After decades of selling the ultimate driving machine, BMW is expanding its resume to include the ultimate slot machine. The company announced that starting in 2023, it will offer the AirConsole in-car gaming platform developed by Switzerland-based N-Dream in some of its cars.
BMW explained that the AirConsole platform goes well with the Curved Display available in models such as the iX crossover. While there are few details, it doesn’t sound like playing a game in your BMW requires investments in hardware customization; the games are beamed to the car over the air, run through the infotainment system, and are designed to be played with a smartphone as a controller.
There is no word on what titles motorists and their passengers will be able to play in a BMW. AirConsole lists over 180 games on its website, including classics like checkers, Mario Kart-style racing games, and a casino simulator called Drunk Casino. We don’t know which BMWs will be compatible with in-car gaming, but the company told Autoblog that the new 7 Series will be one of the first cars to adopt this technology.
“AirConsole gaming requires computing capabilities that can only be achieved with a hardware update to the head unit, which will be available for the first time in the new 7 Series and will be rolled out to other models starting [in 2023]’, a BMW spokesperson confirms to Autoblog.
Looking beyond the big 7, it’s reasonable to assume that this technology will be available on electric car BMWs. Nothing official, but you’re more likely to want to spend time gaming waiting for an i3 to charge than playing Laguna Seca in an M3.
BMW will roll out in-car gaming in 2023. Pricing information and additional details will be announced in the coming months.