In-car infotainment systems with large displays have long appealed to gaming enthusiasts, and Tesla has even integrated its controls with the factory steering wheel. Through its partnership with AirConsole, Volkswagen will offer U.S. car buyers the opportunity to turn their smartphones into game controllers and car monitors into game console screens.
The feature will be available to buyers of Volkswagen models in the U.S. starting from the next model year. The cooperation with AirConsole supports 50 games, most of which are casual games, and some of the game styles are adapted to popular brands. For example, in the same Pac-Man game, game elements included the car manufacturer’s logo, and some artifacts were replaced with images of the brand’s popular models. In some cases, the operation of the car’s interior lighting is synchronized with game action.
To launch the app, you need to be in a strictly parked car and use your smartphone camera to scan the QR code displayed on the multimedia system display. Several people can participate in the game at the same time – the main thing is that each of them has his own smartphone, which turns into a game joystick. The feature will be available on Volkswagen ID Buzz, Atlas, Golf GTI, Golf R and Tiguan sold in the United States starting with the next model year. However, to access it, you have to pay for a premium subscription, which costs $149 per year. It adds online navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, advanced voice assistant, digital radio and access to the myQ Connected Garage ecosystem. The first three months of subscription are free when you purchase the models listed, but ID Buzz offers a 12-month subscription for free.
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