It was last October that BMW previewed the idea of casual gaming as part of its new interiors through the AirConsole app. The premise was incredibly simple, requiring no more technology than a smartphone and the new Curved Display. No wires, no pairing, no faff - a bit of fun when stuck going nowhere in a car, as happens all too often. Having said it would be in cars from 2023, BMW has now confirmed the new 5 Series will launch with AirConsole.
Sounds entertaining, too. All occupants will have to do is scan a QR code on the car’s AirConsole app, which will load up ‘games that are easy to pick up and play and intuitive to control’. So maybe not the epic adventures suitable for a Twitch stream, but probably fun for all the family while waiting for charge - which is obviously an issue the manufacturer is seeking to 'gamify' in the most conspicuous way possible. (BMW reckons the app can support ‘multiple players simultaneously’.) It launches in the 5 Series and i5 with 15 titles including ‘Music Guess’, ‘Overcooked’, ‘Golazo’ and ‘Go Kart Go’, with the games catalogue set to expand over time. The range of BMWs available with the AirConsole app will grow, too.
To mark the launch, BMW has wrapped an i5 in a gaming-inspired livery; the large pixel look is ‘clearly recognisable as an homage to the now iconic 8-bir era of computer games’, with colours inspired by the AirConsole titles. Note as well how the wrap incorporates bits of game controllers; won’t be long before that’s another bit of tech history to explain to the kids as they beat you at Golazo. At least nobody will hear family arguments outside the car...
