Mercedes-Benz Expands In-Car Gaming Experience
In a bold move to cater to the tech-savvy consumer, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled an innovative in-car gaming initiative at this year’s Gamescom. The German automotive giant has forged a partnership with Boosteroid, an independent cloud gaming company, to offer a library of over 1,000 PC games directly within its vehicles. This exciting development was showcased in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class model at a booth hosted by esports organization SK Gaming, highlighting the intersection of luxury automotive engineering and digital entertainment.
Customers who opt for the MBUX Entertainment Package Plus in vehicles equipped with the third-generation MBUX infotainment system will gain access to the Boosteroid app. This collaboration comes on the heels of Microsoft’s deal with Boosteroid in 2023, which aims to bring a plethora of popular PC and console game franchises to the cloud platform, addressing regulatory challenges related to its Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Magnus Östberg, Chief Software Officer at Mercedes-Benz, articulated the company’s vision, stating that a cloud-based approach is the most effective way to deliver gaming experiences to modern automotive platforms. With predictions suggesting that by the 2030s, 90 percent of gamers will prefer cloud gaming, the Boosteroid app is poised to provide seamless access to renowned third-party gaming platforms such as Steam and Epic Games.
Boosteroid operates on a subscription model, allowing users to play previously purchased games across various devices, including desktop and laptop PCs, smartphones, smart TVs, and soon, in vehicles. However, customers will need to subscribe to both Boosteroid and the MBUX Entertainment Package Plus to enjoy this new feature. Mercedes-Benz anticipates that this capability will be available in its cars sold in Europe, North America, and South America by 2025.
For those who relish the idea of gaming in a luxury vehicle, it’s important to note that gamers will need to provide their own Bluetooth gaming controller or compatible smartphone. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz has assured that the in-car gaming experience will only be accessible when the vehicle is parked, addressing potential safety concerns associated with playing games like Fortnite while driving, which could raise significant regulatory issues in Europe and beyond.
As in-car entertainment continues to be a focal point for Mercedes-Benz, the MBUX platform is being reimagined as a comprehensive infotainment system. Meanwhile, European organizations are advocating for car manufacturers to reintroduce non-touch physical controls by 2026 to enhance safety ratings, indicating a dynamic landscape for automotive technology and user experience.
