BMW Group and AirConsole are partnering to revolutionize in-car entertainment by launching a competition for game developers to create games that are specifically tailored for the in-car experience. The aim is to encourage developers to pioneer in-car gaming and take advantage of the potential of the global game developer community.
Game developers are being invited to submit their ideas and concepts to the competition website from today until the deadline of June 8th, 2023. The competition will be jointly promoted at the Game Developer Conference in San Francisco from March 20th to 24th, 2023. The top four game concepts will be selected as winners and each will receive a prize of €5,000 to develop a prototype.
If the prototype proves promising, AirConsole will fully fund the development of the game, which will then be included on the AirConsole platform. The winners will also be invited to the BMW Group headquarters in Munich to see the result in action.
Stefan Butz, Vice President BMW Group Development for Entertainment and Apps, emphasized that gaming is all about joy and the BMW Group is looking to offer their customers a first-class entertainment experience. Butz is excited about the opportunity for game developers to work with AirConsole to create engaging gaming experiences specifically for vehicles.
Antti Makkonen, Director of Games at AirConsole, noted that gaming in the car is already happening, and game makers need to start creating games specifically designed for the in-car experience, rather than simply bringing existing games to the car. Using phones as controllers inside the car makes playing accessible and fun for everyone, especially considering that not everybody will own a game controller, or that playing directly on the car touch screen can lead to arm fatigue.
AirConsole is a cloud-based platform that allows users to play games on their smartphones while using the phone as a controller, with the game displayed on a larger screen. The platform has been used in a variety of settings, from parties to classrooms.
The BMW Group selected nDreams, the company behind the AirConsole brand, as a partner to bring casual gaming into the car through the BMW Startup Garage program, which supports innovative startups with the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry.
This competition is a significant opportunity for game developers to explore a new field and create innovative gaming experiences that take advantage of the unique features of the in-car environment. The BMW Group and AirConsole hope to inspire developers to pioneer in-car gaming and create games that offer a first-class entertainment experience for drivers and passengers alike.
With gaming’s continued growth in popularity, the potential for games specifically designed for the in-car environment is vast. With the BMW Group and AirConsole leading the charge, we can expect to see exciting developments in this field in the coming years.