I don’t think I saw this coming!! But the next time you’re stuck waiting in your car, you might actually look forward to it. Why, you ask? Well, it’s because Xbox gaming is rolling inside certain vehicles. And no, I’m not talking about a clunky console strapped to your glovebox. This is cloud gaming, neatly built into the car’s infotainment system! I can hear gamers everywhere cheering right now!
Xbox fans, in particular, can rejoice. Travel no longer means saying goodbye to your console. That’s because Microsoft has teamed up with LG to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming into vehicles.
Excited to know which cars are debuting this feature? Keep reading.
Which Rides Are Showing It Off First?
So, here’s the big reveal you’ve been waiting for! The first cars to get this aren’t from BMW, Mercedes, or Tesla. It’s actually Kia models in Europe that are likely to be the first adopters of this feature.
Surprising? Maybe. But it also makes sense, since Kia’s been quietly climbing the tech ladder, and this move is sure to give them an edge in a very crowded EV and smart-car market.
How It Works
Essentially, Xbox Cloud Gaming will make use of LG’s webOS for the Automotive Content Platform (ACP). That means the hardware inside the car doesn’t need to be powerful enough to run Halo or Forza—it just needs a good screen, solid internet, and webOS ACP.
If you’ve ever tried Xbox Cloud Gaming on a phone or tablet, the experience is similar here. The games stream directly from Microsoft’s servers, so the car doesn’t need to install massive files or worry about storage. All you need is:
- A good internet connection (ideally 5G or fast Wi-Fi).
- An Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
- A compatible controller (some games can use touch, but controllers make it better).
Passengers can play while the car is parked, or even on the move, as long as the screen is available for them, not the driver, of course.
How This Affects Your Daily Drive
Think about family road trips. Instead of everyone fighting over the tablet battery life or trying to download movies in advance, passengers can just hop into the Xbox app and stream games. For parents, that means kids are busy. For adults, it’s a way to relax while waiting for a charge at an EV station.
And if this takes off, it won’t stop with Kia. LG’s webOS ACP is used by multiple automakers, so it’s only a matter of time before other brands plug into the same system.
Challenges Ahead
Of course, it’s not going to be all smooth sailing. There are a few hurdles that could impact how quickly this concept is accepted by car owners:
- Connectivity issues: Internet speed is crucial for cloud gaming. Poor speeds could kill a good game. In rural areas or spots with poor mobile coverage, lag could make gaming frustrating.
- Data costs: Streaming games can eat up a lot of data. Drivers may need to think about how this impacts their mobile plans.
- Subscription costs: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate isn’t free, so not every passenger will be willing to pay for access.
- Safety concerns: Automakers will need to be very careful that screens stay out of the driver’s reach while the car is moving.
These challenges don’t mean the idea isn’t great. It just goes to show that this isn’t going to turn every car magically into a gaming hub. It’s more likely to be a gradual process of trial and error.
FAQs
Nope. Everything runs through Xbox Cloud Gaming, so the heavy lifting happens on Microsoft’s servers.
You’ll need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to access the library of games. The car doesn’t come with free access.
Streaming games uses the infotainment screen and internet connection, but it’s not as power-hungry as running high-end graphics locally. You will experience a bigger drain on your data connection.
It’s launching in select European Kia cars running LG’s webOS ACP. More models are expected later.
No—this is strictly for passengers while driving. Of course, the driver can play when the car is parked. Safety always comes first.
Wrapping It Up
So, yes, Xbox is officially moving into cars, starting with Kia’s lineup in Europe. It’s a novel idea that promises to turn downtime in the car into something more fun. Still, issues like connectivity and subscription costs could shape how quickly it spreads.
I can already imagine long EV charging breaks turning into gaming sessions with friends or family.
If you’re curious about how car tech is reshaping the way we use our vehicles, don’t forget to check out Ask About Cars for more stories like this.
