Future road trips might look a lot more fun. Xbox and LG are joining forces to bring cloud gaming right into your car’s entertainment system. This team-up means passengers will soon be able to play a huge number of games while on the go.
Gaming on the Go
The two tech giants are building cloud gaming right into LG’s in-car entertainment setup. Certain car models with internet access will get a special Xbox app. This means you can play games directly on the car’s built-in screens.
To jump into the action, you’ll need an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. This subscription lets you stream many games from the Game Pass collection. It also lets you play titles you already own, right there in the car. Of course, a steady internet connection in the vehicle is a must. You’ll also need a compatible Bluetooth controller to get playing.
Bringing games to cars naturally brings up a big question: safety. There’s a real worry that drivers might get distracted by gaming, even if the car is just stuck in traffic. A study from 2020 already warned about more drivers playing games while behind the wheel. Older research also showed how new car screens can pull a driver’s focus away from the road.
However, both LG and Xbox quickly made it clear this feature is strictly for passengers. Xbox said in a statement that the goal is simple: to make journeys more fun. They want to help people pass the time and stay entertained. This includes waiting at an electric vehicle charging station or keeping passengers busy on a long road trip.
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Learning from Past Lessons
Gaming in cars has sparked debate before. Back in 2021, reports came out that Tesla allowed drivers to play games on the main screen, even while the car was moving. This feature, called “Passenger Play,” used to only work when the car was parked. But a software update changed that.
This caught the attention of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), America’s road safety agency. Tesla quickly responded by turning off the feature whenever the car was in motion. This earlier situation, which led to a government investigation, highlights the importance of keeping drivers focused on the road.