Mercedes-Benz has just announced the In-Car Gaming Challenge, a competition where developers will create in-car video games for vehicles of the future.
The In-Car Gaming Challenge is open for students, developers, designers, graduates and startup businesses. Mercedes-Benz wants entrants to design games where players can interact with the real world through augmented reality while also having the ability to play with other motorists via car-to-car communication.
Innovators who enter the competition and come up with an entertaining game will have the chance to win a prize of 10,000 euros ($11,320), with the final showcase event set to be held at the University of Stuttgart on June 26.
Mercedes-Benz recently demonstrated the power of its MBUX infotainment system at the Mobile World Congress in a new CLA sedan. Attendees at the event could play SuperTuxKart while in the driver’s seat of the CLA using the steering wheel and pedals as controls as well as other buttons and switches to interact with the game.
The In-Car Gaming Challenge represents more than gaming enthusiasts simply having a chance to show the world their work; it aims to open the doorway to future developments in the world of in-car entertainment.
As autonomous driving technologies become more commonplace, motorists will be able to enjoy a plethora of entertainment options in their vehicles – and one of them will be advanced gaming software. Playing Mario Kart while letting a car drive itself isn’t yet upon us, but it sooner or later it will be, and for gaming enthusiasts, this could turn out to be very exciting.
One can’t help but notice the irony that you might be able to play, say Gran Turismo in your car, but not actually drive the car itself. When that time comes, and it will come, better invest in a quality VR set then.
