UNO Car Party! debuts at gamescom 2024 in Cologne
Mattel, AirConsole, BMW Group in partnership
Mattel, AirConsole, and BMW Group are collaborating for the world premiere of UNO Car Party!, a new in-car gaming experience set to debut at gamescom 2024 in Cologne, Germany.
The innovative adaptation of Mattel’s UNO card game will be showcased for the first time at the AirConsole booth (Hall 10.1, Stand B028 – C029) in the BMW X3, offering a unique gaming experience tailored specifically for vehicles.
The collaboration marks the latest milestone in BMW Group and AirConsole’s ongoing partnership, which began in 2022 with the aim of pioneering in-car gaming. Since then, the platform has introduced various popular games, including the world premiere of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in collaboration with Sony Pictures Television.
From August 21-25, 2024, UNO Car Party! will begin rolling out to over 500,000 BMW and MINI vehicles via the AirConsole platform. This expansion promises to transform in-car entertainment by integrating the classic game into the driving experience, allowing passengers to engage in dynamic gameplay while the vehicle is stationary.
Stephan Durach, Senior Vice President of BMW Group Development Connected Company and Technical Operations, said: “We continue to enhance the digital experience for our customers. Partnering with AirConsole and Mattel allows us to transform in-car gaming into a new social experience. I am thrilled to offer a family-favourite game like UNO for this exciting innovation.”
In-car environment
UNO Car Party! is designed to enhance the in-car environment. Up to four players can participate using their personal devices connected through AirConsole’s unique game controller system.
Players can enjoy the game’s familiar, universal gameplay on the vehicle’s infotainment system, ensuring the experience remains engaging regardless of language or culture. Notably, the gameplay is restricted to when the car is in the park, ensuring safety during use.
Anthony Cliquot, CEO of AirConsole, highlighted the innovative aspects of the new game: “UNO beautifully illustrates the strengths of AirConsole with a game accessible to everyone, a bespoke integration to the car hardware, and our phone-controlled gaming experience.
“Each player can view their cards on their phone while interacting with the game through the car’s infotainment system. This setup creates a gaming experience that would be impossible with just touchscreen or Bluetooth controls.”
Erika Winterholler, Head of Business Development, Digital Gaming at Mattel, added: “UNO is perfect for in-car gaming because it is highly engaging and brings people together. Its simple rules are easy to learn and endlessly captivating, making it ideal for short pit stops and extended play sessions.
“We are excited to bring this spirit of fun to consumers in a new and innovative way with our partners at BMW and AirConsole.”
UNO’s new in-car version will be available on BMW and MINI models featuring the BMW/MINI Operating System 9 with BMW Digital Premium/MINI Connected Package and BMW Operating System 8.5 with BMW ConnectedDrive Professional.
Featured image: From August 21, 2024, UNO Car Party! rolls out to over 500,000 BMW and MINI vehicles via the AirConsole platform. Credit: Mattel
