• The PAC-MAN Championship Edition can now be experienced exclusively in over 300,000 Volkswagen vehicles in Europe
• Immersive in-car gaming: Volkswagen is the first brand to bring to market dynamic background lighting during the gaming experience
• Classic PAC-MAN elements such as fruits become wheel rims, silhouettes of iconic Volkswagens from the Beetle to the Golf IV R32 and brands such as GTI or R

Volkswagen is expanding its gaming offering in selected models.

The PAC-MAN Championship Edition is now available in the optional AirConsole In-Car App for playing on the infotainment display in a parked vehicle. A smartphone serves as the controller.

Volkswagen is the first automotive manufacturer to dynamically combine the new game with the vehicle’s background lighting and, for compatible ID. models, also with ID. Light as an option.

This means that an even more immersive gaming experience is created specifically by the interior lighting responding to the game content and inputs by the players.

The PAC-MAN Championship Edition retains the well-known and popular game principle from the 1980s: PAC-MAN eats dots in a labyrinth while trying to avoid being caught by ghosts. Once all the dots have been eaten, the next level begins. The icons for bonus points and power pellets have been redesigned.

More points are awarded for touching silhouettes of the iconic Volkswagen Beetle, VW Bus and Golf IV R32, brands such as GTI, GTX or R and Volkswagen wheel rims. Anyone who wants to fight the Ghost Gang should look for power pellets in the form of the Volkswagen brand logo.

AirConsole is the world’s first gaming platform specifically designed for cars. The in-car app can transform compatible Volkswagen vehicles into a gaming station including the infotainment, sound and background lighting system.

The portfolio of games is tailored to casual players of any age. With the implementation of the further gaming offering, Volkswagen is also responding to customer feedback from drivers.

With partners N-Dream and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., in-car gaming becomes a new social experience, and playing a classic game such as PAC-MAN connects generations. Volkswagen is additionally further enhancing the overall digital experience.

The AirConsole in-car app is available in many European countries in the ID. models ID.7, ID.5, ID.4 and ID.3 (from ID. Software 4.0 in each case) as well as for the Tayron, Tiguan, Passat, Golf Variant and Golf models from model year 2025.

Playing while parked requires a Volkswagen ID user account, an active VW Connect Plus contract and an active internet connection on the smartphone.

The AirConsole in-car app must be downloaded from the In-Car Shop before it can be used for the first time.

This collaboration will initially bring gaming to several Volkswagen models, including the ID.7, ID.5, ID.4, and ID.3 series, as well as the new Passat, Tiguan, Golf, and Golf Estate. 

Through the vehicle’s infotainment system, which acts as a gaming console, passengers can enjoy a variety of games with their smartphones doubling as controllers. This setup transforms the car into a mobile gaming hub, offering an innovative way for passengers to pass the time.

Launching initially in select European markets in mid-September, the AirConsole platform will allow passengers to engage in multiplayer gaming using their smartphones. 

The connection between the phone and the car is seamlessly established by scanning a QR code displayed on the vehicle’s infotainment screen. Once connected, players can dive into a gaming experience that involves the entire vehicle, as even rear-seat passengers can join in during stops.

Volkswagen is working to enhance its in-car experience, making travel more enjoyable by offering entertainment that can be shared among all passengers. 

The feature is expected to be a hit, especially for those long drives where keeping passengers entertained is often a challenge. By the end of 2024, Volkswagen plans to expand the range of available games and extend the service to additional European countries.

The AirConsole gaming experience is designed for casual gamers of all ages, ensuring that everyone in the vehicle can participate. The platform supports both solo and multiplayer modes, allowing for flexibility depending on the number of passengers. Importantly, the feature can only be used when the vehicle is stationary, ensuring safety remains a priority.

Through this partnership with AirConsole, Volkswagen is innovating and enhancing the driving experience, keeping up with the automotive industry’s continued evolution, while incorporating digital and interactive elements into vehicles is becoming more important.