Mattel – Tech | Business | Economy https://techeconomy.ng Tech | Business | Economy Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:12:29 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://techeconomy.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/cropped-256Px-32x32.png Mattel – Tech | Business | Economy https://techeconomy.ng 32 32 Mattel, BMW, and AirConsole Unveil ‘Hot Wheels: Xtreme Overdrive’ as Exclusive In-Car Game for BMW Drivers https://techeconomy.ng/bmw-mattel-airconsole-hot-wheels-xtreme-overdrive/ https://techeconomy.ng/bmw-mattel-airconsole-hot-wheels-xtreme-overdrive/#respond Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:12:29 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=170138 Mattel, BMW, and AirConsole have joined forces to launch Hot Wheels: Xtreme Overdrive, a new in-car racing game designed exclusively for BMW vehicles built with AirConsole. 

The announcement came at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, where the game was also made available for live play at BMW’s exhibition booth.

The release will enhance drivers and passengers’ experience in digital entertainment inside vehicles. Following the popularity of UNO Car Party!, Hot Wheels: Xtreme Overdrive brings one of Mattel’s most iconic toy brands into the digital space, combining BMW’s futuristic automotive technology with AirConsole’s growing in-car gaming platform.

At the heart of the game is the “Panoramic Drive” track, a visually striking course built within the digital model of BMW’s Vision Neue Klasse X. Players can race a virtual version of the BMW iX3 alongside classic Hot Wheels cars, fusing the legacy of the world’s top-selling toy brand with BMW’s next-generation design.

The game will remain exclusive to BMW owners until June 2026. Players can unlock and personalise vehicles, including legendary Hot Wheels models, while competing in various modes such as Quick Race, Cup Mode, and Custom Track. 

Up to four players can participate simultaneously using their smartphones as controllers, making it a shared experience for families and friends on the move.

Cars are no longer just about driving them, they’re becoming entertainment hubs. BMW’s continuous investment into exclusive content with AirConsole is a testament of in-car entertainment’s growing importance,” said Anthony Cliquot, CEO of N-Dream, the developer behind AirConsole.

“With BMW and Mattel, we’re proving that the passenger experience can be as iconic as the drive itself.”

BMW and N-Dream have been working together since 2022 to integrate casual gaming into BMW’s infotainment systems. AirConsole’s platform now offers more than 30 titles across genres including racing, arcade, sports, and party games. 

Some of the most recognised names include Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, PAC-MAN Championship Edition, and UNO Car Party!

To access the new title, BMW drivers can open AirConsole from the vehicle’s infotainment screen, scan a QR code, and connect their smartphones as controllers. 

The feature is currently supported in BMW and MINI models running Operating System 9 with the BMW Digital Premium or MINI Connected Package, as well as in vehicles using Operating System 8.5 with the BMW ConnectedDrive Professional. 

The integration will also extend to future models using BMW’s upcoming Operating System X, starting with the new BMW iX3.

The launch asserts a strategy that blends luxury driving with digital innovation.

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AirConsole, Audi Bring In-Car Gaming to Latest Models https://techeconomy.ng/airconsole-audi-bring-in-car-gaming-to-latest-models/ https://techeconomy.ng/airconsole-audi-bring-in-car-gaming-to-latest-models/#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:36:58 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=161868 AirConsole and Audi mark a new milestone in in-car entertainment with the official launch of AirConsole’s interactive gaming platform in selected Audi vehicles.

This brings fun and social games that everyone in the car can play together using their smartphones. 

Starting today, Audi owners can access a rich selection of games, including Mattel’s Pictionary™ Car Party, directly through their in-car infotainment system. 

In models equipped with a passenger display, Audi’s Active Privacy Mode—a unique digital curtain that blocks the screen from the driver to prevent distraction—allows the front passenger to enjoy gaming while the vehicle is in motion. 

Previously limited to parked scenarios, in-car gaming is now a seamless part of the Audi experience, keeping non-driving passengers entertained throughout the ride.

This is a game-changer for in-car entertainment. With Audi, we’re redefining what’s possible inside a vehicle—bringing gaming into motion and making every journey more social and fun,” says Anthony Cliquot, CEO at N-Dream, the makers of AirConsole. 

By enabling gameplay on the passenger screen in a way that prioritizes safety—by not distracting the driver—we’re taking a bold yet responsible step toward a future where cars are not just modes of transport, but platforms for shared digital experiences.”

The feature is now available in the Audi A5, Q5, A6, A6 e-tron, and Q6 e-tron model series equipped with Android-based infotainment systems, in all markets where Audi operates. This rollout reinforces Audi’s commitment to cutting-edge digital innovation that enhances modern mobility.

Pictionary Celebrates 40 Years—Now Behind the Wheel

Audi and AirConsole, in collaboration with Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT), a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, introduces Pictionary Car Party, an exclusive in-car edition of Mattel’s original quickdraw game. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Pictionary has been reimagined for in-car play. 

Up to four players can connect via personal devices, making every trip more social and engaging.  This new format marks the next chapter in Pictionary’s legacy, bringing its creativity and excitement to a fun travel experience.

Erika Winterholler, head of Business Development, Digital Gaming at Mattel, said: “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with AirConsole and work with the team at Audi to bring Pictionary Car Party! to Audi’s infotainment systems. This collaboration is a game-changer, letting non-driving passengers join in on fun, interactive play using their smartphones. 

“Most importantly, the front passenger can safely control the game without distracting the driver, ensuring that entertainment and safety go hand-in-hand. This is the future of social gaming on the move, making every journey more enjoyable.”

13 More Games, Tailored for the Car

Beyond Pictionary Car Party, the AirConsole catalog features additional games across multiple genres, including racing, sports, trivia, and party games. 

Highlights include Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? from Sony Pictures Television, Overcooked from Team17, and UNO® Car Party! from Mattel, Inc. With frequent updates and new content, Audi passengers can look forward to an ever-expanding selection of interactive entertainment.

Seamless Gameplay with Audi and AirConsole — Powered by Smartphones as Controllers

AirConsole is now available through the Audi Application Store, which features apps specifically designed for in-vehicle use. Getting started is simple: users first download the AirConsole app directly through the infotainment system. 

After that, AirConsole makes it easy for passengers to jump into the action by using their smartphones as game controllers. A quick scan of a QR code on the vehicle’s screen instantly connects players, transforming every ride into an immersive gaming experience. 

Whether it’s a long road trip or a quick city drive, Audi now offers a new way to stay connected, entertained, and engaged on the go. Buckle up—the game is just getting started.

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