Munich, August 21, 2024 – An exciting innovation in the field of in-car entertainment is on the horizon: from today, “UNO Car Party” is available in more than 500,000 BMW and MINI vehicles. This version of the globally popular card game UNO, specially developed for infotainment, was made possible by a cooperation between Mattel, AirConsole and the BMW Group.
Premiere at Gamescom 2024
The official unveiling of “UNO Car Party” took place at Gamescom 2024 in Cologne, the world’s largest event for video games. Visitors will have the opportunity to try out the game live in the new BMW X3. This will show how the classic UNO game has been integrated into the vehicle environment in an innovative way.
“UNO Car Party” is accessible via the AirConsole platform, which allows games to be played directly via the car’s infotainment system. The special feature here is that the players’ smartphones serve as controllers. Each player can see their cards on their own cell phone screen, while the central gameplay is shown on the vehicle’s display.
This enables a seamless, intuitive game that takes full advantage of modern vehicle technology. Up to four players can take part in a game, and the game is particularly suitable for short breaks during a journey or longer waiting times such as loading breaks. However, the vehicle must be parked for safety reasons before the game can be started.
UNO Car Party: Statements from the partners
Stephan Durach, Senior Vice President of BMW Group Development Connected Company and Technical Operations, is enthusiastic about the new development: “We are continuously increasing the value of the digital experience for our customers. Thanks to our partners AirConsole and Mattel, in-car gaming is becoming a new social experience and I am delighted to be able to offer such a popular game as UNO for this exciting innovation.”
There is also great anticipation at Mattel. Erika Winterholler, Head of Business Development for Digital Gaming at Mattel, emphasizes: “UNO is perfect for in-car gaming because it brings people together and its simple rules make it easily accessible. Whether for short stops or longer play sessions, UNO Car Party makes every journey a fun experience.”
UNO – a classic rediscovered
The release of “UNO Car Party” marks another milestone in the partnership between the BMW Group and AirConsole. The two companies have been working together since 2022 to bring innovative gaming experiences to vehicles. Previously, popular titles such as “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” were released in a special version for BMW vehicles.
Since its introduction over five decades ago, UNO has become one of the most well-known and popular card games in the world. With its simple yet exciting gameplay, the game has delighted generations of players and remains a favorite for families and friends. With the introduction of “UNO Car Party”, Mattel is now taking the game to a whole new setting.
Availability in current BMWs
To enjoy “UNO Car Party”, you must have a vehicle with AirConsole compatibility. A BMW or MINI with a version 9 operating system is required, and the game also requires membership of BMW Digital Premium or the MINI Connected package. The game is now available in over 500,000 BMW and MINI vehicles.
