Microsoft’s Xbox and LG’s PlayWare car software solution are teaming up to bring the former company’s cloud gaming features to “select vehicles.” According to Xbox, soon “passengers in internet-connected vehicles will be able to stream and play games directly from the Xbox app.”
The vehicles capable of performing the task are not yet known, but they’ll support LG’s Automotive Content Platform, which is powered by webOS—the same software that runs LG’s TVs. The solution, appropriately known as PlayWare, offers “a broad array of high-quality and diverse global and regional content, including video streaming, music, gaming, and location-based services.”
You’re going to PlayWare?!
Xbox is promoting this as gamers have “more choice than ever in how they enjoy their games,” with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers (in supported regions) gaining immediate access to the feature when it launches. There are tons of terms and conditions, some of which are out of reach for South African gamers. Xbox Cloud Gaming, an international feature that isn’t supported here, is the main prerequisite.
Follow that up with an internet-connected car, specifically one with an “automotive data plan” capable of using the Cloud Gaming service, and the barrier to entry climbs higher. Internet-connected vehicles are still relative rarities in South Africa. Finally, the vehicle must be compatible with PlayWare’s software package.
The original Microsoft announcement doesn’t go into vehicle detail, but the obvious first choices for this new way to play games on the go (literally) will be Kia and Hyundai. South Korean companies tend to be rather friendly when they’re not in direct competition with each other.
You’re more likely to get Xbox Cloud Gaming on an LG TV in South Africa, provided Microsoft ever gets around to supporting the feature in this country. Still, some folks will get to pass long drives playing Gears of War in the backseats of (so far) unnamed vehicles that probably mark their origins to Seoul. It just won’t be you.
