Access to Steam video games is disappearing from the most expensive Tesla cars, namely the Model S and Model X. The feature was launched in 2022.
When Tesla presented the redesign of its Model S and Model X in 2021, it promised graphics power comparable to the new consoles of the time – read: the PS5. A few months later, we were able to see this thanks to a new feature in a car, namely access to gourmet video games via Steam. We even tested it at the beginning of 2023, aboard a Model S Plaid. This functionality will disappear, reports Electrek in an article published on May 17, 2024.
Prospective Model X and/or Model S owners received the following notification prior to delivery: “ Tesla is updating your Model X’s gaming computer and your vehicle will not be able to play Steam games. Other entertainment applications are not affected “, we can read. A priori, the models already delivered are not affected by the withdrawal of Steam – but a simple update could deprive them, in the long term.
The Model S and Model X no longer have the power of the PS5?
Everything suggests that the Model S and Model X which leave the factories have a less detailed technical sheet than the previous units. This is what a quick glance at the presentation page of the two electric cars suggests. Previously, it was clearly stated that they claimed “ quality comparable to the most recent consoles “. Today, the gaming tab is content with a simple: “ Play different games on your vehicle’s touchscreen. »
In the same way, we could see images of ambitious games like The Witchet 3: Wild Hunt (accessible via Steam). From now on, we see titles on a more modest scale, directly integrated into the car (example: Cuphead). Tesla would therefore have lowered its ambitions regarding gaming on board its vehicles, knowing that the Model 3 and the Model Y, its most affordable products, have never had access to Steam.
The removal of the graphics chip offering power “ comparable to PS5 » would allow Tesla to make some savings, without really penalizing the overall experience. Steam remains a niche feature, aimed at specific use cases (killing time during a long load, which isn’t supposed to happen very often). Perhaps, too, the data collected by the manufacturer identified a lack of interest in an expensive feature. On paper, being able to play your Steam games would be especially interesting in an autonomous driving context, which is far from being a reality.
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