As a driver, I can tell you that hell is not other people: it's other drivers. Seriously, in a sane world, you would not believe how many people there are on the road who should be barred from getting behind the wheel. Just a few weeks ago I lost my wing mirror to a car that cut into my lane at 50 mph. So what motorists really need is a little more distraction.

At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, BMW is making a big splash with its plans for in-car entertainment and a "digital customer experience." BMW's new 5 Series, which the company calls AirConsole, uses a Bluetooth-connected cell phone as the controller as the first model to incorporate a platform that allows car occupants to play games on the "infotainment" screen.

AirConsole boasts split-screen play and a variety of third-party titles have been announced, but we are not talking about Baldur's Gate 3 here: this is more like mobile gaming on a larger screen. Racing 2, a retro-style racing game for two players. [BMW is] synonymous with the ultimate driving machine and the ultimate digital experience. At CES, we'll be showing off more content, more customization, and more games." At CES, we will showcase more content, more customization, and more games. And we look to the future of human-machine interaction with augmented reality and reliable artificial intelligence.

All of this can be accessed through BMW's ConnectedDrive Store, which, like BMW's dubious attempts at interior design, boils down to one thing: "Give me more money." All new BMW models will have this functionality, but it will be All new BMW models will have this feature, but only owners who subscribe to BMW's Digital Premium will be able to take advantage of it. Digital Premium includes a navigation system, which is such a great feature that it's hard to believe it's paid for. The automaker's generosity knows no bounds, and you are given a 90-day trial period before signing up.

This is all part of BMW's operating system9 and includes streaming video, a navigation system (if you subscribe!) ), AR glasses for drivers that work with the system to provide information on the go, automatic parking, and an AI voice assistant are also boasted.

Hmmm. Not that I'm in a position to buy a new BMW, but if I were, this stuff is more of an eyesore than an attractive set of features. I'd have to have my kids kicking around about what happened in the game, or arguing over who gets to pick the next show, but AR glasses ...... The last thing you want when operating a vehicle is to have unnecessary distractions in your field of vision.

But perhaps I am a Luddite! A safe, slow driver who has never been involved in an accident. Autonomous vehicles are clearly where the industry has been headed for a long time, and the inevitable flip side of that will be coming up with new and exciting ways to entertain occupants and even drivers. many people admire BMWs, and I don't think the fact that you can play video games in a BMW is why.

PC Gamer's coverage of CES 2024 was published in cooperation with Asus Republic of Gamers.