GM connectivity subsidiary OnStar hosted the Highway Hero video game tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the gaming taking place exclusively over in-vehicle Wi-Fi equipped in Chevy and GMC vehicles.
OnStar Middle East and OnStar Arabia note the “tournament showcased the power of modern connected vehicles, whose seamless Wi-Fi facilitated uninterrupted gameplay and enhanced passenger experience.”
The tournament involved 10 leading gamers from “the Arab world,” who played a variety of games competitively from the back seats of GM vehicles driving along UAE roads. The video game contestants all used OnStar to maintain connection, while their video game play was featured on a special website set up to publicize the tournament.
The vehicles continued driving throughout the 12-hour tournament, traversing approximately 280 miles (450 kilometers) of UAE roads. The thoroughfares chosen for the event traverse Dubai, Ras al Khaiman, and the Liwa desert.
OnStar Middle East marketing head Shereen Harris remarked that the successful use of OnStar for the entire video game tournament shows how the technology of a “fully connected car” can now turn a vehicle into “a smartphone on wheels.” She added that infotainment systems now make “vehicles into agents of personal time.”
OnStar noted that the automotive connectivity market is currently worth somewhat more than $33 billion, but is projected to experience skyrocketing growth, expanding it to $190 billion in another decade. OnStar’s gaming tournament, demonstrating “uninterrupted online gameplay” from the back seat of vehicles in motion along a highway, was meant to show one application increasing consumer “appetite” for GM Wi-Fi services.
Meanwhile, GM is offering three years of access to the OnStar Remote Access (RPO code PRF) plan as a standard feature on 2024 model-year Buick and GMC vehicles. OnStar Remote Access is already offered as standard on most 2023 Chevy models. Optional on lower trim levels is the OnStar Premium Plan (RPO code R9M), which will be standard on high-level Avenir and Denali trims.
Once the initial three years of service expires owners can continue OnStar coverage via several different subscription choices. Fleet and business customers can select the OnStar connected package for all 2024 model-year vehicles, monitoring odometer readings, fuel level or state of charge, driver at-home charging and diagnostic vehicle trouble codes. The 2024 Chevy Silverado EV will be the first GM vehicle to feature this package.
Image source: GM Arabia
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