Tesla recently revised its plans for Steam gaming functionality in its Model S and Model X vehicles. This feature, introduced barely a year and a half ago, is currently being phased out. Tesla hasn’t given an official explanation for dropping Steam gaming support. Statistics probably revealed limited utilization of Steam games among Tesla owners, prompting the firm to conclude that keeping this service was not cost-effective.
The Launch of Steam Gaming
Tesla added Steam gaming capability to the Model S and Model X in December 2022. This capability was driven by the AMD Ryzen CPU, which was added to the Model S/X upgrade in mid-2021. Although all new Model S/X cars were equipped with the AMD Ryzen chip, Steam gaming was only accessible in models with 16GB of RAM, rather than the previously standard 8GB.
Storage and Download Options
To utilize Steam, users needed to download games from the library. Tesla included an 80 GB partition for gaming storage in its vehicles. External storage devices may also be used. Tesla marketed a 1TB solid-state drive for $350. Any solid-state drive worked.
Gaming Experience
Gaming occurred on the front touchscreen. The rear 8-inch panel did not enable gaming but could stream movies while driving. To access Steam, you needed to have a Premium Connectivity subscription. Games were downloaded over Wi-Fi, although Premium Connectivity was still required. This functionality synchronized Steam profiles and game data with the Steam Cloud.
This update supported Bluetooth controllers. Tesla suggested using PlayStation 5 controllers for the greatest experience. Tesla also debuted its controls. However, they have had few updates since the first design reveal.
Expansion and Limitations
The AMD Ryzen CPU is available in the Model Y and Model 3. However, these versions did not acquire Steam support because of the lack of a discrete GPU, as found in the Model S/X. Tesla’s Cybertruck, released last year, also lacked Steam support due to similar hardware constraints.
Discontinuation of Steam Support
A customer expecting delivery of a new Model X recently received a notice from Tesla saying, “Tesla is updating the gaming computer in your Model X, and your vehicle is no longer capable of playing Steam games.” This warning, reported on Reddit, indicates that new Model S and Model X purchasers can no longer access Steam games.
Implications for Current Owners and Future Vehicles
Current owners of the Model S and Model X with Steam support appear unaffected by the change. Tesla has previously deleted apps from new vehicles while leaving them available to current owners, such as the Disney Plus app. Steam is unavailable in the Tesla Cybertruck, and Tesla has no plans to introduce Steam gaming to the Model Y or Model 3 despite their better AMD Ryzen processors.
A Shift in Priorities
Elon Musk had previously touted Steam as a major selling point, highlighting the new GPU’s ability to handle high-performance games like Cyberpunk 2077. However, initial 2021 models lacked the necessary RAM to support these games, and while Musk promised a retrofit, it was not free.
There is doubt that Tesla may be shifting away from incorporating sophisticated gaming hardware into its vehicles. The firm has been focusing on cost-cutting measures and other priorities, such as producing a low-cost vehicle and moving forward with its robotaxi project. High-performance gaming capabilities may no longer be Tesla’s main focus in this environment.
