Audi launches in-car gaming with Mattel’s exclusive Pictionary game

No controller? No problem. Thanks to a new partnership between AirConsole, the interactive gaming platform developed by N-Dream, and Audi, passengers in select Audi vehicles can now dive into a lineup of social, party-ready games with no console required. Starting today, drivers can download the AirConsole app directly from the Audi Application Store, unlocking access to a catalog of titles that can be played directly from the passenger seat… or even the backseat. Your smartphone? That’s the controller.

One of the standout titles available at launch is Pictionary™ Car Party, a road trip-friendly twist on the classic drawing game from Mattel. Up to four players can join in using their own devices, making it easy to turn any commute or weekend drive into an interactive game night.

Keep Gaming While You’re Moving

Until now, most in-car gaming was limited to when the vehicle was parked. But Audi’s new Active Privacy Mode flips the script. In models with a front passenger display, the system creates a digital curtain that hides gameplay from the driver’s view, allowing safe, distraction-free fun while the car is in motion.

The feature is rolling out in Audi’s A5, Q5, A6, A6 e-tron, and Q6 e-tron series with Android-based infotainment systems. And yes, it’s live now, globally, wherever Audi vehicles are sold.

Pictionary Turns 40…With a Brand-New Road Map

To celebrate 40 years of Pictionary™, Mattel partnered with AirConsole and Audi to create Pictionary™ Car Party, an exclusive, in-car version of the quickdraw classic. It’s designed for group play, works with smartphones, and keeps safety at the core by placing all control in the hands of the front passenger.

More Than Just One Game

While Pictionary™ is the headliner, it’s just one of 14 titles launching with AirConsole on Audi vehicles. The lineup also includes hits like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? from Sony Pictures Television, Overcooked from Team17, and UNO® Car Party! from Mattel. Games span racing, sports, trivia, and more with frequent updates promised.

How It Works

AirConsole runs natively through the Audi infotainment system. Players simply download the app from the Audi Application Store, scan the on-screen QR code with their phone, and they’re ready to play. It’s fast, wireless, and made for the road. It’s perfect for family trips or just killing time in traffic.

What We Can Expect

• Full passenger display support with Audi’s Active Privacy Mode to ensure driver safety during gameplay.

• Four-player support, with each player connecting their smartphone as a game controller.

• Exclusive titles like Pictionary™ Car Party, with gameplay designed specifically for the in-car experience.

• 14 games available at launch, including UNO® Car Party!, Overcooked, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

• Seamless setup through the Audi Application Store and instant smartphone syncing via QR code.

• Frequent content updates from AirConsole to keep gameplay fresh and varied.

• Available now in Audi A5, Q5, A6, A6 e-tron, and Q6 e-tron models with Android infotainment, worldwide.

My Thoughts

I’ll admit, my first reaction was concern about driver distraction. But Audi and AirConsole thought of that, implementing a clever Active Privacy Mode to keep gameplay strictly in the passenger lane. That alone earns some respect. Then I saw the launch lineup: 14 games, and not just filler. These are titles I’d actually want to play, including Overcooked, UNO® Car Party!, and Pictionary™ reimagined for road trips.

This would’ve been a game-changer for me back in the day. I used to make the long haul from the Detroit suburbs to Minnesota with my family every year. Something like this would’ve made the drive way more enjoyable for everyone, especially the kids. Honestly, if this feature had been around, I might’ve seriously considered stretching my budget to lease an Audi just for the entertainment factor.