Tesla's Major Shift: Goodbye Steam Gaming, Hello New Horizons in Model S and Model X

Date: May 20, 2024

In a surprising move, Tesla has decided to remove Steam gaming support from its latest Model S and Model X vehicles. This change is a significant departure from their previous trend of integrating high-powered gaming capabilities into their flagship models. If you're eagerly awaiting the delivery of a new Model S or X, you might receive a different entertainment package than you expected.

The Steam Experiment

Introduced as part of the 2022 Holiday Update, Tesla's Steam beta allowed owners of the latest Model S and Model X vehicles, equipped with 16GB of RAM, to dive into a variety of Steam games. Sadly, this feature did not extend to slightly older vehicles with just 8GB of RAM without a costly $2,000 retrofit.

What’s Changed?

The shift away from dedicated graphic processing units (GPUs) is now apparent as Tesla's Cybertruck, and the newest Model S and X vehicles, no longer feature these powerful components. Notably, the Cybertruck also made headlines for its absence of a dedicated GPU and its limited 8GB RAM, mirroring the specifications of the Model 3 and Model Y equipped with AMD Ryzen chips. This suggests a broader trend within Tesla towards cost reduction and hardware simplification.

The Future of Steam on Tesla

Despite the powerful AMD Ryzen RDNA-2 APUs in every Tesla MCU, the vehicles now lack sufficient RAM to support Steam. With the removal of GPUs from these top models, it's likely the RAM in newer versions will see reductions too. Therefore, the future of the Steam Beta looks bleak unless a modified version that can operate with only 8GB of RAM and no dedicated GPU is introduced. After all, it seems logical that hardcore gaming on a car's infotainment system is not a top priority for Tesla owners.

Gaming Alternatives on the Horizon

All is not lost for Tesla gaming enthusiasts. The popular Tesla Arcade Mode continues to feature fan-favorites like Cuphead, Sky Force Reloaded, and Vampire Survivors. Furthermore, while Tesla might lag in implementing Google Casting and Apple Airplay support, it could soon offer HDMI pass-through support via the Glovebox USB-C port, allowing users to connect their devices and enjoy gaming on Tesla’s large displays.

Just imagine enhancing your gaming or multimedia experience on the enormous 19-inch screen available on newer Tesla models! Such an upgrade would bridge the gap between in-car entertainment and home-based systems.

Tesla’s Compute Power

Interestingly, during Tesla’s 2024 Earnings Call, Elon Musk hinted at another innovative use of the vehicles' compute power. Musk suggested that the idle computing capabilities of non-driving Tesla vehicles could be aggregated and sold as a service, much like Amazon Web Services. This would not only generate revenue but also offer vehicle owners a potential financial return.

A New Direction

While some may view the removal of Steam gaming support as a step back, it’s worth considering the broader strategy. Tesla appears to be focusing on enhancing core functionalities and optimizing hardware for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This could lead to more refined, reliable vehicles better suited for the broader market.

In summary, Tesla’s decision to phase out Steam gaming support in its top models might be disappointing for some enthusiasts, but it signals a shift towards a new vision of in-car entertainment and practical innovation. As the brand continues to evolve, it’s certain that more surprises are in store for its dedicated community. Keep an eye out for the next big update!