Tesla Is Removing Steam Gaming in New Model S and Model X Vehicles
Tesla Axes Steam Gaming: Cost-Cutting Move?
Tesla is discontinuing Steam gaming support in new Model S and Model X vehicles, a feature previously available through a beta program for cars with 16GB of RAM. This move may suggest a broader strategy to phase out dedicated GPUs and reduce RAM in Tesla's high-end models, aligning with potential cost reductions and hardware optimization. Additionally, Tesla's latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) software update introduces a more lenient strike system for monitoring driver attentiveness, enhancing the FSD experience.
How might the reduction in RAM and removal of GPUs in newer Tesla models affect the overall performance and functionality of the vehicles?
The reduction in RAM and removal of GPUs from newer Tesla models, as indicated in the original news article, could have several implications for the performance and functionality of the vehicles, particularly concerning in-car entertainment and computing capabilities1.
Impact on In-Car Entertainment: The removal of Steam support in the newer Model S and Model X vehicles suggests a significant shift in Tesla's approach to in-car entertainment. Previously, Tesla integrated Steam gaming with 16GB of RAM in its 2022 Holiday Update, which was a highlight feature for entertainment. The reduction to 8GB of RAM, as seen in the Cybertruck and possibly newer Model S and X vehicles, along with the absence of dedicated GPUs, could limit the types of games and the quality of gaming experiences Tesla can offer15. This change might make the in-car entertainment system less appealing to tech-savvy consumers or gaming enthusiasts who valued these advanced features.
Functional Limitations: The exclusion of dedicated GPUs and reduced RAM might also restrict the overall computing capabilities of Tesla vehicles. GPUs are crucial for handling intensive graphics processes and could potentially impact the visual rendering capabilities needed for other in-car functions beyond gaming, such as high-definition video playback or advanced user interface features1. Furthermore, GPUs and higher RAM capacities could play a role in supporting complex machine learning computations locally in the vehicle, which might be essential as Tesla continues to develop and deploy more advanced autonomous driving features and other smart functionalities26.
Future Computing Strategies: Tesla's strategy might be shifting towards more centralized or cloud-based processing, especially with Elon Musk's mention of using parked cars' computing power for external tasks. This approach could compensate for the hardware limitations in individual vehicles but would rely heavily on continuous connectivity and central processing, changing how Tesla's vehicles compute and interact with data.
Overall, the reduction in RAM and removal of GPUs could lead to a scaling back of certain high-end features and a reevaluation of how computing tasks are managed within Tesla's ecosystem, potentially impacting user experience and the attractiveness of Tesla vehicles to certain consumer segments.
Why is Tesla removing Steam support from its newer Model S and Model X vehicles?
Tesla is removing Steam support from its newer Model S and Model X vehicles due to potential safety concerns and a lack of practicality24. The feature, which allowed users to play Steam games on the car's display when parked, was initially introduced in December 2022. However, Tesla has decided to discontinue the feature in newer models. It is speculated that the data showed not many owners were playing Steam games in their cars, and the added cost of supporting the feature was not justifiable. Additionally, the removal of Steam gaming support could be a move towards focusing on practicality and safety as the electric vehicle market becomes more competitive.