Tesla has announced that new deliveries of its Model S and Model X vehicles will no longer include support for Steam, the popular gaming platform.
This revelation has left owners and prospective buyers taken aback, as Tesla CEO Elon Musk heavily marketed the ability to play high-end games like Cyberpunk 2077 as a key feature.
Tesla removes Steam gaming support from new Model S and X vehicles, surprising owners as part of a broader cost-cutting and strategic realignment effort.David von Diemar from Unsplash
No More Steam for Tesla
Recently, Tesla informed a customer awaiting delivery of a long-range Model X that the vehicle's gaming computer had been updated, making it "no longer capable of playing Steam games." The message prompted the customer to confirm if they would proceed with the delivery despite this change.
This update specifically affects the Model S and Model X, both of which had been equipped with powerful AMD Ryzen processors capable of running demanding 3D games.
Tesla initially introduced Steam support in these models with a major update in December 2022. However, the company now appears to be rethinking this commitment.
The Verge reports that other Tesla models, such as the Model 3 and Model Y, have not been promised Steam support, and it is uncertain if they ever will.
The decision to remove Steam support seems part of Tesla's broader cost-cutting strategy. According to Autoevolution, Tesla has been updating its hardware configurations, possibly to reduce costs on components like RAM and storage, which are necessary for running Steam games.
For instance, while the latest Model S and X models were upgraded to meet Steam's requirements, this is no longer the case for new deliveries.
Owners and enthusiasts have expressed shock and disappointment on platforms like Reddit and X, where the initial news broke. Many speculate about the reasons behind Tesla's decision. Some suggest it could be due to the gaming feature's low usage rates, while others think it might be related to the overall experience or battery drain concerns. Nevertheless, the exact rationale remains unclear.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigated Tesla's "Passenger Play" feature, which allowed video games to be played on the front center touchscreen of its vehicles in December 2021. The investigation concluded in 2023.
This move aligns with Tesla's recent trend of cost-cutting and refocusing its priorities. The company has undergone significant operational changes, including substantial layoffs affecting 10 to 20 percent of its workforce.
Currently, no Tesla models in production are equipped to support Steam games, and it remains uncertain whether Tesla will continue supporting existing vehicles delivered with Steam capabilities.
