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Tesla adding Atari games as Easter eggs in next software update

When you get bored of actually driving the car, you can pretend to drive a virtual one instead.

2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance

Soon you'll be able to use this display to play Atari games. Not while driving, though.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

It sounds like Tesla's engineers have been working on something fun in their spare time. According to CEO Elon Musk , the next software update for Tesla's in-car infotainment system will include three classic Atari video games as Easter eggs.

As is his habit, Musk made the pronouncement via Twitter, promising that the games Pole Position , Tempest and Missile Command would be offered. For Pole Position, a classic racing game, Musk even said that drivers would be able to control their virtual car by turning the real-world Tesla's steering wheel -- albeit while the car is safely parked. Though no more specifics were offered so far, the other games will presumably be controlled by touching the giant screens that make up the Teslas' infotainment systems.

The news comes after Tesla announced a "party and camper" mode that will allow owners to play music, use the climate control and power devices for up to 48 hours. It's the sort of feature one could use while camping, tailgating or hanging out at a music festival.

The software update is dubbed V9.0 and is slated to download to Tesla cars "in about 4 weeks," Musk said. The V9.0 software is also promised to add "full self-driving features" for cars equipped with an optional package that builds on top of the Autopilot driver-assistance system.

A quick drive (literally) in Tesla's Model 3 Performance

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Jake Holmes Reviews Editor
While studying traditional news journalism in college, Jake realized he was smitten by all things automotive and wound up with an internship at Car and Driver. That led to a career writing news, review and feature stories about all things automotive at Automobile Magazine, most recently at Motor1. When he's not driving, fixing or talking about cars, he's most often found on a bicycle.
Jake Holmes
While studying traditional news journalism in college, Jake realized he was smitten by all things automotive and wound up with an internship at Car and Driver. That led to a career writing news, review and feature stories about all things automotive at Automobile Magazine, most recently at Motor1. When he's not driving, fixing or talking about cars, he's most often found on a bicycle.

Article updated on August 1, 2018 at 12:37 PM PDT

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Jake Holmes Reviews Editor
While studying traditional news journalism in college, Jake realized he was smitten by all things automotive and wound up with an internship at Car and Driver. That led to a career writing news, review and feature stories about all things automotive at Automobile Magazine, most recently at Motor1. When he's not driving, fixing or talking about cars, he's most often found on a bicycle.
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