Tesla’s 9.0 vehicle software update will include several playable Atari games as new Easter eggs, according to CEO Elon Musk. He said that the update should be released in “about four weeks.” In a follow-up tweet, Musk said that he’s hoping to include Pole Position, Tempest, and Missile Command “in this release,” which obviously opens the door for more to be added in the future.
Pole Position’s controls will apparently be linked to the Tesla’s actual steering wheel — while the vehicle is stopped, Musk made clear. It goes without saying, but no one should be messing around with any of these when they’re behind the wheel of a moving car.
Some of best classic @Atari games coming as Easter eggs in Tesla V9.0 release in about 4 weeks. Thanks @Atari!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 1, 2018
A much bigger deal for Tesla owners is that, according to Musk, software version 9.0 will begin to enable “full self-driving features” in eligible vehicles. The new update might be discussed further during Tesla’s earnings call later today.
Tesla has added a number of hidden secrets to its car software through the years. These are just a few of them:
- A Mario-Kart-style rainbow road — or “psychedelic rainbow road” in Musk’s words — that replaces the gray road on the instrument cluster (and plays audio from the Saturday Night Live cowbell skit)
- A color-shifting light show when the vehicle’s charging handle is pressed 10 times in quick succession
- Transforming the on-screen Tesla into James Bond’s submarine car, which Elon Musk bought in 2013
- Accessing a sketch pad on the Tesla’s primary display
- A holiday-themed “Santa Mode” that replaced the on-screen Tesla with Santa driving his sleigh on icy roads
- Displaying an owner’s Tesla (as a rover) on the surface of Mars
Last year, Tesla rolled out a way of accessing its Easter eggs with a few taps.