According to our research, people spend an average of five to 20 minutes a day waiting in their cars, often mindlessly scrolling on their phones. Ford Senior Product Manager Jack Walpuck and Senior Innovation Manager for Integrated Services T.C. Wingrove want to put a stop to the scrolling and give customers a more collaborative and fun experience that harkens back to their days in the classroom.
Walpuck and Wingrove just helped launch the newest addition to the Ford- and Lincoln-exclusive gaming app Arcade Sports Collection – paper football.
Remember flicking a folded paper triangle over the edge of your desk while your teacher’s head was turned? Walpuck helped create a virtual version for customers to fill those idle minutes in the parking lot – all without leaving the vehicle.
Arcade Sports Collection has a growing selection of easy, retro-inspired games, including shuffleboard and button soccer, designed to be played quickly in the car (while parked) with your smartphone as the gaming controller.
The app is available in the 2025 Ford Expedition, 2025-2026 Ford Explorer, 2025-2026 Lincoln Aviator, 2025 Lincoln Navigator, and 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus.
To learn more, we sat down with Walpuck, who has been in the weeds developing these games.
Q: Why are you developing gaming apps?
A: With the all-new Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience, we have the ability to easily create Ford-exclusive apps for customers to provide ongoing value through the digital system. We found through our research that people spend an average of five to 20 minutes a day waiting in their cars, often resorting to mindless scrolling on their smartphones. We wanted to create a fun and engaging way for customers to connect with their fellow passengers — especially across generations — and ultimately infuse some fun into their day. That is how Arcade Sports Collection was born.
Q: Why did you lean into retro games like paper football?
A: Through our research, we discovered people really resonated with games from the ‘80s and ‘90s. We designed the games to be accessible and fun for everyone, even if you don’t consider yourself a gamer. A game like paper football is easy to learn and quick to play. Grandpa and the kids can all join in on the fun.
Q: What is something that has surprised you to learn about how people are engaging with the app?
A: We conducted research clinics before launching, and it was really fun to see how strangers became fast friends within minutes of playing these games. Friendly banter and competitiveness set in quickly. Everyone was laughing, and laughing is a good indicator of fun, so we knew we were on to something.
Since launching, we have learned that over one-third of all playing time has been multiplayer. Plus, we know anecdotally that some players take turns with single players to try to beat each other’s score. When you consider the fact that the vast majority of driving in the U.S. is done alone, this number suggests that customers disproportionately reach for Arcade Sports Collection when they have friends or family in the vehicle with them.
