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New York to beam disaster alerts to Xbox gamers

'Liberty City' to test emergency broadcasts via consoles

Evading terrorists and nuclear attacks on your Xbox 360 looks set to become a real-world challenge as well as a virtual one. New York State (NYS) has begun trialling use of the console as an emergency broadcast system for disasters.

NYS’ Emergency Management Office (EMO) has opted to use the Xbox 360 as a test bed for console-transmitted warnings which may eventually see the EMO interrupt your Modern Warfare 2 game to warn that real-life terrorists are headed your way.

While the EMO is already geared up to make emergency broadcasts by TV and radio, it wants to reach out to younger people by taking advantage of the console’s web connectivity.

PlayStation 3 and Wii owners shouldn’t be worried, though.

The EMO is only using the Xbox 360 during its tests and, should a console-based emergency broadcast system prove workable and be adopted, then all major web-connected consoles will likely be included. ®

Latest Comments

Will it be area targeted?

Or will the whole chuffing world get a broadcast which affects one area?

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RROD Alerts

Shouldn't they also send out RROD alerts too?

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And the minute it's up and running....

How many games are going to include this emergency broadcast as part of the game for 'immersion' purposes?

When a real one comes it'll assumed to part of the game they're playing.

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Fail

Seriously, who comes up with these ideas? And why are they not doing something more productive with their time?

It reminds me of the scenes in The Thick of It when the minister turns to Ollie and demands three new policy ideas on the spot.

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"Hang on... hang on..."

"Hang on... hang on... let me finish this level first."

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