New York Tests Xbox-Based Alert System

[rasmusernst]

Quote from Hardocp:

"Imagine you're in a heated game of Madden on Xbox Live and you?re about to score the game winning field goal when an emergency alert interrupts your game with a warning that a rabid lemming invasion is sweeping across your state. Would you be annoyed or thankful? NY is testing their emergency broadcast systems on gaming networks right now so if you?ve seen these alerts, let us know what you thought."

Article on hardocp.com
http://www.hardocp.com/news/2009/11/21/new_york_testing_emergency_alert_system_on_gaming_networks/

original article:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/state-local/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=221900336


What do you guys think. Is this a good idea?

 

[Distorted Stu]

Oh Go dim glad im in the UK. I would shit brix if that happened to me

 

[KhaineII]

Will it pause the game? For everyone?

Actually what the hell am I saying, I'm assuming the emergency broadcast system in the States isn't used when the President spills his coffee.

I wouldn't be pissed, I'd be happy to know nerve gas is being released in the atmosphere over head.

 

[TheFacelessOne]

I wouldn't mind if that popped up on my system(it won't, cauz i'm in TEXAS!). Should save some lives, should the warning be something important.

 

[scnj]

I'd be very annoyed if they tried to pause my game to tell me about a life threatening tornado or volcanic eruption. Nothing stops my playing.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Seems pretty helpful.

 

[Jman1236]

It wouldn't be so bad as long as they don't use it for amber alerts or high wind advisories. I see those on tv and radio all the time.

 

[Yukinari]

They do that when i watch TV, it would randomly pop up on the bottom of the screen, cut off the sound to the TV, and make a loud beeping sound.
But id rather be safe than be dead.

 

[squid5580]

Great idea as long as they don't pull "this is a test of the emergency broadcast system. So go clean you underwear because this is only a test and then be pissed off for us interrupting you."

 

[IckleMissMayhem]

Actually what the hell am I saying, I'm assuming the emergency broadcast system in the States isn't used when the President spills his coffee.

Not yet, anyhow.

I think it's a good idea, personally, but I reckon...

"this is a test of the emergency broadcast system. So go clean you underwear because this is only a test and then be pissed off for us interrupting you."

...this would happen a lot. And it'd be bloody irritating!

 

[rasmusernst]

I guess it doesn't have to be a nuisance. They could just have the emergency pop up in one of those achievement/message boxes. If you wanted to know more, you could hit the Xbox button on the controller. Plus they could target the messages at IP-addresses in the affected area.

 

[The DSM]

So if theres a zombie attack New yorkers get to have a last minute practice on L4D2? No fair.

 

[SilkySkyKitten]

Depends. If it is the sort of thing where it will simply alert you with a little pop-up if the "danger" isn't all that serious and will only pause the game if the "danger" is serious and possibly life-threatening, then I'd be perfectly fine with it. Otherwise, it might be a little too annoying if you're trying to play and you're interrupted just because there is a little storm that might be severe headed your way.