New York Testing Emergency Alert System on Gaming Networks

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.

Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo operate online networks that allow players to compete against each other over the Internet. Under the state's plan, authorities would tap those networks to broadcast warnings about natural or man-made disasters. Singleton had few details, but confirmed that the plan is in the testing phase.

This is one of the reasons I don't watch much tv anymore.

1) When it's raining a half-dozen counties away (and I might never even see a drop of it), the screen's over half-full of multiple scrolling messages, a map of now-wet counties, not to mention when they completely break into the show to have the weatherman come on for five minutes to show and give detailed accounts of the rain, and talk to call-ins on the continuing precipitations. I'll catch it on DVD later or something...

2) I remember for the FINAL episode of Dennis Miller Live I tuned to HBO (a premium channel I paid extra for) just to have some emergency test conducted by our cable provider (an EAS of sorts...), which forced me to watch channel 2 (the local weather station, which again was showing precipitation...), whether I liked it or not. I must have been forced onto channel 2 for about 5-10 minutes, by which time I'd already missed a good portion (and the opening monologue) of DML... I was so upset I still wasn't able to enjoy the re-run that was on three hours later (HBOE and HBOW)

I dropped cable not too long after that...

But with digital broadcasting and stations dedicated to the weather, this should be a thing of the past, but it's not.

But at some point you need not be forced to be entertained by the fact that it's just raining over 100 miles away... If you're that paranoid about the weather, get a weather radio?

Wake up people: commercials and censorship is next!

I guess it would be useful if, and only if:

-The information was relevant and accurate... No "heavy rain half a dozen counties away".

-The alert only popped up if the situation is severe enough. I don't really need to be interrupted in my game just to find out it's raining outside, I can just look out the window myself. On the other hand if there's an alien invasion or a hazardous leak of chemicals nearby or something, I would probably want to know even if it meant losing this game.

-It would need to be made in such a way that it's hard to spoof alerts. Companies already spoof windows error messages, they might do the same with this. Warning, earthquake imminent! Click here to find out how to save yourself!

Would be good for local tornado warnings. (except for wow players since there already in there parents basement )

Maybe an emergency 'heads up' like a little corner of the screen is used up, not the whole thing?

In a real emergency I suspect the result would be something like this.

I'm pretty sure, people can tell when a tornado or any inclement weather is coming by just looking out the window and the loud noises generated by inclement weather. I don't think society has become that dumb, that survivalist instincts don't kick in. I don't need no help from the government.

Please no.

It drives me crazy when TV programs are interrupted for 15 minutes because it's raining on the other side of the state and "water could accumulate to produce flood-like conditions". Nevermind that 90% of anything I watch is from the DVR and was recorded yesterday.

I hate them enough already, I don't want bothered more.

if only they gave us the option of disabling it....

I think this would be a good idea if it was specific, relevant and a real emergency. This would be worthless if it blocked your whole screen with constant tests or rain in another State. If it alerted me to a tornado in my town and saved my life of course it would be worth it!

If they didn't interrupt it for tests and only broadcast real threats..sure. However, since they can't seem to do that on TV, I vote against this unless there is a way to disable it. I have a weather radio that is far more accurate and far less annoying.

Originally Posted by Terry Olaes

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.

This is fine, if, and only if, it's only used for actual emergencies. Other than that, I'd find it annoying. Actually, aside from Tornado warnings, I'm not sure when I'd care. If there's a hurricane heading my way, I'd probably have the TV and/or radio on already.

For an earthquake, I suspect any warning would come after the fact and if it's after the quake, and I'm still gaming, it really doesn't matter, does it?

With that said, most of the things that people are complaining about related to TV, don't sound like the EBS. AFAIK, the EBS sends out warnings to all relevant stations. IOW, if your local weatherman breaks into Lost, it's not the EBS.

not a totally horrible idea as long as they are controlled and the system is not abused for other reasons

What will actually happen is that at random your gaming will be interrupted by:


*BZZZZZT* *BZZZZZT* *BZZZZZT* This is a test of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a test. If this had been the start of an actual nuclear war you would have exactly 10 minutes to bend over, stick your head between your legs, and kiss yourself goodbye. This is a test of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a test. *BZZZZZT* *BZZZZZT* *BZZZZZT*

Meanwhile the guy playing from in Canada has fragged you at least 50 times, your base has been overrun by the attack that your opponent launched just before the alert kicked off, or your brilliant rush attack failed because your opponent built a new defense building that wasn't on your target list when the alert booted you off.

" 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? "

ANNOYED

Since I do not own a shotgun and have an inadequete supply of tiny little bullets.

Why not? if they made it like the xbox live achievments and when friends msg you. where just a tiny window pops up with a message and if you hit your little xbox button on the controller it pops up the full message.

And the difference between this and tv is, with this they would be able to target just people in the affected area with their IP address.

I know I'd like to get a tornado warning just to make sure im payign attention, sometimes playing a game heavily you dont realize just how bad weather is getting.