You know those emergency broadcasting system things they sometimes have that interrupt whatever you're watching in case an emergency happens? Well, no longer are they going to be confined to radio and television broadcast here in NY. New York State authorities say they are planning to test the issuing of alerts through online gaming networks. Yes, that means they're going to try to interrupt us during gaming too! The goal of this new plan is simple enough: target younger people who will most likely be playing games rather than on their television stations.

"New York State Deputy CIO Rico Singleton, speaking Thursday at the Interop technology conference in New York City, said the plan makes sense, "considering the amount of time our youth spend on video games."

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."

Seriously, this does not seem like too bad of an idea, it's pretty smart. And they have to reach us gamers somehow. I don't wanna die.

Interop: New York Tests Xbox-Based Alert System [Interop]