Virtual World to Get Real World Warnings in New York State

Video games have always had bells and whistles to alert you to virtual bad guys and other threats, now they will have the same for the real world.

The Xbox, Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation will incorporate a system to show on screen warnings about Amber alerts, severe weather or other dangers in New York state.

Video games being played will pause while the alerts flash. The system is set to go live next year, according to the Post.

"Not all people receive information just through radio and TV, so the idea is to reach them through other avenues," Dennis Michalski, spokesman for the state department of Emergency Management, told the paper.

To sign up for the text message version of alerts, which are currently available, go to nyalert.gov.

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