I don't want to set the world on fire. I just want to set a flame in your heart.

An interesting development in video games has been the creation of radio stations in games. As far to my knowledge, this phenomenon only occurs in sandbox video games like Fallout 3, Grand Theft Auto IV, etc. These in game radio stations offer music, in game commentary and humor as a way to immerse the gamer into the environment of the video game. These radio stations have unique DJs and dialogue beyond unique music so that one feels that they really are in a world with different varying characters.

Now this development is different from being able to import your music in to a playlist that plays in game. The importing playlists occurs mainly in sports games and does not really add to the gaming environment. The music tends to play over menus and is rarely if ever used during actual game play.

Another interesting aspect to me of in game radio stations is that by giving the player a radio station, video game developers have in fact given the player another choice. It allows you to select something that fits your character or playing style yet is obviously onscreen music. In essence, it is something that your character is supposed to hear.

Finally, it is interesting to me that these in game radio stations exist at all. I mean it requires not only acquiring the rights to play the music but also the creation of more dialogue and more programming scripting to make the radio seem real. In game radio stations are, in fact, quite the creative undertaking. However, they serve to interest us as players and make our virtual realities seem that much closer to home.

PS – Have some free Tom Cruise dancing. Trust me, it’s funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO3BaKEn7TE