Grand Theft Auto V, released by Rockstar Games in 2013, made its police chases a defining part of open-world gameplay, with sirens signalling a rising wanted level as patrol cars, helicopters and roadblocks converge on the player. Clips of those sirens spread through gaming montages, meme edits and short-form videos, where the sound alone tells viewers a chase is under way. Its continued use comes from that instant recognition: even without gameplay on screen, listeners associate the wail with being hunted, caught or just about to escape.