Just a decade ago, “convergence” was seen among video game publishers as merely the latest catchphrase. Today, they are actively working with theatrical, home entertainment and record companies to cross-promote the latest games.

Convergence, it appears, has become a reality in gaming. One example is the concept of the video game soundtrack.

Viacom’s digital entertainment unit, Simon & Schuster Interactive, has partnered with Nile Rodgers’ Sumthing Else Musicworks (which produced orchestral video game soundtracks for “Halo” and “Age of Mythology”) to release a video game soundtrack for the Xbox game “Outlaw Golf.” The soundtrack is scheduled day-and-date with the game’s release July 8. Taking a page out of Electronic Arts’ recent video game soundtrack for “NBA Live 2003,” which shipped as a bonus CD with the best-selling game, the “Outlaw Golf” soundtrack features original music, not licensed tracks.

“Video games are essentially a showcase for new talent,” music veteran Nile Rodgers says. “With the music business in disarray, this is a great way to break future bands.”

Rodgers knows of what he speaks. Besides composing soundtracks for “Beverly Hills Cop III” and “Coming to America” and producing songs for Madonna and Duran Duran, he executive produced the soundtrack for the “Outlaw Volleyball,” using such new artists as Diffuser, Off by One and Warrior to fill the 24-track CD.

In fact, Rodgers approached Simon & Schuster Interactive after getting hooked as a player of its “Outlaw Golf” video game. “Outlaw Volleyball” follows in the successful sand prints of “Outlaw Golf.” The “Outlaw” brand of sports let’s trailer-trash characters turn otherwise tame sports into violent, oftentimes sexy competitions. Viacom’s corporate convergence is evident with the Mature-rated “Outlaw Volleyball.” MTV’s Melinda Gedman served as music supervisor for the game’s soundtrack and has the first video, Diffuser’s “Get It On” ready for airplay on MTV and VH1, both Viacom properties. The music video features the in-game character Summer, a voluptuous ex-stripper who sports a thong bikini.

“We’re already planning soundtracks for our next games, including ‘Outlaw Golf 2’ “ says Peter von Schlossberg, VP marketing and sales at Simon & Schuster Interactive.

Von Schlossberg is also among a group negotiating with the Recording Academy to let video game soundtracks compete for Grammy’s.

Video games represent a rapidly growing industry, unlike music, which is mired in a downward trend that executives blame on digital file-sharing technologies. So it’s no surprise that the music industry is anxious to team with video games. This sort of convergence also makes sense because the target demographic of gaming, males 23-35 years old with disposable income, is the same audience that buys Cd’s and downloads MP3’s.

Look for more convergence as other entertainment companies and even advertising agencies attempt to grab the attention of this demographic by going in game. After all, these are also the people who pre-order DVD releases and are the first in line to adopt new technology and gadgets.