Jay-Z. (WENN)

Everybody knows Jay-Z is a player. But now he's running the game in a whole new way.

The rap entrepreneur and part owner of the Brooklyn Nets recently revealed he's the executive producer of the upcoming video game NBA 2K13. And if you believe the press release, it's not just a ceremonial title. Apparently, Hova not only put together the 24-song soundtrack -- which includes everyone from Daft Punk to Dirty Projectors, along with half a dozen tracks from the man himself -- but also had input into intro videos, interactive menus and the overall look and feel of the game. And he's not the only musician levelling up into the world of video games. On Aug. 7, Beck will release three new songs -- Cities, Touch the People, and Spiral Staircase -- in a music-based game called Sound Shapes.

Clearly, the relationship between music and games has come a long way since Rock Band and Guitar Hero. But why stop there? Here are a few rockin' video games we'd like to see:

Tour Busted

Everybody has something to hide. Especially musicians on the road. This strategy-based title lets you select your own character (including Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Scott Weiland and Keith Richards), pick your own poison (drugs, weapons, teenage groupies, etc.) -- and then try to smuggle it through airport security or past border guards without being discovered. Bail not included.

Kill Your Idols

With big-name musicians signing up for American Idol and The Voice, the competition for judging spots is fierce. In this musical combat outing, it's literally a fight to the death: Wannabe panelists can either audition for the gig a la Rock Band -- or take up arms and challenge one of the sitting judges to bloody combat in the octagon. Sadly, Ryan Seacrest cannot be killed.

SimScalper

Experience the thrills and chills of the scummy world of ticket reselling with this latest chapter in the Sim series. Players must hire hobos to stand in line and recruit computer nerds to help score all the seats to upcoming tours, then soak the public with absurdly inflated prices and counterfeit tickets. Unlock a bonus VIP level to play as a pop star auctioning off their own seats.

Rock 'n' Rollympics

Be a good sport and rock out with this hybrid offering. Select a famous musician and put them through their paces in London. Make Iggy Pop and Slash go head-to-head in the decathlon. Put Meat Loaf in the pool next to Paul McCartney. Have Justin Bieber take on the singer from Slipknot in judo. But watch out for Kanye West; if he doesn't win, he's bound to storm the podium.

Playing to Win

Speaking of medals, who doesn't love award shows? Well, maybe the people who have to orchestrate them. In this game, you'll have to put together a major televised gala, while navigating a mine field of potential conflicts -- beefing rappers who have to be separated, feuding couples with restraining orders, diva tantrums and more. You win if nobody gets stabbed during the show.

Facing the Music

Since nobody buys CDs anymore, musicians have to find new ways to make ends meet. In this game, you'll play a has-been rocker scrambling to keep up his lifestyle any way he can: Endlessly touring casinos, playing cruises and private parties, selling autographs online to schoolchildren, rewriting your hits as fast-food jingles -- and executive-producing video games.