Thread: US Army enters the Computer Gaming Industry

  1. #1
    Lead Moderator kermi3's Avatar
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    US Army enters the Computer Gaming Industry

    Who would have ever thought. All those 1st person shooters you've played from the perspective of some army guy are supposed to be tucked away.

    I don't know how many of you read PC Gamer, but in this month's issue it opened up a large story.

    At the Electronic Entertainment Expo in LA the Army just announced it's brand new, modren, "industry standard," first person shooter. It's supposed to be just as good or better than the games we all pay $50-60 (US) but it is going to be free.

    The Army's reportedly going to be giving it away as a recruitment tool. (and to develop tactics if you ask me). It'll first be mostly multi-player only (on great government supplied servers) but PCG reports that every 18-24mo there will be a major updates including several single player campaigns. Anyway I'm not gonna rewrite the entire article, go buy a PGC if you want it.

    The name is American A-something A-somthing or "AAA", but the mag's in my car so...

    FREE GAMES FOR ALL! lol
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  2. #2
    It's full of stars adrianxw's Avatar
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    I seem to recall a file called "The Last Starfighter" where it transpired that a flight combat game was actually a trainer program, and that when people reached a certain score, they were whisked off to fight in real machines with the same interface.

    Conspiracy theorists would claim that this army announcement, is no more than the same.
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  3. #3
    train spotter
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    From my local news server

    "America's Army, the Official US Army Game"

    "two separate titles, Soldiers, a role-playing character-builder akin to the popular simulator The Sims, and Operations, a first-person shooter game that takes the player on missions to attack enemies."

    "The games are expected to be released in July or August, and all the software will be free, Wardynski said. Most of the 1.2 million discs released will be attached to popular video game magazines."

    will be here for a few days (28-05-2002)
    http://news.com.au/common/story_page...E15319,00.html
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  4. #4
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    wow...this is amazing

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    Registered User Commander's Avatar
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    alrit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!


    oh wait a minute, I live in canada!!!!!!!!! damn it

    PS : I'm not leaving canada just for the games though! I'm staying here!!!!!!!
    oh i'm sorry! i didn;t realize my fist was rushing to meet ur face!

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  6. #6
    My diaper's full....... stevey's Avatar
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    brilliant idea, and totally logical....

    soldiers/airmen are already extensively trained in computer simulators, i'm sure it would follow that the best players of the games could be the best in the real thing. apache pilots/gunners in the gulf forgot it was real and treat it like a video game. i guess you still need 'the right stuff' for combat. myself i would probably need to leave my diaper on !!

    already you can learn to fly an airbus in a simulator, so accurate that you could land an actual plane.
    Steve

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    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    Registered User Invincible's Avatar
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    This is really kind of disgusting if you think about it. Since the late 1950's there's been a movement against media that portrays violence. Now, the US govt is supporting is supporting it in full force by introducing it as a training mecahnism made freely available to the public. What is the message here? Acts of violence are OK as long as you commit them for your country? Yes, this is a recruitment tool, and a sick one at that. This is a dangerous mix of gaming (which is meant to take place in a fantasy world) and reality.
    "The mind, like a parachute, only functions when open."

  9. #9
    I'd have to agree with Invincible. Though I dont technically find it 'disgusting' I _do_ think that it is a dangerous mix and one that could spell even more troubles for the gaming industry. With so many idiotic accusations that violent games breed violent people, is this really the time to be putting forth that video games can be used to train people to kill?

    >>Acts of violence are OK as long as you commit them for your country?

    That, my friend, has been the sentiment of many all throughout history. It also works if you commit them for your religion (but lets stay on topic).
    "There's always another way"
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  10. #10
    back? dbaryl's Avatar
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    Ok, so will this game suddently make a sharp-shooter out of me? As far as I see, aside from strategy, all the player gets better at is button-pressing thumb skills, to put it that way. I seriously do not think that being able to play a video game does ANYTHING to improve one's shooting skills, not that I would want it to be so.
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  11. #11
    l'Anziano DavidP's Avatar
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    wow...it seems like America is going in the same direction as the Roman Empire went with its gladiator games.....interesting...
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  12. #12
    Moderatly related: I read a study some time ago on the topic of excitement/danger/rush. It put forward the theory that, as our technology and social conditions becomes increasingly advanced, the danger in our everyday lives decreases. Danger and adrenaline appear to be a vital part of most peoples development and it seems that we seek to find a replacement for it. Hence we see more and more people doing 'extreme' sports etc. This may play into the gaming industry as well as we've seen more and more "violent" games. I've got nothing against it but it would stand to reason that they may be a required mental release for some people. Just a thought.

    >>America is going in the same direction as the Roman Empire went with its gladiator games.....interesting...

    Heh.... Good point.
    "There's always another way"
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  13. #13
    Registered User Invincible's Avatar
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    (but lets stay on topic)
    Ok ... but I really feel its something that needs to be discussed in light of this so-called "game." Can you say "propaganda?"
    all the player gets better at is button-pressing thumb skills
    I'd have to agree that playing a video games doesn't increase one's physical prowess. However, the key here is not physicality, but tactics and strategy, a patriotic and disciplined mindset, and advanced knowledge of weapons and military systems. Consider the RPG version where the goal is to build a character that meets United States Army standards of a "good soldier." Incorporating this into a video game available to children and teenagers, who are extremely vulnerable to suggestion, will in many cases effectively instill a passion for the art of war and serving one's country.

    Be all that you can be!
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  14. #14
    Registered User Invincible's Avatar
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    I've got nothing against it but it would stand to reason that they may be a required mental release for some people. Just a thought.
    Or ... the ability to act out with no loss or consequence satisfies our primal tendencies toward violence. Why do you think foot-ball and pro-wrestling are so popular among males.

    And it's a completely legitimate way of dealing with those urges. Its like dealing with lust using the "look but don't touch" method.

    But I fear these games are being designed with idea of promoting real violence.
    "The mind, like a parachute, only functions when open."

  15. #15
    Blank
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    I'm all for it -- if they can make a very good video game. Anyone see the simson's with the backstreet boys?

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