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America's Army Expands Focus, Plays Down Goals

Posted by simoniker on from the not-about-the-benjamins dept.

Thanks to The Olympian for its feature on a new U.S. Army combat unit's exercises, as recorded for free PC game America's Army. The newly-launched Stryker Brigade Combat Team was the focus of the research, and the article explains: "The game focused on infantry in the beginning. For the game to remain fresh and realistic, game designers expanded the 'America's Army' universe to include other specialties, such as combat medic and paratrooper." Although the title has been linked with Army recruiting success in the past, a spokesperson for the game plays this down, saying that "it's a 'happy byproduct' if the game draws more young people to the recruiting office", and arguing: "That's not what we're about... We're about creating awareness and strategic communication about what the Army is about."

3 of 40 comments (clear)

  1. yeah, war is great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting


    ...in fact,it's just like a video game. Fuck the greedy-ass evil bastards at the Pentagon.

  2. No need to deny motive by MBraynard · · Score: 3, Interesting
    If it was not a recruitment tool, it would be a waste of taxpayer's money. And there is nothing to be ashamed of. It isn't as though they are trying to deceive you about what really goes on if you do join - within the context of a video game.

    This is probably the best recruiting tool out there not because it turns otherwise peaceful people into warmongers but because it both attracts and repels individuals based on their response to the game. It's plausible that an intendant infantryman might play this and decide he's better off in Dad's used car lot. This is far more instructive to a potential recruit than a propagandistic poster or a bribe-wielding recruiting officer.

    And for those who do decide to go into the service, it gives them a chance to at least be somewhat familiar with terminology they will encounter and have some context for integrating their new environment.

    Maybe playing this should be mandatory for a prospective recruit?

  3. NOT! by poofmeisterp · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Tell that to the recruiter that comes into the computer store I work and and asks for free computers, network drops, and space to run America's Army.

    He wants all of this to attract more kids to the Army, and has directly said so. He also says he is 'under orders from above.'

    I believe him.