Over 4 Million Playing U.S. Army Game

Posted on December 9, 2004

Back in May, 2002 the U.S. Army launched its $7 million video game called America's Army. Since then over 4.3 million have registered to play the simulated combat adventure game. The Army says the game "is designed to provide an accurate portrayal of soldier experiences across a number of occupations. In the game, players will explore progressive individual and collective training events within the game. Once they successfully completed these events they will advance to multiplayer operations in small units."

The game provides realistic weapons simulations, training experiences, combat experiences and War on Terror settings and scenarios. The game even provides for virtual jail sentences at Fort Leavenworth and a possible ban from the game if players kill innocents or friendly troops. The Army wants to promote teamwork and cooperation in the game -- just like soldiers would need in combat. Through the game and its website at americasarmy.com the U.S. Army also offers recruitment events and ongoing tournaments.

The game has been given the ESRB Teen rating, which means ages 13 and up. However, tsome groups like Veterans for Peace, worry the game could be used a recruitment tool on impressionable young teenagers. And some combat veterans don't think games can accurately portray the real experience of battle. In a recent article the Detroit News quoted Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Justin Day as saying, "no game accurately conveys the terror in real combat."

Still, the U.S. Army seems very pleased with the results of the game despite any shortcomings or criticism. In a May, 2004 story on the game CNET quoted Chris Chambers, deputy director of the America's Army project as saying, "It's a much more efficient and effective vehicle for the Army to provide information to young people than the other media we use."