Posts with tag army
by Kyle Orland May 2nd 2008 6:00PM
Filed under: Culture, PC, Online, Casual
Taking a cue from America's army and, er,
America's Army, the Australian military is also using online games to pump up flagging recruitment numbers. As the
New Zealand Herald reports,
Australia's Defence Jobs web site allows visitors to control crude, Flash versions of ARV Tiger Attack Helicopters, F/A-18 Hornets and more.
The games aren't exactly new (JayIsGames discussed one of them
back in 2004) but they're getting increased attention now as a way for military recruitment to compete with a fierce job market. "It is critical to the future of the ADF that Generation Y and beyond can access and interact with recruiting information via the technology they are comfortable with," said Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon, who sounds extremely old.
Two of the Air Force games have recorded over 300,000 plays, according to the
Herald report, which might not seem like much compare to
America's Army's 8+ million users. Remember, though, that America's defense budget exceeds Australia's (and indeed,
the rest of the world's) by leaps and bounds. Whoo! We're No. 1! Don't mess with the U.S.! These colors don't run! And so on ...
by Kyle Orland Mar 21st 2008 3:00PM
Filed under: Hacks, Simulations, Fashion
Using contact lenses to simply change your eye color is so passé. Using contact lenses to
augment reality is where it's at. At least it is for the Pentagon, which has put out a
request for information on a system to display data "not unlike information provided to players of first-person, shooter-type video games" directly on the surface of the human eye. Sounds kind of like those
TV display glasses you hear about sometimes, except, y'know, actually cool.
The technology is a little out there, but it's not a total pipe dream.
Researchers at the University of Washington are already working on a nano-scale prototype, and the Pentagon wants actual results out the project in three to five years. The means the technology could trickle down into the consumer market in about ten to fifteen years, just in time to be integrated into the Sony PlayStation 5 and the MicroTendo HyperBox 1080. We can't wait!
[Via
Wired]
by Jason Dobson Jan 25th 2008 11:20AM
Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox 360, Competitive Gaming, Business
Gamers in western Kentucky have one less reason to smile this morning with news that the area's annual gaming tournament, dubbed Gameathon, is likely in jeopardy of taking place this year at all. The reason? According to a report by the
Bowling Green Daily News, the event's chief sponsor, the US Army, has opted out of supporting the gaming tournament, stating that the military branch has "other priorities this year" beyond support for game tournys.
Oh really? That doesn't seem to keep the Army from wanting to
host this April's Halo 3 tournament over Xbox Live, nor did it stop it from throwing the branch's considerable weight (not to mention
an estimated $2 million) behind the Global Gaming League last year. The Army had sponsored the event in 2005 and 2007, and was expected to contribute $5,000 this year, a burden that we guess was simply too
terrible to bear.
The Army's decision strikes us as doubly odd considering that the event is something of a showpiece for
America's Army, with the title sharing space with
Halo, PGR, and
Madden in the Gameathon's tournament. For now the event sponsors have begun to look elsewhere for sponsorship, while
a post on the event's website appears to hold out hope that the local recruiting office will eventually be swayed to once again participate in the competition. We've strapped on our mental projection helmets, and are sending
good vibes their way.
by Scott Jon Siegel Jan 10th 2008 11:30AM
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters
The United States Army is working with Microsoft to sponsor the
first Halo 3 tournament to be held over Xbox Live. The tournament -- which is sadly limited to U.S. gamers only -- begins in April, and will feature prizes for top players.
Leading up to the tournament, the US Army will sponsor a series of "Basic Combat Training" mini-contests through Xbox Live, where players register and play
Halo 3 on certain days in order to win. Registration has
already begun for the first contest, entitled "Sniper School," and gameplay will begin on January 19. Registration for the main tournament will begin in March.
by James Ransom-Wiley Nov 28th 2007 4:15PM
Filed under: Culture
Speaking to an assembly of business leasers, British Army Chief of the General Staff Sir Richard Dannatt praised the efforts of the country's young gamers as they continue to battle in Afghanistan and Iraq. General Dannatt recalled, "There was a time when commentators and some more experienced members of the Army expressed concern as to whether the 'PlayStation generation' were up to dealing with the gritty bloody conflict," before he dismissed the fear. "Our young soldiers, drawn from across British society, are more than a match for what is required of them and I salute every one of them," Dannatt lauded.
The general's morale boost comes just seven weeks after
English Barclays Premier League (soccer) manager Harry Redknapp
blamed "X-Box" and "video game passion" for the country's lack of homegrown athletic talent. Look again Redknapp, all of your would-be footie stars are simply going off to war.
by Jason Dobson Nov 8th 2007 12:20PM
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters, Simulations, Interviews
America's Army is without question the most widely recognized name in
serious games. The game, which started off as a tool for Army recruitment, has become something of a marvel, bridging the emerging serious games market and the larger mainstream video game industry. According to those helming the project, since
America's Army's initial launch for the PC in 2002, players have taken part in more than 212 million hours representing some 3.6
billion rounds of online gameplay. In addition, the game, which now has players in over 60 different countries, has been downloaded more than 40 million times, and has received more than 24 different releases, including new missions and gameplay additions. There's strong, and then there's
America's Army strong.
Later this month Ubisoft and developer Red Storm will release the latest game in the
America's Army franchise,
America's Army: True Soldiers, developed in collaboration with the U.S. Army exclusively for the Xbox 360. We recently sat down to speak with
America's Army software manager Marsha Berry to discuss this game, as well as
America's Army's possible console future, and who exactly is being targeted with this and future games in the series.
Continue reading Joystiq interview: America's Army's Marsha Berry
by Zack Stern Oct 22nd 2007 7:00PM
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, First Person Shooters, Online, Galleries
I recently played an almost-complete version of
Army of Two, days before the decision to
delay it until Q1, 2008. Originally planned to be released November 13, EA told me that the delay related most to them wanting to make sure this new intellectual property can be all it can be. (Did somebody say "
franchise?") Of course, the company will easily benefit by spacing the game out from the
current flood of mega hits.
Army of Two casts players as mercenaries, responsible for blowing up the local scenery while following your employer's missions. Often, those objectives are the same. The
Army of Two I played was a risky game that stood out in its story tone and gameplay mechanics. Some of those gambles clearly paid off -- the co-op style is the best part of the game. But EA may take this extra time to re-tune repetitive elements, like the revive-your-teammate mini-game.
Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Army of Two (360/PS3)
by Jason Dobson Oct 1st 2007 12:12PM
Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Exergaming
While the Wii has done an admirable job getting gamers to flail their arms and smash home appliances, it's the console's seemingly never-ending stream of minigames that has many of us here shaking our heads rather than our limbs. However, this is not the case for all would-be gamers, as
a new report finds that the Wii has become part of a new physical therapy regiment at a medical facility in Minneapolis, where doctors have begun looking to the Wii as a means to help stroke victims on the road to recovery as they attempt to re-learn movements they used to know by playing games like
Wii Sports.
Not only that, but the same report notes that the Army has likewise enlisted the Wii, noting that the little console that could is being used to help injured soldiers in Landstuhl, Germany regain some of their strength by playing games on the Wii. This is of course encouraging news, not just for those being helped, but also for video games in a more general sense, as we welcome anything that paints the business in a more positive light.
[Thanks Joseph]
by Alexander Sliwinski Jun 14th 2007 8:05AM
Filed under: Culture, Nintendo Wii
Last December we posted the story of Lance Cpl. John McClellan
who used his Xbox 360 as a rehabilitation device. At the time we said other systems would obviously be just as effective and now we have the story of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany using the Wii. According to
Stars and Stripes, a First Amendment military paper, the
Wii is being used as an experimental physical therapy device at the hospital.
The story focuses on Army Spc. Shawn Roberts who used the Wii for therapy after receiving injuries in Iraq which caused him to have screws implanted in his wrist. The Wii helped him use his wrist again without realizing that he was doing therapy. Roberts says, "I wasn't expecting much out of it ... But you don't notice it while you're doing it because your mind's on the game. But then when you're done? I was sore." Therapists found the system benefiting various kinds of patients and the "department plans to analyze the results" to see if it's worth purchasing more.
This isn't the only military hospital we know of
using video games as therapy tools, it's not even the only
general therapy Wii story we know. Honestly, at this point, we're shocked that Nintendo hasn't come out with
Wii Therapy yet. No, seriously ... utterly shocked. The "game" would be a slowed down version of
Wario Ware, but be specifically designed around different physical therapy needs. It's gotta be in the pipeline,
Wii Therapy would be PR gold! We can imagine the coverage now.
[Thanks Sgt. Mike]
by Kyle Orland Apr 20th 2007 5:25PM
Filed under: Culture, Retro, RPGs
We know that those serving in Iraq tend to be big on first-person shooters like
Halo and
Star Wars: Dark Forces, but what about Army gamers whose tastes run a little more cerebral? For them,
Ziggurat Con will provide the opportunity to blow off some steam with a day of good, old-fashioned tabletop role-playing.
Described as "the very first D&D convention/game day ever held in a war zone," Ziggurat Con will give soldiers "a place where we can go somewhere far away from the IED's, mortar attacks, and gunfire, without ever leaving the safety of our camp," said Con organizer David Amberson. The Camp Adder/Tallil Airbase Community Activity Center will become a role-playing and anime-watching paradise for nine hours on June 9, with the blessing of the Army's Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department.
Many game manufacturers have agreed to donate materials for the gamers, but the scarcity of gaming stores in the greater Iraqi area may force attendees to share dice. It's true what they say ... war is hell.
by Jared Rea Apr 12th 2007 2:26PM
Filed under: Competitive Gaming, Business
Contrary to popular belief, the Army isn't
looking for just any ol' pizza roll munching, message board trolling gamer. No, they're only looking for the best of the best. So when the Army
dumps somewhere around $2 million dollars into the
Global Gaming League, you better believe they're on the head hunt.
With their eyes set on the 17-24 male demographic that makes up 80 percent of the players on the site, the Army isn't stopping at just mere advertisement.
America's Army is one of the games played by the league and potential tournament victors may win a chance to check out actual computer simulations of combat situations utilized by the Army.
Naturally, CGL players will be able to opt out of these situations, but it still gives us the creeps.
by Kyle Orland Apr 5th 2007 9:25PM
Filed under: Action, First Person Shooters, Fashion
The goal of the
America's Army game has always been to make military service seem more palatable to a generation of gamers. Now, the army is making that goal more explicit with a TV commercial pushing military service as "the next level" of military games.
The ad starts with a couple of gamers playing a
Rainbow Six-alike game for a few seconds before the virtual soldier they're controlling taps on the glass, startling them out of their revelry. "You look like you're really into this," he quips. "You ready for a real challenge?" An announcer comes in to encourage viewers to "find out what you're really made of, and how far you can go" over a vignette of happy, action-packed military images. Viewers are encouraged to call in and get a copy of America's Army and a "special interactive DVD," whatever that is. Our military friend comes back at the end, asking the gamers and the viewer if they're ready to "take it to the next level."
Well, are you? Personally, we're plenty happy using games to get the vicarious thrill of military service without the high risk of death and injury. See if you feel differently after watching the video below.
Continue reading Army: Gamers can "take this to the next level" with military service
by James Ransom-Wiley Feb 5th 2007 7:15PM
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Simulations, Peripherals
The US Army recently conducted its first live-fire exercise using Future Combat Systems technologies and equipment, including what appears to be anti-sniper bot
RedOwl. The assortment of robotics and unmanned vehicles are controlled, in part, by modified Xbox 360 controllers, which look to be wired into Cross-Com devices straight outta
GRAW.
What?! The military didn't budget for wireless controllers? That's, like, sooo last-gen...But seriously, how far could FCS technology evolve? Will future American soldiers be judged by how fast they can work their thumbs? Will boot camp become a LAN lab? Will combat become as distant as an Xbox Live deathmatch?
[Thanks, Sgt Malcolm W. Thomas Jr.]
Gallery: US Army FCS
by James Ransom-Wiley Jan 9th 2007 12:23AM
Filed under: Culture, Nintendo DS, Nintendo GameCube, Mac, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Portable, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360
According to the UK's
Sunday Mirror, the British Army is actively seeking out veteran gamers for military service. Senior officers have descended upon schools, hoping to recruit an
elite l33t team of Apache pilots. Headhunters are targeting teens as young as 17 with the promise of university scholarships (after service). A senior Army Air Corps source explained that the "new generation of computer-game playing youngsters glued to their PlayStations, Xboxes, and Game Boys" has already developed "some" of the skills necessary to fly an Apache. Interesting theory.
GameSpot notes that the British Army is desperate to train a squadron of pilots capable of handling a fleet of 67 Apaches that were ordered back in 2002 (for more than $4.5 billion). The training program has been delayed for nearly three years, and most of the Apaches remain in storage.
by James Ransom-Wiley Jan 2nd 2007 5:55PM
Filed under: Culture, Driving, Simulations, Strategy
Even at roughly $1.6 million a pop, one of the world's most expensive video game platforms is still missing a key component of immersion: smell. The US Army's M1 Abrams tank simulators offer valuable training exercises for troops stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado -- and they're fuel efficient. What these sims lack however is that 'authentic' tank stench. No plans for a patch have been announced.
How long before Nintendo attempts
Smell-O-Vision in one of its consoles?
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