Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[US Army game developers show off CryEngine 3-powered environments]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/us-army-game-developers-shows-off-cryengine-3-powered-environmen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/us-army-game-developers-shows-off-cryengine-3-powered-environmen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/us-army-game-developers-shows-off-cryengine-3-powered-environmen/#comments The US Army has been building a training game for its soldiers to play, and the company behind the project, called RealTime Immersive, Inc., has just released two trailers showing off the game's graphics, powered by CryEngine 3. If it looks good, it's because the powers that be have spent $57 million on the project. For that price, there better be dedicated servers and LAN support.

Keep in mind this is just a tease -- this game is meant for internal training by the Army, and so it isn't something the public will get to play in any major way. Besides, can the Army hire a group of racist teenagers to yell at soldiers as they perform the in-game training operations?

JoystiqUS Army game developers show off CryEngine 3-powered environments originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cryengine-3pcrealtime-immersive-incsimulationsoldiersus-armyFri, 23 Dec 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[US Navy: Gamers '10 to 20%' better at fighting terror]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/us-navy-gamers-10-to-20-better-at-fighting-terror/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/us-navy-gamers-10-to-20-better-at-fighting-terror/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/us-navy-gamers-10-to-20-better-at-fighting-terror/#comments
[Image Source]
The Office of Naval Research is currently conducting research in video game training that it says has "surprising" results in regards to military personnel reaction time and adaptability in the fight against terror. According to an article available on the Department of Defense's official website, doctor of educational psychology and program officer Ray Perez said the research has discovered that video game players perform "10 to 20 percent higher in terms of perceptual and cognitive ability" than non-gamers.

Citing a need for soldiers to be "agile problem solvers" and "agile thinkers," Perez notes that video game training can help field adaptability and the "cognitive advances" derived from the training can last up to two and a half years.

"We know that video games can increase perceptual abilities and short-term memory," Perez said, adding games allow players to focus longer and expand the field of vision compared to non-gamers. If it means the brave men and women serving have a better chance of coming home, we're all for it.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqUS Navy: Gamers '10 to 20%' better at fighting terror originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armydepartment-of-defensemilitaryoffice-of-naval-researchsoldiersunited-states-militaryvideogame-researchWed, 27 Jan 2010 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Soldier wins Team Fortress 2 war, update goes live in time for free-to-play weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/soldier-wins-team-fortress-2-war-update-goes-live-in-time-for-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/soldier-wins-team-fortress-2-war-update-goes-live-in-time-for-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/soldier-wins-team-fortress-2-war-update-goes-live-in-time-for-f/#comments Well, Demomen, you put up a good fight, but the rocket-armed Soldiers proved too strong a combatant to topple. Team Fortress 2's helmet-wearing class won the "War" update challenge, netting an additional item (boots which reduce rocket-jumping damage) to go with the update's other additions. You can check up on all the new items, maps, achievements and totally out-of-place crafting mechanics on the update's hub page.

Or, you can simply log on to the game right now, and get the update yourself. If you don't possess the game, Valve will let you download and play it for free this weekend. If you really enjoy it, you can pick up Team Fortress 2 at half-price for just $9.99.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqSoldier wins Team Fortress 2 war, update goes live in time for free-to-play weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demomanfpsmultiplayeronlinesalesoldierssteamteam-fortress-2updatevalvewarFri, 18 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Injured soldiers play Wii to test for potential brain trauma]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/injured-soldiers-play-wii-to-test-for-potential-brain-trauma/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/injured-soldiers-play-wii-to-test-for-potential-brain-trauma/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/injured-soldiers-play-wii-to-test-for-potential-brain-trauma/#comments
The Department of Defense is launching the Nintendo Wii as a weapon against head injuries, according to the Huffington Post. At Fort Campbell's newly opened brain injury center, soldiers are being put through a "battery of tests" to measure different cognitive functions before and after deployment -- specifically in cases of potential traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The tests include a driving simulator to measure reaction to environment change, visual testing to determine accuracy and speed and coordination tests using the Nintendo Wii. Once a soldier's individual deficiencies are discovered, a therapy program is designed to "help retrain the brain" in those specific areas. Since opening in September, Fort Campbell's brain injury center has screened about 400 soldiers for TBI and is currently treating about 60 cases.

[Via Fidgit. Image credit: SignOnSanDiego.com]

JoystiqInjured soldiers play Wii to test for potential brain trauma originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brain-injurydepartment-of-defensehead-injuryhealthmedicalsoldierstestingMon, 13 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision partners with USO to send games to troops]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/08/activision-partners-with-uso-to-send-games-to-troops/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/08/activision-partners-with-uso-to-send-games-to-troops/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/08/activision-partners-with-uso-to-send-games-to-troops/#commentsFiled under: ,


Publishing juggernaut Activision recently partnered up with the United Service Organization, a non-profit group whose sole purpose is to boost the morale of those currently serving in the armed forces, to give the gift of gaming to a bunch of people who have really earned it. At a launch event for Call of Duty: World at War at a Washington D.C. GameStop, customers will be able to play the title online with active servicemen and servicewomen -- in addition, for every copy of World at War purchased at the event, Activision will donate $10 to the USO. On top of all that, Activision will also donate $100,000 worth of Guitar Hero III to military bases across the globe.

This rather altruistic showing might just be exactly what Activision needed to win back the heart of the gaming community in the wake of a few upsetting comments recently made by CEO Bobby Kotick. We're a forgiving lot, aren't we, guys?

JoystiqActivision partners with USO to send games to troops originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionsoldiersusoSat, 08 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[President Bush plays video games with injured soldiers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/10/president-bush-plays-video-games-with-injured-soldiers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/10/president-bush-plays-video-games-with-injured-soldiers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/10/president-bush-plays-video-games-with-injured-soldiers/#commentsFiled under:

President Bush, during a recent visit to a rehabilitation center for injured veterans, found time to sit with the soldiers and play some video games. This begs the question - when you play some games with the president, do you have to let him win?

While the idea of wounded soldiers playing war games as part of their recovery process might seem a little strange, the use of simulated battlefields to treat sufferers of wartime Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has become more popular over the past few years.

According to a White House spokeswoman, one game allowed our Head of State to "shoot the bad guys" in a virtually rendered Baghdad neighborhood. The veterans were reportedly confused when President Bush made his character run away from the battlefield to hide in his father's ranch house for a year.

[Thanks, Steve]

JoystiqPresident Bush plays video games with injured soldiers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>George W. BushGeorgeWBushPresident BushPresidentBushSoldiersVeteransWarSat, 10 Nov 2007 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Cannon Fodder announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/28/cannon-fodder-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/28/cannon-fodder-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/28/cannon-fodder-announced/#commentsFiled under: ,


The retro games keep on coming back. IGN has an exclusive where they reveal the very first details and screenshots of Codemasters' upcoming game Cannon Fodder, a remake of the classic Commidore Amiga game. But unlike most of the other retro games that we've seen, this goes the extra mile and is a real remake: with new graphics and gameplay, updated for the current generation. You and a team of soldiers will fight it out on-foot and in vehicles, while being able to call air strikes and radar sweeps. The game will offer four player deathmatch and co-op modes.

JoystiqCannon Fodder announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Aug 2006 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amigacannon fodderCannonFodderco-opcommidoredeathmatchignremakeretrosoldierswarMon, 28 Aug 2006 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty 3 announced; leak confirmed [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/06/call-of-duty-3-announced-leak-confirmed/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/06/call-of-duty-3-announced-leak-confirmed/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/06/call-of-duty-3-announced-leak-confirmed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Call of Duty 3 logo screen
Call of Duty 3's just been confirmed, and it looks like we were right on the money with our early leak of the WWII-related game.

Back in early March, we printed the following information (and a whole lot more) on the focus of an upcoming sequel: "'CoD 3' ... is being produced by Big Red One dev Treyarch. ... The next Call of Duty World War II-based title will return gamers to the battlefields of Normandy as the Allies take on Nazi Germany to drive them out of France once and for all. This time around, American and British forces are joined by Canadian troops, Polish tanks, and French freedom fighters in a reenactment of the bloody Normandy Breakout campaign spearheaded during the summer of 1944. In the push to Paris, you'll get to choose how you approach each mission, free of menu screens and jarring non-interactive cut-scenes."

Here's what IGN quoted from Activision for the announcement yesterday: "Through the eyes of four Allied soldiers, Call of Duty 3 brings players closer to the fury of combat as they fight through the Normandy Breakout, the harrowing offensive that liberated Paris and changed the fate of the world. Developed by Treyarch, Call of Duty 3 is the follow up to the #1 next-generation game and is scheduled for a 2006 release." Fingering the developer and the setting? Not too shabby -- while Joystiq pats itself on the back.

Check out the IGN trailer below for a first-person look somewhat reminiscent of the FPS sequence in the Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer from TGS. At the end of the "official E3 teaser" trailer, a number of platforms are listed, with the major manufacturers (including a small "Nintendo Revolution" in text) and publisher/developer combo listed. We suspect that versions for the PC and possibly the current-gen consoles will be covered with ports as well. Now all we have to do is wait for the word on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. (Infinity Ward, we're looking at you!) More info obviously hitting at E3.

[Thanks, icemorebutts, jason, & Hiro Protagonist]

[Update 1: Had to fix a verb. Thanks, Hiro Protagonist, John Q, & Jiiiiihad!]

See also:

JoystiqCall of Duty 3 announced; leak confirmed [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 May 2006 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionAlliedAlliesAmericanBig Red OneBigRedOneBritishCall of DutyCall of Duty 3Call of Duty: Modern WarfareCallOfDutyCallOfDuty3CallOfDuty:ModernWarfareCanadianconfirmedcurrent-genE3e32006early leakEarlyLeakFrancefreedom fightersFreedomFightersFrenchInfinity WardInfinityWardleakliberatedMetal Gear SolidMetal Gear Solid 4MetalGearSolidMetalGearSolid4MGSMGS4NaziNazi GermanyNaziGermanyNazisnext-genNormandyNormandy BreakoutNormandyBreakoutofficialParisPCPolishportportsPS2PS3RevolutionsequelsoldierstanksteaserTGStrailerTreyarchtroopsWiiWWIIWWII-relatedXboxXbox-360Sat, 06 May 2006 10:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtual battlefields train soldiers for real wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/14/virtual-battlefields-train-soldiers-for-real-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/14/virtual-battlefields-train-soldiers-for-real-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/14/virtual-battlefields-train-soldiers-for-real-wars/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've heard recently how games are good for you; here's another side of the story, which could unfortunately become fuel for the anti-game brigade's fires. The history of games and the military is a fairly long one, with recent titles like America's Army and A.W.E. bringing the two together.

This Washington Post article examines the use of gaming in the American military, from mission co-ordination to marksmanship training. It also looks at soldiers who play games--from those who relax off-duty with first-person shooters, to a sergeant, home from the war, who won't play the violent titles he formerly enjoyed.

Allowing soldiers to familiarise themselves with combat situations before experiencing them in real life seems to have its bonuses, best summarised by Marine Col Gary W. Anderson: "Today's soldiers, having grown up with first-person shooter games long before they joined the military, are the new Spartans."

[via /.]

JoystiqVirtual battlefields train soldiers for real wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Feb 2006 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armyfpsmilitarysoldiersTue, 14 Feb 2006 22:00:00 EST