Army Video Game

Colleges and Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
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<p><a href="http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060919/NEWS/609190313%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060919/NEWS/609190313&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Army's new video game developed at West Point</p>

<p>By Greg Bruno
September 19, 2006
Times Herald-Record
West Point — G.I. Joe has a new ally in the war for teenagers' attention.</p>

<p>Aimed at increasing its pool of youthful enlistees, the Army has released a free video game starring the digital likenesses of eight decorated combat veterans. It was developed by the Army's Office of Economic and Manpower Analysis at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.</p>

<p>"Previous to this edition, we'd have generic soldiers and faces," said Christopher Chambers, deputy director of the America's Army Real Heroes Program. "We told an authentic story, but we wanted to personalize it and quite literally put a human face on the Army."</p>

<p>The game's unveiling — and the planned release of collectable action figures by the holiday shopping season — comes after a year of failed recruiting goals for the Army, the first since 1999.</p>

<p>This year the numbers are looking better. As of last month, the Army had signed up nearly 73,000 new recruits, 4 percent more than its goal for 2006.</p>

<p>While America's Army officials say recruiting isn't the game's principal purpose, its popularity has been enormous. Today more than 7.5 million users are registered, logging more than 160 million hours of play, planners say.</p>

<p>Once installed, the taxpayer-funded download enables players to assume first-person roles of U.S. Army soldiers. Experienced players can team up with other players online for simulated battles.</p>

<p>The latest version, "America's Army: Special Forces," is the first to feature real soldiers.</p>

<p>They are heroes like Maj. Jason Amerine, a former Special Forces commander and assistant professor of international relations at West Point, who won the Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan. And Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Wolford, who served with the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq and spent time at West Point this summer teaching cadets.</p>

<p>Wolford says being featured as an action figure and video game character is the ultimate honor for him and his soldiers.</p>

<p>"We hope our stories and the stories of our soldiers can influence young people to act in a positive manner," Wolford said. "If that points them in the direction of service, that's great."</p>

<p>His son thinks it's pretty cool, too. "He says he's going to play with the G.I. Joe guys," Wolford said. "Now he knows he'll always win."</p>

<p>For a free download of "America's Army: Special Forces," visit <a href="http://www.americasarmy.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.americasarmy.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p>

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<p>Haha. I've been playing this game for the last 3 years and it really is amazing seeing the development. When I was at West Point for SLS my Leadership and Ethics workshop was held in the building where they had at least some offices for the makers of the game. They had all these posters up for the new version and I didn't realize it had been made there.</p>

<p>What's funny is I just downloaded the new version last night (or the first part anyway, and it took 1.5 hours to do it!)</p>

<p>Word of advice, don't download this game if you have addictive tendencies. I've logged hundreds of hours playing that game and if I hadn't weaned myself off of it before Junior year for the most part I probably would no longer have a shot at West Point.</p>

<p>But it is a fun game! And the new version is quite amazing. I look forward to playing it today... after my Cross Country meet... wish me luck!</p>

<p>(And also I hope you are all doing well on your applications. I haven't been posting lately because I've been so busy but I have been doing some lurking. Happy hunting!)</p>

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<p>Yes very addictive game indeed! But it is sooo easy to do all the training now, SF doesn't have a classroom and BRM is cake. My favorite map by far is SF hospital. </p>

<p>WPwannabe how'd your CC meet go?</p>

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<p>I'm somewhat partial to Pipeline SF... but yeah, not much time to play anymore.</p>

<p>Well, I did okay at the meet wednesday, but, though I am a senior and "technically" I'm varsity (which, mind you, is AWESOME for me because I admit I'm not a varsity athlete), I am not very good and really run the JV Races. But anyway, did okay in that meet, I always push hard and so I'm always satisfied in how I do, even though I don't do well.</p>

<p>Today I spent all day at the coast in Seaside, OR for the 3 Couse Challenge (its a Nike sponsored event, pretty cool)... basically they have three courses throughout the beach area at an Army National Guard Camp (Camp Rilea)... there's an easy, moderate and hard course and, well, since I'm a senior I ended up doing the hard one. oof. Sand hills galore, all uphill of course. There's even a big muddy pit you have to wade through at about halfway through. It was tough, but fun. I'm sad this is the only (and last) year I'll be able to do XC. I enjoy it. And it's nice that I can still enjoy something I'm not the best at.</p>

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<p>You aren't going to walk on at USMA or whatever college you may be attending? I am in the same situation as you except I am a swimmer. Except, if I get into USMA, I'll walk on and try out. If I don't get in, I'm just going to focus on school and Army ROTC. </p>

<p>BTW, may I ask what your time was? Just curious, I have a bunch of friends that run XC and I was jw.</p>

<p>Back on topic though, just finished re-doing training on 2.7. SF HOS is still way fun. Oh and my AA screenname is ROTCfreshmen, uh yeah. lol</p>

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<p>Is this an organization we can join at USMA, or is it just made by school admins there? Just Wondering, because that would be cool if we could help with game ideas and learn how to develop electronic games. I probably wouldn't be able to do it though because I'd be so busy with academics and possibly swim team.</p>

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<p>dude its not a west point or usma game... its a game developed by the collective army, and as they claim, it's used for both fun and training purposes. I think its really fun though, but multiplayer kinda stinks since u only have one life, which i uppose is good for training, but for gaming, it kinda silly...</p>

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<p>"It was developed by the Army's Office of Economic and Manpower Analysis at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point."</p>

<p>Why would it be in this thread if it wasn't related to USMA? Not many people on here play TOO many video games I am assuming and don't come on here to discuss them, at least. (Unless, as stated before, west point related.)</p>

<p>I tend to chose squad leader positions, which comes with many pros. 1) I can "learn to lead" 2) More points for staying alive 3) More likely to stay alive because I don't go rambo, I give orders and only spearhead if my squad is competent to go with me 4) More exciting complementing and making the game more fun. I don't lead in SF, though because everyone goes solo and doen't care about the CO. Just thought I'd add that.</p>