The US Army and Gamers

[Slayer_2]

Before I start this discussion, I'd like to mention that I am NOT anti-American, I have American friends and respect American people. Now to the fun part.

Is it just me or is the US Army preying on gamers? Being Canadian I care very little about what the US government is up to, however I cannot help but notice the US Army's influence on the internet. I've always known about "America's Army", the US Army's propaganda (now in video-game format!). Being a modder I have a few mods on Mod DB. I heard about a "Mod of the Year" contest and checked out the 2008 page.

The first thing that drew my eye was a large blue-and-silver "PRESENTED BY THE U.S. AIR FORCE" logo. Scroll further down and you'll see a blurb full of the usual feel-good text from dear old Uncle Sam. Check it out here: http://www.moddb.com/events/2008-mod-of-the-year-awards

So far I haven't noticed this kind of advertising very much around the interent, but now I think its only going to become more common. I must wonder why though. Most likely because internet-based advertising is much cheaper and more effective then previous methods. I have to wonder why they're targeting modders. Tweaking Half Life 2 is a fair bit different from flying around at Mach 2. Not to mention that most soldiers are probably in great shape, while I am willing to bet that most gamers sure aren't.

I'm also concerned with the American Government trying to make war seem like a video-game. I'm not talking just about "America's Army" but also their official website. They make everything seem fun and glorious. Nothing new in the field of military propaganda, I know, but I can't help but worry especially considering the target audience. If you want to serve your country, thats one thing, but if you think the Iraq war is the new Modern Warfare 2, you probably shouldn't be in the military.

To wrap up my speech I'd like to remind everyone that I have nothing against Americans, so please don't go all patriotic on me. Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna go play some World at War.

 

[Wickedshot]

I dunno, if anything I'd say America's Army game is a more objective view than other shooters. And its fairly informative. It does glorify America a bit, and you do get that propaganda feel, but I wouldn't say it glorifies killing more than other games.

Only funny thing in it is that both sides play as the Army trying to kill the terrorists, so like no matter what side you're on the enemy looks like terrorists heh.
Reminds me of an Outer Limits episode where they give their troops a special hallucinogenic drug to make their enemies look like buggy aliens, when they were in fact just peaceful factory workers.

 

[sheic99]

So far I haven't noticed this kind of advertising very much around the interent, but now I think its only going to become more common. I must wonder why though. Most likely because internet-based advertising is much cheaper and more effective then previous methods. I have to wonder why they're targeting modders. Tweaking Half Life 2 is very similar to reading and interpreting output on a computer. Not to mention that most soldiers are probably in great shape, while I am willing to bet that most gamers sure aren't.

Fixed it there for you. Remember not all jobs in the military require combat. They'd prefer computer savvy people, so they advertise on a gaming site. Makes sense to me.

 

[JRCB]

I agree. I've seen the U.S. Military sponsoring a LOT on video game related websites, and even heard of them hosting Halo 3 contests!

 

[azadiscool]

I don't care as long as more games like America's Army 3 are developed.

Anyways, look at it this way. Stupid person joins army, stupid person dies, stupid person never gets to breed, gene pool benefits! Unless they are working on radar or some wussy job like that (lol, I am one to talk).

 

[Slayer_2]

Fixed it there for you. Remember not all jobs in the military require combat. They'd prefer computer savvy people, so they advertise on a gaming site. Makes sense to me.

Fine, put it this way: "Tweaking Half Life 2 is very similar to reading and interpreting output on a computer, except it you fuck up, worse things are going to happen then your game crashing".

 

[Zac_Dai]

Actually it doesn't surprise me seeing the USAF sponsoring gaming/modding.

I predict UAVs are going to be replacing normal fighter jets in the future, so I assume they are after people who can design, build and use the kind of software thats going to be required.

I remember seeing a UK ad for the British Army and in it you see a guy controlling a UAV with a 360 controller.

 

[firedfns13]

well considering that so much of new technology has changed the way the US and NATO countries fight wars (by proxy), it might as well be a video game. Those white glowing shadows aren't people...

I'd like to say they're advertising for the more intelligent people, the ones that mod are good at programming, problem solving, etc. You can get fit physically by going to boot camp, but you can't grow a brain if you don't have one.

 

[Slayer_2]

well considering that so much of new technology has changed the way the US and NATO countries fight wars (by proxy), it might as well be a video game. Those white glowing shadows aren't people...

I'd like to say they're advertising for the more intelligent people, the ones that mod are good at programming, problem solving, etc. You can get fit physically by going to boot camp, but you can't grow a brain if you don't have one.

Actually, I beleive you could probably enhance your brain if you wanted to, only its not quite as simple as pumping iron. It's called "learning"

There was a big section on this in the Rise Of Video Gaming documentary and it was pointed out that without the aid of the military.. we likely wouldn't have the 3D worlds that we enjoy, and certianly not in the detail that we enjoy it today. Most of the development of that technology came directly as a result of battle simulators that were contracted by the American government for use in training.. in return, the army received an amazing recruiting tool for a new generation.

I'll admit that it's not all bad and that the military did create many advances in out technology. But still, it is rather tasteless in my opinion. Some advertising fits in certain areas (advertise games on a gaming website, maybe?) but this is a bit ridiculous.

 

[ElephantGuts]

So? The army needs cannon fodder. That's how it works. Who are you to deny them this vital resource with which they fight to defend your freedoms?

 

[Artemis923]

Actually it doesn't surprise me seeing the USAF sponsoring gaming/modding.

I predict UAVs are going to be replacing normal fighter jets in the future, so I assume they are after people who can design, build and use the kind of software thats going to be required.

I remember seeing a UK ad for the British Army and in it you see a guy controlling a UAV with a 360 controller.

I was furious when I was told aviation was out of the question for me when I was at MEPS. I'm a beast at Ace Combat.

 

[Barry93]

There's nothing wrong with that. People should be intelligent and mature enough to see through those sort of things and decide for themselves what's best for their future. The U.S army has the right to try and recruit people, this is America after all. Infinity Ward has already stated they try to make CoD seem like an "over the top hollywood action thriller."

Many jobs in the U.S army do seem like a videogamea actually. many pilots say it feels like their playing a game, especially the ones who pilot the Apache Longbow.

The U.S army isn't all about being on the frontlines. The majority are non-combat. Only 4% of the U.S Air Force are actually pilots.

 

[Aur0ra145]

Video gamers would make great predator pilots. Therefore they won't have to take any real pilots off the line and out of fighters.

 

[Dalisclock]

The U.S army isn't all about being on the frontlines. The majority are non-combat. Only 4% of the U.S Air Force are actually pilots.

And those are all Officers.

 

[captainwalrus]

Fixed it there for you. Remember not all jobs in the military require combat. They'd prefer computer savvy people, so they advertise on a gaming site. Makes sense to me.

Fine, put it this way: "Tweaking Half Life 2 is very similar to reading and interpreting output on a computer, except it you fuck up, worse things are going to happen then your game crashing".

Perhaps, that's why they would prefer computer savvy people in the first place??

Maybe I have a bit of misplaced optimism for the general public, but I'm willing to bet that most people can differentiate between a video game and real life. Furthermore, it's not as simple as just signing up and being shipped out to Iraq. I mean, really, there is a basic training process.

 

[Slayer_2]

Perhaps, that's why they would prefer computer savvy people in the first place??

Ummm, obviously thats the target audience, and your point is?

Furthermore, it's not as simple as just signing up and being shipped out to Iraq. I mean, really, there is a basic training process.

Yes, I know that, but when you sign on, the military basically owns you for a certain amount of time, so if you want out, thats too bad.

 

[captainwalrus]

Ummm, obviously thats the target audience, and your point is?

Someone who has a better initial understanding of computers is less likely to "fuck up", is more easily trained in the use of military systems, and will actually have an interest in entering a computer-intensive MOS.

Yes, I know that, but when you sign on, the military basically owns you for a certain amount of time, so if you want out, thats too bad.

What I was getting at is if a recruit shows that he is physically, mentally, or emotionally incapable of handling the duress of war or the strains of military service, he's not going to simply walk through basic training.