According to GamePolitics.com, and first reported in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, a group of Iraq war veterans staged a protest in front of a booth promoting the upcoming American's Army: Special Forces, which also doubled as an army recruitment booth. In video from the expo, the group of about 90 men and women, wearing t-shirts showing they were members of "Iraq Veterans Against the War" lined up at the booth in a military style formation. There is then the sound of a squad leader shouting off-camera. The veterans then shout, "WAR IS NOT A GAME!" three times before disbanding. Check the video: Although I tend to dismiss criticisms of violent games as training for real-life scenarios, there can be little doubt that the America's Army series of games is meant to be a tool for recruitment. This is how the game is described on the official America's Army site: "In the America's Army game, players are bound by Rules of Engagement (ROE) and grow in experience as they navigate challenges in teamwork-based, multiplayer, force versus force operations. In the game, as in the Army, accomplishing missions requires a team effort and adherence to the seven Army Core Values. Through its emphasis on team play, the game demonstrates these values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage and makes them integral to success in America's Army. In keeping with the dynamic nature of Soldiering, the America's Army game will continue to expand and will allow players to explore the Army of today, tomorrow and the future. There's strong, and then there's Army Strong!" What do you think? Is the Department of Defense using video games as a way to transition kids from fictional soldiers to real-life soldiers? Is this necessarily a bad thing? Let me know what you think. Source
Yeah america's army was never anything special. Now i ahve no problem with them using games as recruitment tools. Whether I choose to become a soldier or buy the game period (nope) is my choice. No one's forcing anyone.
I watched a 1 hour show about this game onDemand a few months back. I'm not really sure how i feel about games as a recruitment tool. I think I'd have to say I have mixed feelings about it.
According to GamePolitics.com, and first reported in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, a group of Iraq war veterans staged a protest in front of a booth promoting the upcoming American's Army: Special Forces, which also doubled as an army recruitment booth. In video from the expo, the group of about 90 men and women, wearing t-shirts showing they were members of "Iraq Veterans Against the War" lined up at the booth in a military style formation. There is then the sound of a squad leader shouting off-camera. The veterans then shout, "WAR IS NOT A GAME!" three times before disbanding. Check the video: Although I tend to dismiss criticisms of violent games as training for real-life scenarios, there can be little doubt that the America's Army series of games is meant to be a tool for recruitment. This is how the game is described on the official America's Army site: "In the America's Army game, players are bound by Rules of Engagement (ROE) and grow in experience as they navigate challenges in teamwork-based, multiplayer, force versus force operations. In the game, as in the Army, accomplishing missions requires a team effort and adherence to the seven Army Core Values. Through its emphasis on team play, the game demonstrates these values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage and makes them integral to success in America's Army. In keeping with the dynamic nature of Soldiering, the America's Army game will continue to expand and will allow players to explore the Army of today, tomorrow and the future. There's strong, and then there's Army Strong!" What do you think? Is the Department of Defense using video games as a way to transition kids from fictional soldiers to real-life soldiers? Is this necessarily a bad thing? Let me know what you think. Source
Comments
I'd like to join them but not for the same reason. I just think the game sucks.
Yeah america's army was never anything special. Now i ahve no problem with them using games as recruitment tools. Whether I choose to become a soldier or buy the game period (nope) is my choice. No one's forcing anyone.
I watched a 1 hour show about this game onDemand a few months back. I'm not really sure how i feel about games as a recruitment tool. I think I'd have to say I have mixed feelings about it.