America’s Army is a video game platform that exists as a way to recruit for the U.S. Army. The idea behind this project was to see if by creating a game highlighting the many aspects involved in an active war-like scenario in a way that was enjoyable and entertaining that the U.S. Army would be able to spark the interests of potential recruits. Although there is a long list of potential peers that could be contrasted with America’s Army, a few games that share many similar characteristics with this game include Close Combat: First to Fight, Full Spectrum Warrior, VBS1, The Glorious Mission,andMarine Doom
Close Combat: First to Fight is a U.S. Marine first person shooter game where three Marines are sent to Lebanon by the United Nations to intervene after Syria and Iran send forces. This game was designed with the input of many active duty and retired Marines.
Full Spectrum Warrior was developed in 2000 by the U.S. Army’s Science & Technology community because they were interested to see if they could create a video game sophisticated enough to elevate army training levels in the real world. The developers realized that new recruits were familiar with software products and wanted to make something that would satisfy their interests while being able to elevate their training methods.
VBS1 is a military simulator that enables the practice of small unit military tactics in an interactive multiplayer 3Denvironment. The platform provides real-time scenario management facilities, customized vehicles and equipment, user-definable mission scenarios, and variable environmental conditions. Because this system relies heavily on modern game technology, its combination with military simulator functionality excelled and resulted in a vast military customer base.
The Glorious Mission is a game that utilizes the realistic elements of war trough lifelike scenarios and detailed characteristics such as the weapons, uniforms, and vehicles to recruit and teach potential and current soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army.
Marine Doom is a game created in response to General Charles C. Krulak, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, who sought to utilize war games to enhance “Military Thinking and Decision Making Exercises”. The Marine Combat Development Command had task of developing, exploiting and approving computer-based wargames to train U.S. Marines for “decision making skills, particularly when live training time and opportunities were limited.”
