Real GIs Star In Video Game(As U.S. Army Recruiting Tool + action figures)

[maddezmom]

AP) Move over, G.I. Joe. The Army has found some recruits in its latest effort to enlist soldiers.

In a campaign targeting teenagers, the Army announced on Thursday a new version of its "America's Army" video game, incorporating digital likenesses of eight actual soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We're trying to put a face on soldiers so that kids can relate to them," said Col. Casey Wardynski, director of the America's Army project. "It's hard to relate to a big green machine. This is a chance to get to know some of them who have done really outstanding things."

The "America's Army Real Heroes" program will also include a series of $10 action figures, based on the same real soldiers, in store shelves by Christmas, Wardynski said.

more:http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/14/national/main2007242.shtml

Fast Fact:About 27 million copies of the taxpayer-funded game have been distributed since its July 4, 2002, debut, and there are about 7.5 million registered users.
:puke:

[NOLADEM]

1. Is the game realistic?

Do you drive around Baghdad hauling Haliburton party supplies while dodging IED's?

Is there a bonus round where you plant weapons on civilians and kill them for bonus points?

Are there numerous trick exit doors that lead back to the beginning of the game?

Are there endless hours spent sitting in the Green Zone playing Ping Pong?

Does the game have a cover price of $1 but they bill you $1M later?

Do the instructions tell you to play it in front of an open oven to simulate conditions in Baghdad?

[fed-up]

2. "put a face on soldiers "-do they take off arms and legs???? nt

[gratuitous]

3. A taxpayer-funded game

Anybody remember voting for anyone who promised a new version of "America's Army"?

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. I'm sure the secret levels are a cut-up

Every mission has a secret objective. Fulfil the objective and find the hidden door, and you will get to play a secret level as a security guard at Abu Graib, where you gain points for humiliating people who may or may not be terrorists (not that you should care about the distinction.)

[noonwitch]

5. I don't have a problem with this

The military has always had "cool" stuff to give to potential recruits. The videogame is just reflective of what today's teens enjoy.

But I'm not one of those who has any issues about military recruiters trying to recruit high school and college youths to join up. I know people in the military, had family members who served (my dad seved in Korea just after the war, an uncle and a cousin served in Vietnam, and my great-uncle was a Seabee in WWII). It's an honorable career choice, and I've seen the military experience straighten out some of the delinquents I used to work with.

[Javaman]

6. Will they come with detachable limbs?

This is fucking bizarre.