[Vertigo1]

Meh, I seriously hope they start going after cheaters.  The fewer the better IMO.

[JR2000Z]

Originally posted by demon442
The reaon they make the WWII reference is because that's all they've got.  The US army isn't suited for technical work anyway, their mental conditioning makes even their IT departments just no-gun combat teams.

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by demon442
The reaon they make the WWII reference is because that's all they've got.  The US army isn't suited for technical work anyway, their mental conditioning makes even their IT departments just no-gun combat teams.

In the interest of fairness, I'd just like to point out these sort of things are usually subcontracted to specialists.

[vyper]

Originally posted by demon442
if the standard annoyance tactics fail, then they're probably gonna go to college and make something of themselves anyway.

[Unknown Target]

Originally posted by demon442
The reaon they make the WWII reference is because that's all they've got.  The US army isn't suited for technical work anyway, their mental conditioning makes even their IT departments just no-gun combat teams.

And I dont agree with using video games as a recruitment tool either.  The way I see it, if the standard annoyance tactics fail, then they're probably gonna go to college and make something of themselves anyway.

Once again, more dumb-nutted, ill-informed America blasting comments

[vyper]

Makes a pleasant change from dumb nutted, ill informed Americans blasting.

[Jetmech Jr.]

I hate crackers. SO much.

"Take 'em down, boys. Make me proud!"

And if a game is enough to make you join the Army, You DESERVE to sign your life away.

[vyper]

You know gaming contains very subtle mental suggestions.

[aldo_14]

Especially to the young (it's deliberately targeted at the 13+ age group; i.e. kids)

[Jetmech Jr.]

You're joking, right? I'll just assume you guys are joking, because I don't have either of you guys figured as 'tards

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Jetmech Jr.
You're joking, right? I'll just assume you guys are joking, because I don't have either of you guys figured as 'tards

Have you not looked at the FAQ on the AA site, then?

[q]

Q: Why are you doing the game?
A: … it is part of the Army's communications strategy…

The Army's game is an entertaining way for young adults to explore the Army and its adventures and opportunities as a virtual Soldier. As such, it is part of the Army's communications strategy designed to leverage the power of the Internetas a portal through which young adults can get a first hand look at what it is like to be a Soldier. The game introduces players to different Army schools, Army training, and life in the Army. Given the popularity of computer games and the ability of the Internet to deliver great content, a game was the perfect venue for highlighting different aspects of the Army. Firms such as Toyota have used games for this educational purpose with considerable success.
(Last Updated: 2003-08-21)

Q: Is this a recruiting tool?
A: … it provides young adults and their influencers with virtual insights about the Army…

The game is designed to provide young adults and their influencers with virtual insights into entry level Soldier training, training in units and Army operations so as to provide insights into what the Army is like. As in the past, the Army's success in attracting high-potential young adults is essential to building the world's premier land force. With the passage of time, elimination of the draft and reductions in the size of the Army have resulted in a marked decrease in the number of Americans who have served in the Army and from whom young adults can gain vicarious insights into the challenges and rewards of Soldiering and national service. Therefore, the game is designed to substitute virtual experiences for vicarious insights. It does this in an engaging format that takes advantage of young adults' broad use of the Internet for research and communication and their interest in games for entertainment and exploration.
(Last Updated: 2003-08-21)

Q: Should children 13+ be exposed to what the Army does?
A: …young adults can see how our training builds and prepares Soldiers to serve in units in defense of freedom.

In elementary school kids learn about the actions of the Continental Army that won our freedoms under George Washington and the Army's role in ending Hitler's oppression. Today they need to know that the Army is engaged around the world to defeat terrorist forces bent on the destruction of America and our freedoms. The game provides a virtual means to explore a variety of Soldier experiences in basic training, advanced training, and training missions in real world Army units, so that young adults can see how our training builds and prepares Soldiers to serve in units in defense of freedom.
(Last Updated: 2003-08-21) [/q]
(my emphasis)

It provides youths ('young adults'), with an entertaining way to play at being an American soldier; you'll notice that all the 'vicarious insights' are positive (adventures!  defend freedom!)

Plus the army readily admits it's a recruiting tool.  whilst he army has a right to recruit, I don't think any organisation should be allowed to launch a mass-marketing campaign aimed at those who are too young to give informed consent / legally work for that company.

(see also http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20020902&s=hodes20020823)

[Jetmech Jr.]

I'm not saying it's not aimed at recruiting youths, just that a) Retards who actually think a Video Game is enough to convince them to join the army deserve to be screwed over, and b) I still fail to see 'subtle mental suggestions.'

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Jetmech Jr.
I'm not saying it's not aimed at recruiting youths, just that a) Retards who actually think a Video Game is enough to convince them to join the army deserve to be screwed over, and b) I still fail to see 'subtle mental suggestions.'

That's why they're called 'subtle'.

EDIT; oh, and
[q]
According to a poll by I for I Research, 30% of young people who had a positive view of the military said that they had developed that view by playing the game. One result is appearing at the military academy at West Point where 19 per cent of 2003's freshman class claim they had played the game. [/q]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americas_army#Controversy

[Jetmech Jr.]

19 per cent of 2003's freshman class claim they had played the game.

So? IIRC, the you could actually get a free copy of the game for joining up, so I fail to see how this accurately measures it's recruiting abilities.

And "Positive View" is a different thing altogether. I can have a positive view of Green Peace or Vegetarians, doesn't mean I'm gonna b like them.

[vyper]

Okay lets approach this from another angle.

Do you conceed that it is a recruitment tool?

[Deepblue]

It is a recruitment tool albiet not a very effective one. The game is fun and free so I play it.

[Flipside]

The thing is, statistics may be misleading here. Just because a high percentage of people who have joined the Army lately have played AA, it doesn't actually follow that AA is what is causing them to join if you see what I mean?

However, I think the statement is bloody hilarious! It gives a whole new dimension to the term 'Flame', DS himself would be proud

[Unknown Target]

It's a recruitment tool, it was developed and released as a recruitment tool, but the thing itself is actually just a fun game. 99% of the kids (KIDS) who play it see it as a game, akin to Counter Strike. And the only reason people are going after it for "exposing children to the real army in a fun way" is cause it's sponsoed by the Army itself. Look at Counter Strike, Rainbow Six, all of that stuff. In some small way, they are all what the army does. Even thought that's not exactly true--it's true that AA:O does show a more realistic view--but that's because it's right from the source--if game devs had the same resources, they'd produce a game experience just as realistc.


EDIT: And it's not like playing the game mind-washes you into joining. Hell, it probably makes people want to join even LESS, with the amount of times you die in that game The Army says it's a recruitment tool, they use it as a recruitment tool, but the gamers in the world just say it's a really good game (or was a really good game). They don't look at it, play it and go "Oh, this is fun---I should suit up, join up, and go fight for the real thing!"

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Deepblue
It is a recruitment tool albiet not a very effective one. The game is fun and free so I play it.

If it's not effective, why are your tax dollars still being pumped into it?  The military isn't reknowned for it's altruism, after all..........

[Unknown Target]

It's also not known for it's wise spending habits.