Weenie Roast…
What are you doing this Fourth of July? Will you be listening to Toby Keith’s “The Angry American”? How about saluting the O’Reilley factor? Or maybe you’ll just be playing good ol’, patriotic videogames (warning: obnoxious Flash).
The Army has been developing a top secret, covert videogame to use as a recruiting tool for the next generation of twitch gamers. Running on the latest version of the Unreal engine, the first incarnation of this game will be released on the Fourth of July, free to all who want to fight virtual terrorism. In fact, every version of this game is free. Has taxpayer money been used to make videogames? I can’t tell yet, but I wouldn’t be suprised. Oddly enough, despite its obviously controversial premise, it seems like it may turn out to be a good game.
It should be noted that us videogame freaks had no idea that anything like this was brewing until E3 which was a little over a month ago. Leave it to the Army to pull a fast one on us. Anyway, the game is comprised of two sections, “Operations” and “Soldiers.” “Soldiers” is an RPG-esque game which follows the player from new recruit to Sergeant. “Operations,” which will debut in its “Recon” form on Thursday, is the online multiplayer version. The twist is that before you hop online, players must complete Basic Training, which servers will track the progress of. In fact, to use the sniper rifle and other weapons, the player must complete Sniper School and whatnot. In multiplayer, both sides will believe that they are on the US side. Later this summer, the Sniper, Paratrooper, and Ranger modules will be released. At end of summer, a two CD set of the finished game will be available at recruiting stations and whatnot. The game is reportedly rather Counterstrike-like, with a ridiculous emphasis on realism.
As a former Rogue Spear junkie, I await the opportunity to serve my country in the best way I know how. Look at it this way, the Army is just getting back at an industry that embraces anti-American icons. Mario was an Italian. Ever heard of Mussolini? Ryu from Street Fighter? Damn Japanese. Don’t even get them started on the Prince of Persia…
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4 Replies to “Weenie Roast…”
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nice post, but a little bit of a stretch there at the end…
yeah, it was one oclock or something when i posted all that. i think at some point, you just really want to mention the prince of persia, and you’ll go to any lengths to work him in. obviously, nothing at that point is meant with any seriousness. sleepyscott posts whatever he wants.
That was fun. I think I’ll enlist.
It is actually a brilliant move on the Army’s part. I’m not going to enlist, but I can see a lot of easily influenced people giving it some thought after playing the game. Excellent PR.