Frag all you can frag

July 17, 2003 9:39 AM

America's Armywants you, Mac users. The recruitment tool game has been out for some time now, available only for Windows, but as of this week Mac users can get in on the action. Broadband and robust Mac horsepower required, but for $6 somebody hands you an M-16 and tells to go shoot stuff. Why not?
posted by emelenjr (26 comments total)

Because why would anyone want to play army on your computer? You could join the Army for free and shoot M-16's in Iraq.
posted by jeremias at 9:49 AM on July 17, 2003

iRaq
posted by ColdChef at 9:50 AM on July 17, 2003

Do the M-16s come in Tangerine?
posted by m@ at 9:55 AM on July 17, 2003

I think the army has a don't-ask-don't-tell policy on using Macs.
posted by mathowie at 9:56 AM on July 17, 2003

If you get the high score, you're automatically enlisted.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:01 AM on July 17, 2003

Join the army, see the world, meet exciting new people, and kill them.

I think the army has a don't-ask-don't-tell policy on using Macs.

HAHAHAHAHA Funny stuff.

Well, at least there are some developers out there that are working. Better than being out of a job. Maybe the USAF will sponsor a kickass flight sim next.

Interesting to see how the recruitment numbers play out over the next 5-10 years from this very blatant ploy to get young people hooked in.
The summer Topgun came out, I seem to recall the Navy saying it had a positive effect on their recruiting efforts. 5% seems to come to mind, but that is a long time ago, so don't take it to the bank.
posted by a3matrix at 10:01 AM on July 17, 2003

iRaq


LMAO
Best. iJoke. Ever.
posted by cinderful at 10:03 AM on July 17, 2003

OK, I'm as big a defender of applefilter as any, but seriously.. a piece of software gets ported to the Mac platform? Thankfully this isn't such a big news item these days.

On the other hand, iRaq is farking hilarious.
posted by Space Coyote at 10:15 AM on July 17, 2003

It was ported to Linux a while back. I downloaded it, but it froze when I tried to start the first mission. Oh well, back to dual-booting for Nascar2003, GP4 and GTA3.
posted by salmacis at 10:18 AM on July 17, 2003

OK, so maybe the FPP is a bit Pepsi Blue-ish, but I thought it was worthy given that the game was developed by the Army.

From the FAQ:
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.

Jeez, a simple "No." would have sufficed.

As for the gameplay, I still haven't progressed beyond basic training so I haven't been able to shoot anything other than pop-up targets on a range at Ft. Benning.
posted by emelenjr at 10:45 AM on July 17, 2003

Sounds like a simple "yes" to me.

And the whole "influencers" thing is creeping me out, too. Nobody should have that much influence on anyone else, teen or not.
posted by hazyjane at 11:05 AM on July 17, 2003

I frequently play this game. I have since it was released a long time ago. To tell you the truth, this game helps me relax and take my mind off of day to day life.

The gameplay is about as real as a game can get, using current technology. Gameplay is a little morbid for some (My girlfriend dislikes it) but I enjoy it. Take it for what it is.. A game.
posted by Decypher at 11:10 AM on July 17, 2003

'and their influencers' makes me cringe.
posted by Space Coyote at 11:15 AM on July 17, 2003

Why not?

Because it's banal and I have much better things to do. Like respond to Metafilter FPPs.
posted by filchyboy at 11:24 AM on July 17, 2003

God damn I want to kill people.
posted by xmutex at 11:24 AM on July 17, 2003

I play it alot and I'm impressed by the devs support for not only Linux but Mac as well. Not bad for free. As a recruiting tool, I'm not in the prime demographic unless they want a nearly-40, flatfooted Norwegian alcoholic.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 11:32 AM on July 17, 2003

I've never played it, but the primary reaction I've seen from people who have played it isn't "I WANNA BE AN AIRBORNE RANGER!" or "I wanna kill! Kill! KILL!! I want blood and gore and guts and veeeeins in ma teeth!"

Rather it's been "Geez, it's easy to kill your own guys."
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 12:01 PM on July 17, 2003

The game certainly does explain the amount of friendly fire we've seen in the past two Gulf wars - it's just TOUGH to effectively respond AND perform snap threat-assessment judgements simultaneously. If anything, it swore me (further) off joining the military because there was no way in Hell I was getting into the pit when the way urban combat functions is to effectively encourage FF.

It is, however, a damn fine implementation and a great game - very well-done all around especially for free. Good addition to any platform's gaming lineup.

The thing is, though - they spend so much in advertising per recruit that it will take VERY few recruits to economically justify the game's existence to your average taxpayer.
posted by Ryvar at 12:12 PM on July 17, 2003

I think the army has a don't-ask-don't-tell policy on using Macs.

*cough*
posted by trondant at 1:02 PM on July 17, 2003

I thought this was free. All I see is a buy this button. The download button doesn't work.
posted by untuckedshirts at 1:56 PM on July 17, 2003

I gave the Windows version a try when it first came out and I wasn't very impressed.

However, I've had a glorious time playing "Enemy Territory".
posted by grum@work at 1:57 PM on July 17, 2003

I couldn't make it through simulated bootcamp. I kept flipping out and trying to kill the instructor.
posted by Veritron at 2:35 PM on July 17, 2003

Do you get to turn on your 'buddies' and fight the American Imperialist War Machine, ala Deus Ex?

I'd only be interested in it, if I could do that.

*controversial*
posted by Blue Stone at 3:35 PM on July 17, 2003

bluestone: team killing is for llamas.
posted by turbodog at 4:11 PM on July 17, 2003

It's a damn good game, free or not. I do feel a bit icky playing online, though. I'm used to 14 year-olds kicking my ass in online games, but it's weird to think that in a few years many of them may be in Iraq/Iran/NK doing that stuff for real. I suppose that's what bugs me about it - it reminds me about the slight contradiction of a very pacificist person like myself loving KILL'EM ALL type games.
posted by GriffX at 4:56 PM on July 17, 2003

A recent review of america's army
http://www.insidemacgames.com/reviews/view.php?ID=387
says the game emphasizes the tactics of military combat. How is this possible if the game is built on the unreal tournament (hack and slash) engine?
posted by xtian at 5:44 PM on July 24, 2003