Are video games becoming a combat training tool for todays and futures youth ages 10-18?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 10:08:03 -0400

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 26 at 2014 10:11 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 10:11:52 -0400

I don't know that a kid knowing to counter a "pikachu" with a "squirtle" is really a valid form of combat simulation...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 10:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 10:12:34 -0400

I think we can both agree that there is a bit more to combat than pushing buttons while stuffing oneself with Cheetos and Mountain Dew.

There may be some benefit to strategic games which require some thought and planning, but I do not see much value in them as they are now... Currently designed for entertainment only.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Mar 26 at 2014 11:18 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 11:18:23 -0400

To the extent that video games inspire positive youth to consider joining the US Military, I think that's a good thing. Remember, the Army itself has created multiple video games as an effort to help with recruiting.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2014 3:00 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:00:04 -0400

Well, let's look historically at the U.S. Army's attempt to make that the case.

The Army created a video game: America's Army(AA) and rolled it out and even provided some expansion content. These games were largely ignored and hated by many gamers because they simulated a lot of things that shoot-em-ups like Battlefield and COD do not. Such as, realistic damage from getting shot. There is no taking a mag in AA and then running into a corner, throwing a medic kit and getting warm and fuzzy from it. There IS getting shot with 2 rounds and being critically wounded. If you're shot in the leg, you lose mobility which will ultimately lead to your death. If you get shot you start to bleed - that bleeding will lead to your death. They also implemented single round combat - meaning if you were killed...you stayed dead until the next round. That is rare anymore, it is all about fastest "respawn". In these games the precept exists that when you die - you're dead - when you respawn it means you respawned into a new avatar.

They implemented these realistic features and pissed off the gaming community who is there to "win" so to speak. Vast majority of players I saw were all focused on individual play and wouldn't coordinate as a team. That is the BIGGEST problem with these games.... >>> In real operations your actions can lead to your squads deaths -- In virtual operations, you can tinker with being Rambo to try and get the best score to show off, etc.

AA may have been ahead of its time. I think it could be used fairly well to influence future soldiers (simulating battles that took place in the past as learning tools for example). The graphics need to be up to par with the newer games, the realistic elements of bleeding, mobility limitations (due to gear and due to injury/wounds) - that puts 2 and 2 together in a persons head. "Oh shit, my battle buddy was shot and is pinned down under fire - he is bleeding and I only have a minute to save him." I should throw a smoke and coordinate suppressive fire so I can reach him and begin treatment.

Tactical thoughts.

I'd recommend people to look into America's Army, it's buggy but it does a damn fine job of simulating parts of combat. (Certainly not the 140 degree heat of Iraq, but hey... )

Response by Amn TeiJae Taylor made Jan 24 at 2020 11:39 PM

Amn TeiJae Taylor — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 23:39:43 -0500

I believe it is training for the mind of those youth. To feel at ease shooting at rendered humans for a team or a cause without regret has (not could) transference abilities. Dungeons and Dragons was played out in realtime as with other games but young minds (and some old ones too) tend to forget the lines between reality and fantasy.

Response by PFC James (LURCH) Janota made Apr 18 at 2021 11:42 AM

PFC James (LURCH) Janota — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 11:42:19 -0400

You can’t respawn in real life.