Military training has always been a bit of a sticky issue, as it can be hard to accurately portray the battlefield. While some tactics aren’t representative at all, others can be almost off putting in their accuracy. Now, these video games are being used to give troops an insight into the real world of war.
Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator (MACS)
This isn’t new tech at all, having come out for the SNES in the 90s. It came with a light gun and was developed in conjunction with the US Army to not only allow soldiers to practice but also to rate them as they did so.
This allows a soldier to use the light weight peripheral to improve their accuracy and practice in different scenarios. This is quite a basic simulator but it still proved to be effective.
VR Combat Training
Virtual reality is leading the way for many games developers, including those that develop military software. This type of game has become really popular, as players are able to really immerse themselves in the world of the game. This is perfect for military training, as they can experience what the battlefield is like without actually being in danger.
This is also being used on training sites for gamblers as online casinos are keen to tempt their players into playing new and interesting games. There are plenty of new online casinos that use this technology to their full advantage.
Full Spectrum Warrior
Another funded project from the US Army, this game was developed for the Xbox. They actually made two different versions of this game and released a light version to the public. Adding in a code can allow you to access the full version of this game though, so if you want to see the differences just put in HA2P1PY9TUR5TLE.
This is more of a tactical version of an army simulator, as you control the group instead of playing a shooter directly. They control different units and they even built on this game with another version that was even higher level. The aim of this game is to show what the role of a commander is and how to prove to be an effective one.
Tactical Iraqi
This game was more about teaching participants how to communicate with Iraqis while stationed overseas. It was used in 2007 before marines were deployed to the area and it helped immensely. Basically, this game condensed months of training into an 80 hour simulation. It’s a really cool idea and it covered language as well as gestures.
They also made sure to cover cultural norms and things that could be mistaken for another gesture by an outsider. This was surely responsible for much better communication between those stationed in the country and nationals.
Virtual Battlespace 2
This game was similar to Full Spectrum Warrior in that it’s more about observing and interacting with a battlefield, rather than just working on your aim. Soldiers can use this game to theoretically manoeuvre in the battlefield and work as a team with multiple participants. It was used up to 2012 by the US Army and they found it to be more effective than a straight combat simulator. Part of its success was the speed by which soldiers could learn from their mistakes and rectify them on another play through.
Our perception of video games is always changing and now they are being taken seriously as a way to deliver information to our armed forces. These games are so incredibly varied, teaching everything from how to shoot to how to communicate with others. We’re sure there are many more under wraps behind the scenes too.
