Army Continues to Use Games as Recruiting Tools

On the heels of America's Army as a recruiting tool, there's news that a new round of recruiting tools being developed in the game world, and incorporating some interesting camera-based mechanics.

Creating further proof that the U.S. Army plans to use video games to attract gamers, the organization has announced the launch of its Race for Strength online game.
To play the game, users must print out a "palm card" from the site. After printing it out, they need to start up their Webcams and point it at themselves. As the game starts, they control the Nascar car in the game with the palm card, which they move like a steering wheel in front of their Webcam to control the action on-screen.
The goal of the game, the U.S. Army claims, is to test the gamer's racing ability against real Army vehicles. The gamer needs to control the car as it works its way through Mine Resistant Ambush Protected and Stryker AV vehicles.
The U.S. Army touted Race for Strength as one of the first titles showcasing an "augmented reality," a technology that combines "real-world activities with computer-generated graphic situations."
But like just about anything gaming-related that the U.S. Army releases, its real intentions have little to do with showcasing new technologies. In reality, the armed-service branch wants to recruit new soldiers.
"The computer game is another extension of the U.S. Army's continuing effort to showcase its high-tech skills training and the many options and opportunities it offers," the organization wrote in a statement.

By: Brant