America's Army Game Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

By Office of Economic Manpower & AnalysisJune 29, 2007

America's Army Game Celebrates Fifth Anniversary
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WEST POINT, N.Y. (Army News Service, June 29, 2007) - July 4 marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of America's Army, the Army's computer game and one of the top-ten online games.

It also marks the launch of a new Web site, <a href="http://www.americasarmy.com"target=_blank> www.americasarmy.com</a>.

America's Army players go through boot camp, ranger and airborne training and even experience the elite special forces. They learn about rules of engagement, life-saving skills and the Army Values - loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.

"The America's Army game places Soldiering front and center within popular culture and showcases the high-tech, team-oriented and values-driven nature of the Army," said Col. Casey Wardynski, originator of the America's Army game.

Since its debut in 2002, the America's Army program has registered more than 8.5 million users in over 60 countries, and expanded to include console and cell-phone games, the Real Heroes program and the Virtual Army Experience. The game has been downloaded more than 40 million times, and players have spent more than 200 million hours, or 3.5 billion rounds of play, experiencing life as Soldiers.

"The America's Army game reflects the true Army, from its values to its cutting edge technology to its training," said Sgt. Tommy Rieman, whose likeness is portrayed by a character in America's Real Heroes. "It's exciting to think about all of the ways this program can tell our story."

The new Web site features the Army Combat Uniform digital-camouflage pattern and new content that provides a sneak peek at America's Army 3.0, scheduled to launch in 2008.

In conjunction with video-game publisher Ubisoft, the Army also developed such games as "America's Army: Special Operations" for cell phones and "America's Army: Rise of a Soldier" for Xbox. The next game, "America's Army: True Soldiers," will release for Xbox 360(tm) this fall.

The Real Heroes program tells the stories of Soldiers who received awards for courage in the war on terror through the America's Army game and a line of action figures. The program is featured at <a href="http://www.americasarmy.com/realheroes"target=_blank> www.americasarmy.com/realheroes</a>.

Participants in the Virtual Army Experience must employ teamwork, leadership and high-tech equipment as they take part in a hands-on virtual mission to capture a terrorist leader in a 10,000 square-foot interactive exhibit. The VAE schedule is located at <a href="http://vae.americasarmy.com"target=_blank> vae.americasarmy.com</a>.