Is flashpoint a recruiting tool ?

[advocatexxx 0]

While the title may seem a little harsh, the theory may not.

Over the years, the US Armed Forces have searched for ways on how to better target and recruit people.  The current rate of new recruits each year isn't what it should be, and so the US Armed Forces have no doubt looked into other ways of promoting themselves.

The latest TV ads from Navy carry a catchy "Accelerate Your Life" motto.  Air Force ads show F-117 pilots refueling in mid-air, while the narrator speaks out "Nothing you do here is ordinary".  It is clear that they are exaggerating the life of a new recruit and often portray scenes and actions which take many years to reach, often requiring schooling at military academies and such.

Since video games have been getting closer and closer to realism, abandoning the old Quake-style shooters where a Rambo-type-of-player absorbed multiple magazines without so much as a scratch, the new games seem to be drifting towards "one-shot-and-you're-dead" style, along with few Game Saves.  This in itself has not only created a new genre in the industry, but it actually lets the players experience fear and excitement, something others have failed to achieve over and over again.

Latest titles worth mentioning such as Ghost Recon and Operation Flashpoint have no doubt succeeded in bringing the life of an Infantry man to new heights.  It is no wonder that many people find themselves spending countless hours in front of their CRT tubes, practicing team tactics and other useful things.  This mainly-teenage audience gets soon turned into what is called a "military buff" and in addition to their gaming time, they now spend hours reading about all the different military units, vehicles and weapons.

Now, judging from the past contraversies that have been unraveled regarding the US Government, it would be of no surprise to me if such games were indeed partially funded by real-life military branches in order to boost their recruit rate.  The idea may seem a little unusual at first, but you've got to admit, the psychology certainly has the right foundation.

You experience combat in the battlefield, now in ways more realistic than ever before, and many are so drawn to firing real weapons, and being part of a real Infantry squad, that their desire to join the service is anything but weakened.

Of course, what better way to tell the world of the great realism these games contain than by having the U.S. Marine Corps implement it in its training program ?

So what is your opinion ?  Do you think military branches could be secretly funding such games in part, especially in the marketing department, in hopes to affect more and more teenagers ?

Because I know what I'll do next month.  Walk into the local recruiting office and say, "I'd like to join the Army !"

-Advocate

[sinkywinky 1]

Could be I suppose. But Operation Flashpoint makes me want to keep as far away from any war as possible..

[WKK Gimbal 0]

hehe, all the army has to do, is raise the pay!  

BTW, good luck with the recruitment - what branch are you seeking?

[suma 8]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (advocatexxx @ April 03 2002,16:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Now, judging from the past contraversies that have been unraveled regarding the US Government, it would be of no surprise to me if such games were indeed partially funded by real-life military branches in order to boost their recruit rate.  <span id='postcolor'>

Nice theory ... but I am afraid reality is often not that romantic. I can assure you OFP was not even partially funded by US Government.

While OPF was developed, US Government probably did not even know about it. Do you really think US Gov. would contract almost unknown European company to develop a military based game?

[advocatexxx 0]

But of course you deny such a thing. If what I've said turned out to be true, I would hardly expect those related to the game's development to come out of the closet and admit all of these things.

Military might not have been aware of it, but once the game started populating video game store shelves, perhaps they felt that if they "dip in" a little, the promotional factor could be increased thus widening the influence.

[kegetys 2]

Hey! Last week I received an email from that chimp guy (Bush or something?) asking me to join the US Air Force! He just didnt realise that im Finnish

[Dawdler 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Is flashpoint a recruiting tool ?<span id='postcolor'>

If it is, its working on me. But not in the US Army sense...

I really start to like that dirty old AK74 and my resistance mates... Placing satchels under unknowing convoys... Running up to tanks with a satchel in hand and blow myself, for the sake of the cause.

I'd say it works the other way around for me

Where's the nearest terrorist recruitment office? I want to beat up west scum and their super powerfull Abrams

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Because I know what I'll do next month. Walk into the local recruiting office and say, "I'd like to join the Army !"<span id='postcolor'>

Nice little conspiration theory. Not very likely though. If the military had been involved in the development of OFP then it would state it very loud and clear ("USMC Presents...") because it would have everything to gain by it.

As for the joining the army because of OFP .. I hope that you realise that crawling through wet grass and mud IRL is a much more uncofortable expirience then when you sit behind your monitor.

[Epyon9283 0]

Reminds me of the Simpsons episode with the "Party Posse"

[Satchel 0]

My thoughts also,

if the Army would have been involved (even just as name- giver for marketing purposes) in the development of Flashpoint, U.S. Army would be plastered all over it, like Novalogic used to do, claiming "realism" and other bla....

The Army doesn´t need to shy away from public like running secretly Psyops on kids that play computer games all day long to get fresh meat, it uses all opportunities to go into the public, making advertisement.

A good and in my oppinion hillarious example is "The Sarge"...no it hasn´t got bionic legs, but still goes from 0-100mph in 8/10 seconds:

"The Army's top fuel dragster, "The Sarge," is the fastest (of course, who would have thought otherwise...) dragster in the world and can go from 0 to 100 mph in an amazing eight-tenths of a second. With a small "army" working together to keep the top fuel dragster on the track and in the winner's circle, you could call the crew "An Army of One."

 

 

March 14-17

33rd Annual Mac Tools Gatornationals

Gainesville, FL

Check out when and where The Sarge will be racing next by contacting your local recruiter."

Get the drift how it functions? I made the important parts in bold lettering.

[ralphwiggum 6]

Another conspiracy theory....i doubt US army is smart enough to spend time on game IRC channels, trying to find out next 'recruitment tool'. BIS was developing OFP for 4 yrs, and I think it was not known to ppl until some guys at current OFPN found out about it. now that small number of ppl talking about a game that does not exist and purposely finding it is time-consuming.

and speaking of trying to convinve players to join army, i'd say that it is better done if US military does not say it is sponsoring it. that would leave military branch under heavy fire from groups that support gun control, especially moms. So we can never be sure.

but if you ask me, that theory is just another daydream. OFP is dev-ed and releasd in EU first, and many countries and their players are not AMERICANS. I woudn't be surprised if some lame-ass terrorist group is now practicing with OFP.

In other words, yes, OFP and games like these can be helpful, but cost of mind-control getting exposed is so great that they would not do it. I usually play US force in OFP, but does that mean i'm joining US military? no way. I'm way smart for them to take me as a grunt(or so as i think).

just thinking about it, kids have their own thought. they might be interested in military stuff, but that does not necessarily mean that they are future grunts. teenagers today respect foundations of their respective country and be proud to be with her, yet is careful not to compromise their freedom.

ok...i can talk more, but my superior says i'm talking too much on this topic, and could reveal my secret assignment to prevent any truth of us supporting OFP get out.

p.s. maybe you are watching too much of your own avatar and loosing grip on reality?(j/k)

[Nocturnal 0]

Well after playing this game for about a month my sister went and signed up for boot camp about 2 weeks ago. Maybe it was boredom rather then OFP but who knows?

[Warin 0]

Ralph, you dirty dog...

Do you work for the CIA?

Personally, I suspect the US Army would use Novalogic games to try to pump interest in the American Armed forces.  Their games have a much lower lerarning curve and are higher on the fun factor for the casual gamer.  I figure there are two main types of people that enjoy Flashpoint.  The ones that are either past/current/future servicemen or the ones that love the genre but dont have the requisite mentality to be a grunt (like me)

Still, after playing Flashpoint for a month and a half, I -do- have the urge to go sign up for the reserves... but I doubt they are looking for chubby thirty three year olds.

[morbid 0]

If anything, flashpoint would probably discourage people from joining the army, after all it shows how easily and senselessly you can be kill - a stray bullet that wasn't meant for you....a shell wiping out your whole squad before you even fire a shot....

That said, I have seriously considered a military career (no, not because of flashpoint or any other game/movie etc...), unfortunately though it seems my temporary foot injury may well in fact be permanent .

[ralphwiggum 6]

No.....I'm not an agent from a

Secretive agency. I love my freedom, and don't want to spend

A nick of my time on doing serveilance on a stupid game site.

[Guest Titanium]

ymra eht nioj. LOL

[Tex -USMC- 0]

Wouldnt the army invest in a recruiting tool that didnt involve prospective recruits sitting on their asses typing things like n00b and l33t.

[Tovarish 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (morbid @ April 04 2002,02:45)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">If anything, flashpoint  would probably discourage people from joining the army, after all it shows how easily and senselessly you can be kill - a stray bullet that wasn't meant for you....a shell wiping out your whole squad before you even fire a shot....<span id='postcolor'>

Right, personally I think Flashpoint shows how unpleasant war can be. At first when I started playing this game I was very frustrated by the lack of saves, then I realized that was part of it's beauty. It puts the fear of death in you. In real life once you get hit by a burst of gunfire or are blown appart by a grenade you don't get a second chance. I think I died on most if not every combat mission the first time I went through the original campaign...what does that say about the chances of survival for your average green recruit on the battlefield? .

Then again, it does glorify war somewhat, but hey I can't blame BIS for that, after all it's a game, and it's meant to be enjoyable. At least it portays war much better than your average Hollywood movie. But if you really want to know how it is, if you're interested in getting into it, read some books about it (My fave book on the subject is Catch-22 by Joseph Heller...it's satirical and not all that realistic but it does highlight the absurdities of war) or better yet talk to some vets if you know them.

My grandfather from my mother's side was in the Soviet army in WWII. He never talked to me much about it, but he did tell me how his back was wounded...one of his friends walking behind him while on patrol stepped on a landmine. That's all it takes, a step taken in the wrong spot and one life is gone and another left in pain for life.

[USSoldier11B 0]

If some poor fool joins the military based on his perceptions of a video game, then he is in for a real surprise. I am an infantryman, and there is a whole lot of bullshit that comes with the job. I am also an intel analyst, which is much easier physically but still stressful mentally. Also most people in the military are REMFs (Rear Echelon Mother Fuckers), who never fire a weapon except to qualify once a year. Such exciting positions as "logistical supply specialist" or "heavy equipment driver" are among your options. The only people who get the cool jobs are the smart people, and the amazingly physically fit people. (i.e. SF, Delta, Psyops, MI)

Besides, from what I see around here, 70% of the people in this forum are too liberal to ever shoot at anyone, not exactly your military type.

[MDRZulu 0]

I'd shoot someone, especially if they pissed me off and it wasn't illegal to do so. However, I'm only 16 that could change.

[ale2999 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (RalphWiggum @ April 04 2002,02:02)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Another conspiracy theory....i doubt US army is smart enough to spend time on game IRC channels, trying to find out next 'recruitment tool'. BIS was developing OFP for 4 yrs, and I think it was not known to ppl until some guys at current OFPN found out about it. now that small number of ppl talking about a game that does not exist and purposely finding it is time-consuming.

and speaking of trying to convinve players to join army, i'd say that it is better done if US military does not say it is sponsoring it. that would leave military branch under heavy fire from groups that support gun control, especially moms. So we can never be sure.

but if you ask me, that theory is just another daydream. OFP is dev-ed and releasd in EU first, and many countries and their players are not AMERICANS. I woudn't be surprised if some lame-ass terrorist group is now practicing with OFP.

In other words, yes, OFP and games like these can be helpful, but cost of mind-control getting exposed is so great that they would not do it. I usually play US force in OFP, but does that mean i'm joining US military? no way. I'm way smart for them to take me as a grunt(or so as i think).

just thinking about it, kids have their own thought. they might be interested in military stuff, but that does not necessarily mean that they are future grunts. teenagers today respect foundations of their respective country and be proud to be with her, yet is careful not to compromise their freedom.

ok...i can talk more, but my superior says i'm talking too much on this topic, and could reveal my secret assignment to prevent any truth of us supporting OFP get out.

p.s. maybe you are watching too much of your own avatar and loosing grip on reality?(j/k) <span id='postcolor'>

ROFL Uncle sam wants u join now

HA HA

I think that maybe is a big conspiration that not even Ondrey know about but only MArek does

But for sure I prefere being behind my CRT because If I join the army and I would have to actually fight, I'd die in the first 5 min like I did In flashpoint. I love the game and not the real life military because at least at home I get a retry .

And as Barbara Bush daid: "War is not nice"

[Guest Titanium]

I'm really hoping that someone got "ymra eht nioj"!!!

[Satchel 0]

There recently was a report on german television about DOD involvement in making of U.S. based films portraying the U.S. armed forces.

They have a simple guideline; a producer gets supervisor support for his movie if the U.S. armed forces are portrayed in a, as they called it, appropiate way. In clear consense this means if it is to the liking of DOD supervisors.

Films that were made with DOD support are Top Gun, Navy Seals, Blackhawk Down, Saving Private Ryan and others.

A movie mentioned without DOD support was Apocalypse Now. An Officer with a mission to kill an own soldier isn´t realistic and perverts what the Armed Forces are doing, in other words it would be bad press and certainly no good advertisement for the military branch, that´s understandable.

However, personally i think that Apocalypse Now is one of the best War/Antiwar movies ever made. Of course it´s unrealistic, so is Top Gun, Navy Seals and others, that pervert reality by the same amount or even more, but unlike Apocalypse Now the viewer tends to admire those guys in the later mentioned movies and what they are doing; styled and stage dived american heros doing their amazing dream jobs in the U.S. military- who wouldn´t want to be one of them, everyone wanted to be Maverrick and fly Fighter planes and get the girls after doing the job or Charly Sheen beeing the undisciplined Navy Seal that can do whatever he wants and when within his let loose lynch mob of supersoldiers.....unless you have been in the armed forces and now how reality is really like.

[Wobble 1]

the US has been making war related films ever since filems existed.. its nothing new.. and of course if its a US film made in the US for US viewers its going to be pro US.. **** what an amazing breaktrhough that must be.. wow propaganda..

oh and FYI the "US" deosent make films.. studios do.. and they are made for one reason: to turn a profit.. period..  its entertainment..

posts like this are dumber than the dogshit that posts them

NEWS FLASH, THIS JUST IN!!: the US has nuclear weapons!! wholly shit it must mean the world is about to end!!

[Satchel 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Wobble @ April 04 2002,10:12)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">the US has been making war related films ever since filems existed.. its nothing new.. and of course if its a US film made in the US for US viewers its going to be pro US.. jesus fucking christ what an amazing breaktrhough that must be.. wow propaganda..

oh and FYI the "US" deosent make films.. studios do.. and they are made for one reason: to turn a profit.. period..  its entertainment..

posts like this are dumber than the dogshit that posts them

NEWS FLASH, THIS JUST IN!!: the US has nuclear weapons!! wholly shit it must mean the world is about to end!!<span id='postcolor'>

Seems i have hit your nerve right on, turn and twist it like you want, self critism is something unknown and not tolerated in the U.S. unlike to what it is where i´m living.

I just listed an example of how indirect media advertisement for U.S. armed forces works, by DOD "influencing" scenes of the original story book, to make it fit their view on how a movie should be, if the actual movie author intends to feature U.S. armed forces with help of the respective "technical Advisors" connected to DOD.

For example, a story book has no "happy end" for the ever glorious U.S. troops, all U.S. Forces are wiped away by the end of an film. Although everything else in the film might be acceptable to DOD, the finish isn´t because it conflicts- the end scene has to be reworked by the author, even if this destroys the movie in it´s logic, it´s either that or DOD will cease military advising for this specific military film. In other words this is about advertisement on a indirect basis, advertisement for the U.S. Armed Forces and the big buck for movie productions if they willingly cooperate with DOD, no matter if the original idea of their storybook gets destroyed by doing this.

Next where did i wrote that the US Government or similar is making those films in own productions, all they do is trying to remodell the content after their liking? Better read the text before you post an answer.

P.S: if you are not able to discuss on a mature basis and if you are affected by a post like this little man, i suggest you keep yourself and your smearing out of these threads and do yourself and others a favor, especially if you do not understand the content of a post.