The website is very neatly organized into what could almost be quadrants. Everything is separated into its own little space so there is no confusion as to what goes with what. There are plenty of pictures on the home page with very minimal information. One thing that stands out to me is that They made sure to include a woman in non combat gear, as if to promote the idea that women can join the army and not have to serve on the front line. Another image is the picture of the decorated black guy, to promote the diversity that exists. When you dive deeper into the site there is a page that shows all the distinctions different soldiers have earned. They each have their picture so you can see that they are all down to earth real people. Next to each one of them is an inspiring quote like "i will never quit" or "i will never surrender" which induces a sense of pride in these guys. This site is definitely geared more towards younger generations and the game makes a definite play at young teenagers and guys who are around 18 who would possibly enlist.
I think this game falsely indoctrinates the war. After playing this game you begin to get the sense that war is just a big game. That once you die you just wait a little while and you come back to life. Also you get the sense that on any given round either side can win. This is completely false. War is not just running down a street shooting everyone you see and then coming back to life after your killed. Although the media portrays war to be more like the video game. you never see on the news a bunch of guys sitting around on a base doing nothing...and the video game doesnt show this either.
I dont feel like this game or any other game promotes violence i feel like video games are a way for teens to release their violence and aggression in a manner other than being violent. What is better, a kid who goes to school angry and fights another kid at school, or a kid who is mad and plays a video game which allows him to beat up people, and then goes to school happy? Personally I feel like people want to use video games as a scape goat for kids actions when its the parents who should play a bigger part in their kids actions. If you dont want a kid to be aggressive let the kid play sports. If you dont want your kid to get hurt get him a video game. But dont blame a game for teaching your kid how to be violent, blame whatever it is that is making him so angry that he uses violence as a solution.
Personally I think using a video game to promote the army is a great idea. I personally play counter strike and never really relate that to ever enlisting but I can definitely see how if it was attached to the army website it would make me correlate the 2. At the same time i definitely feel the game gives a false sense of reality.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
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