Wired recently posted a fascinating look at the way the U.S. military uses computer simulations to train soldiers, specifically, why they run simulations on PCs and not on Xbox 360s. Consoles seem like the perfect fit for the military: Young recruits are familiar with them, they're finally powerful enough to handle complicated simulations, and they're inexpensive. But the army, apparently, uses PCs to train recruits.
According to Wired's source, Roger Smith, chief technology officer for PEO STRI, the Army command responsible for purchasing training equipment,the military is not training on 360s because Microsoft won't sell them to it. Here's why:
- Microsoft was afraid that the military would buy up lots of Xbox 360s, but would buy only one game for each of them, so MS wouldn’t make much money off of the games.
- A big military purchase could create a shortage of Xbox 360s.
- If the Xbox became an Army training device, it could taint its reputation. According to Smith, Microsoft was concerned that the Xbox 360 would be seen as having the flavor of a weapon. "Do we want Mom and Dad knowing that their kid is buying the same game console as the military trains the SEALs and Rangers on?”
Microsoft says the Army can (and has) team up with developers to create simulations -- America's Army, for example -- but leaves the question of whether Microsoft would sell the military large supplies of 360s unanswered.
According to Smith, it may be a moot point anyway. The Army is less interested in the 360 than it was in the past. “Our initial enthusiasm when Xbox and XNA were new products has cooled. At this time we have no active or anticipated projects or R&D that are looking at using either of those products for military simulations. I would be happy to reopen these discussions if Microsoft is interested in selling these products to our community."
Source: Wired
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ganjasaurus_rex
The REAL reason Microsoft won't sell the military X-Box 360's is they are afraid of losing the contract to Sony when red rings of death start to happen during important training exercises. I wouldn't want an army of pissed off soldiers coming after me either.
gmhl10
"Microsoft was afraid that the military would buy up lots of Xbox 360s, but would buy only one game for each of them, so MS wouldn t make much money off of the games."
Don't they mean 2 to 3 systems for each game since the console bricks so often? I've had 3 RRODs and 2 other malfunctions that bricked my 360s.
Big_red42
From the military's viewpoint I would much rather use a PC than any other console any day of the week. A PC is easier to carry depending on weather or not it's a laptop, a PC is modifiable, a PC is versatile (no single OS and no standard of processing), and a PC is universal (orphans in Africa can get a laptop but few can get a 360).
drug_x
Makes sense, since this happened in '06 when they had just experienced a shortage of systems. Plus who wants to give more ammunition to politicians out to make games look like murder simulators.
Canid117
Suck it Jack Thompson!
What was that? I thought I just heard your "the army trains on Halo" argument break with a resonating crack!
friendofbud666
@Stephen Johnson
I now allow you to poo in Rion Vanguard's mouth.
DEAThHEART
All that is crap. Where there is no money, Microsoft is not there.
Noxpectus
Sorry for the wrong posting above.......I'm new. I dont get why the military doesnt use Wii Plus. Kind of ironic that the most kid friendly console is able to reproduce the most Life like weapon ExPerience.
iuoowi
I understand where Microsoft is coming from. As much crap as they got for having US army ads for the halo launch I'm not surprised they are wary of public image issues. Besides, the last thing they need is Nintendo with a new tag line "The Wii, the system for civillians!"
Noxpectus
You know what's stupid. Their Heartrates go up while playing violent videogames. Could it be that its not the violence, but just that FPSs are more hectic. An FPS VS a soccer game, try an FPS VS another fast pased game. I suppose we can learn one thing from this endeavor, New Super Mario Bros. Wii turns 8 year olds into cold blooded killers.......
Also, could it POSSIBLY be that the kids that did not help pick up the pens are actually not maniacs, but have parents that lacked to teach them any Manners. Nooo, because that would offend dear old mom and dad. If you can't raise your kids yourself, don't have any. Kids are the new pets, if they dont keep quiet, they are send to the pound (AKA "super"nanny.)
sinewave
Military dudes are all playing 360's over there anyways, they just don't "officially" use them for training.
Purplehasiso
Why would they worry about a system that if runs for to long breaks, while a computer can be on for hours upon hours strait and be just fine and will be for a long time after. Also, its an all in one, once the simulator is made then they can create the missions and such to their liking., then train all on the same system.
If your interested in what a lot of armies use to train soldiers look into Arma 2. Really fun game.
elijahblake
The US government and US Air Force does buy ps3's...
http://gizmodo.com/363985/ai r-force-buys-300-playstation-3 -for-research
http://arstechnica.com/secur ity/news/2009/11/sony-still-su bsidizing-us-supercomputer-eff orts.ars
Straticus
The military would give Microsoft a bad image?!? Hhahahaha! Well Microsoft, I now no longer have any respect what so ever for you as a company if you think on that kind of level. To thumb you're nose at patriots of this country for fear it may tarnish your credibility. Absurd.
gravy666
"A big military purchase could create a shortage of Xbox 360s."
Who does Microsoft think they are? Nintendo? Sorry, but the 360 isn't THAT popular.
nvserg
the wont buy PS3s, its not a US product. im sure the person in charge would wanna help his own country by buying US product.
rayken15
I think those reasons make a lot of sense. I mean, the game America's Army itself has received flak as a recruiting tool.
Topshonuff
Kinda funny.. Microsoft owns PC and Xbox.. Military is better with PC, cause it's more versatile.. And If Military did use Xbox, it would get hacked.. I'm sure it's already hacked, but it would be in bigger numbers.. My dad was in the military in the late 80's and early 90's.. All they did was play pirated games, and hacked software.. Don't get me wrong, that's happening now already.. But give soldiers time and toys laying around and they'll figure things out w/out spending cash out of their pockets.. Microsoft knows what they can loose and what they can gain.. 99% of games are built from a PC anyways.. Why have more than 1 product (or parts) lying everywhere??
Sawblood45
lol oh yes let's sport a ton of commercials pushing war games like modern warfare 2 to kids, but not show support to the guys who actually live it. Why?... cause they won't make any money? Yessh! sounds like M$. Wow what pride, saying the US Army is a bad influence that will "taint their reputation"?... YOUR CONTROLLER HAS GUN TRIGGERS FOR L AND R BUTTONS! 95% OF YOUR HITS ARE SHOOTERS!
deathtomonalisa
The types of parents that Johnson mentions in this article need to learn that gaming consoles are computers and not just some toy. Yes they are made with gaming as the main focus but in the end it is just a small computer.
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