Trivia: America's Army Cost Taxpayers $32.8 Million

[sooNAHmee]

Article on Tom's:
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/america-s-army-military-video-game,9241.html
Just to be clear, I'm not saying it's a good thing or a bad thing. I haven't even played it, although I will. Just thought you guys might find the article and it's subsequent comments interesting. :)

[alchemistlord]

Interesting fact. Very random though. Also, America's Army 3 is very glitchy and buggy. I would advise you to wait for another update that fixes the bugs before you play it.

[worse1]

Wow, you wonder what they did with it seeing that this game is so horrible and bugged. I enjoyed aa 1 and 2 sometime in the past but 10 years + 32 mil later and 2010 showing up you sadly get this piece of junk...

[Bjoern]

Yet the game plays and looks like it was made in 1999. :D

[sooNAHmee]

Yet the game plays and looks like it was made in 1999. :DThat bad eh? Well I think I will skip just on principle.
Here's my opinion, which is based completely on heresay and prejudged assumptions:
It's basically the video game version of the annoying Army recruiters that used to stand in my high school halls during lunch. A "free" game? Yeah right. Even putting aside the tax money that went into it, its nothing more than a recruitment tool. A commercial. If I'm wrong I'd like to know.

[Waddlz]

You are correct. It wasnt that bad, and when I was in the hospital it was the only game I could play online that wouldnt kick me for some reason.

The game is just one giant recruiting poster for the US Army. I really enjoyed it for the few hours I played and then never touched. Better FPS out there.

[Mkilbride]

One of the finest shooters out there.

Very fun, tactical, and unique. Not alot of games out there like it, and it's graphics are top notch.

32 million it cost the Taxpayers? Sorry, but I didn't. It's already been shown, that it cost 0.2 centers per year per person who pays taxes. You payed 20% of a SINGLE penny / cent. PER YEAR. So after all this time, you've porbably payed not even TWO pennies.

[sooNAHmee]

32 million it cost the Taxpayers? Sorry, but I didn't. It's already been shown, that it cost 0.2 centers per year per person who pays taxes. You payed 20% of a SINGLE penny / cent. PER YEAR. So after all this time, you've porbably payed not even TWO pennies.
Um, did you read the article?
Here's another version of it. (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6242635.html)
Freedom of information Act = Factual monetary figures.

There are about 100,000,000 people that pay income tax each year in the U.S.. Divide that all up, and the result is that each taxpayer payed about 33 cents toward AA. Still not much on an individual level, but $32.8 million is not chump change.

Your figures must have been provided by the U.S. government... and you trusted them? XD

EDIT:
Lol, it was originally touted as a 5 year project with a budget of $7 million. Oops. Article from 2002 (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2869018.html)

[furiousg]

Um, did you read the article?
Here's another version of it. (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6242635.html)
Freedom of information Act = Factual monetary figures.

There are about 100,000,000 people that pay income tax each year in the U.S.. Divide that all up, and the result is that each taxpayer payed about 33 cents toward AA. Still not much on an individual level, but $32.8 million is not chump change.

Your figures must have been provided by the U.S. government... and you trusted them? XD

EDIT:
Lol, it was originally touted as a 5 year project with a budget of $7 million. Oops. Article from 2002 (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2869018.html)

$32.8 million IS chump change when your talking about the US military budget

[sooNAHmee]

$32.8 million IS chump change when your talking about the US military budgetWell it's about the cost of 8 brand new M1 Abrams tanks. For a recruitment tool. A GAME.

[Mkilbride]

Well it's about the cost of 8 brand new M1 Abrams tanks. For a recruitment tool. A GAME.


And you're an idiot. I'm not super patriotic or anything, but you're just being crazy about this.

Ok then, 33 cents it is. 33 cents which I found on the Sidewalk ... aww :P

Regardless, millions have enjoyed AA3, so I think it evens itself out. Also, how much do you think An Abrams is?

Also they said recruitment rose 40% after the game was released; whether this was just the 9/11 incident, or AA did it.

Regardless; someones life has been saved because of AA.

http://kotaku.com/346176/americas-army-player-saves-real-life


I have received no prior medical training and can honestly say that because of the training and presentations within America's Army, I was able to help and possibly save the injured men. As I look back on the events of that day, the training that I received in the America's Army video game keeps coming to mind."

I remember vividly in section four of the game's medic training, during the field medic scenarios, I had to evaluate the situation and place priority on the more critically wounded. In the case of this accident, I evaluated the situation and placed priority on the driver of the car who had missing fingers. I then recalled that in section two of the medic training, I learned about controlled bleeding. I noticed that the wounded man had severe bleeding that he could not control. I used a towel as a dressing and asked the man to hold the towel on his wound and to raise his hand above his head to lessen the blood flow which allowed me to evaluate his other injuries which included a cut on his head.

[furiousg]

Its a effective tool for them. Compared to other Army recruiting programs its pretty cheap too. Once again, 32 million sounds like a lot, but put in perspective of the Army's budget, it really isn't.

And I used to play with Paxton lol, he's a really cool guy

[sooNAHmee]

And you're an idiot.
That's as far as I should need to read into your post. Anything that follows a flame like that is likely to not be worth reading.
I feel compelled to remind you that I'm being objective about this entire thread. In reality, I really don't care how much they spend. I have now played the game, and am just surprised at the cost given how bad the gameplay is.
The fact that you need to start name calling shows your maturity level.
Just to be clear, I'm not saying it's a good thing or a bad thing.Try reading the OP once.

EDIT:
Also, I find it appalling that a soldier received more life-saving training from a lousy video game than from the formal military training he received. Talk about a mismanaged military.

[greenlemonade]

This figure is over 10 years.
It not only includes game development, but also distribution and advertising.
If you compare this number to the cost of running commercials on TV, its not that shocking.

The 33 cents per tax payer should be 3 cents per tax payer per year.

[MustangDelta]

A couple of points.

According to DOD's 1999 Financial Year End numbers the money spent on the game would have only bought 4 Abrams tanks. Something tells me that number would be quite smaller now.

Its not just the individual tax payer that supports the country's budgetery needs. There are taxes on businesses and goods.

If this came anywhere close to costing the everyday tax payer anything noticable there would be an uproar, from the crazy teabaggers for a start.

Even in the buggy state the game is in, America's Army is better than so many of the games players spend good money on. The best part of the whole series has been its emphasis on team work resulting a ggod group of people to play online with!

[freeloader105]

Well, since AA3 sucks, I guess they should pour a few million more. Pentagon wastes taxpayer money - what a surprise!

[Mkilbride]

That's as far as I should need to read into your post. Anything that follows a flame like that is likely to not be worth reading.
I feel compelled to remind you that I'm being objective about this entire thread. In reality, I really don't care how much they spend. I have now played the game, and am just surprised at the cost given how bad the gameplay is.
The fact that you need to start name calling shows your maturity level.
Try reading the OP once.

EDIT:
Also, I find it appalling that a soldier received more life-saving training from a lousy video game than from the formal military training he received. Talk about a mismanaged military.

Little late to respond, but I'll start it with this again, and you can ignore it again.

You're an idiot, he wasn't a solider. He was just a normal person who had played the game.

[maturin]

Just about EVERYTHING the government spends money on breaks down to a fraction of a cent for individual taxpayers. If you you removed the "chump change" we wouldn't have a budget.

[spyrochaete]

Ok then, 33 cents it is. 33 cents which I found on the Sidewalk ... aww :P

Regardless, millions have enjoyed AA3, so I think it evens itself out.

Do you have any idea how many checks and approvals it takes to charge 33 cents to every American citizen? Of all the single mothers needing daycares, and all the sick people needing healthcare, and all the homeless people needing shelter, do you think most Americans are happy that they are forced to pay taxes so that a small fraction of them can enjoy themselves for a few hours? Do you typically give quarters to strangers so that they can play arcade games?

Just think of all the things your government has to fund with taxpayer dollars. They don't take this decision lightly. Taxpayers are not made of money.

I'm not trying to cast any kind of evaluation on this game. I just think it's incredible how influential the army is in your country! Just imagine if that same money was donated to food banks instead of spent on a video game; how many families could eat, how many people wouldn't be so desperate, how much crime this could have stopped in your home town... but millions have enjoyed AA3 and that's what's important, right?

[Crusader508]

And you're an idiot.....
-------

Regardless; someones life has been saved because of AA.

http://kotaku.com/346176/americas-army-player-saves-real-life


I have received no prior medical training and can honestly say that because of the training and presentations within America's Army, I was able to help and possibly save the injured men. As I look back on the events of that day, the training that I received in the America's Army video game keeps coming to mind."

I remember vividly in section four of the game's medic training, during the field medic scenarios, I had to evaluate the situation and place priority on the more critically wounded. In the case of this accident, I evaluated the situation and placed priority on the driver of the car who had missing fingers. I then recalled that in section two of the medic training, I learned about controlled bleeding. I noticed that the wounded man had severe bleeding that he could not control. I used a towel as a dressing and asked the man to hold the towel on his wound and to raise his hand above his head to lessen the blood flow which allowed me to evaluate his other injuries which included a cut on his head.


One: Starting the post calling someone an idiot is completely unnecessary. It's called trolling. No one enjoys it other than you, so stop.

Two: Someone's life was saved by a videogame... It can't just be me who finds that absolutely ludicrous. Mainly because most of that statement from the article (if it was true) sounds entirely like common sense. You look at someone who is hurt most, you picked up something to put on his wound, and told him to lift up his arm so he doesn't bleed as much as it slows the flow. Dude, I got that from watching Saving Private Ryan. Or hell, to even help, he could of put pressure on it! (Band of Brothers)

I mean come on, that's like saying I was able to defend myself with a knife-like object in a fight because playing Call of Duty taught me how to slash a knife in front of my body, or to stab downwards... It's ridiculous.

I played the game when it first came out and it was bugged to jack. So I stopped playing about an hour after release. I'm glad to know that 32 million was spent on a terrible game, which undoubtedly could've been put to better use.

[cincope]

Article on Tom's:
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/america-s-army-military-video-game,9241.html
Just to be clear, I'm not saying it's a good thing or a bad thing. I haven't even played it, although I will. Just thought you guys might find the article and it's subsequent comments interesting. :)

more tax dollars are wasted by politicians buying expensive flowers and other amenities for personal use. also, nasa's being a useless money drain right now.

[Pyrogunz]

Proof that the government can't do ♥♥♥♥ with their money. Never be tricked into paying them.

[Ed Herdman]

EDIT:
Lol, it was originally touted as a 5 year project with a budget of $7 million. Oops. Article from 2002 (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2869018.html)
That was the original release! Since that original release seems to have done pretty well (I played it only a little back in the day) they've come out with multiple other releases with the "America's Army" name.

There's the original title (patched up to 2.8.1 or something and called "Special Forces" due to some extra stuff added in), at least one for-profit console game, America's Army 3, and an arcade game I saw once on the road. There may be more yet.

[lastninja]

For Australians, it's a free game :) thanks America, your lion images for enemies are dodgy, lion of zion huh?? :) But yes AA2 in 2005 was a great game, it looked like 2001 or 2002 game but it played so well so few bugs.. I wish instead we had AA 2.9 or 2.99 instead of AA3. Give up on 3 until 2 is fixed.

But it's over now. I knew 3 would be death of AA. I figured AA3 wouldn't even ever come out lol (AA3 forever edition lol)

[DEATHx2]

im canadian so its all good

[krzyglue]

Just about EVERYTHING the government spends money on breaks down to a fraction of a cent for individual taxpayers. If you you removed the "chump change" we wouldn't have a budget.

I logged in just to say:
+1 one to you good sir.

[SirSerious]

How many versions are there

[SirSerious]

Do anyone still play this game

[dementedlullaby]

im canadian so its all good

lol word.

Using a video game to recruit high school drop outs is wrong. The army should be ashamed of itself for using these techniques. Not to mention spending tax payer money on a video game is hilarious in itself. As bad as our government giving money to some dude for painting different coloured squares and saying it's art.

This is a pretty old thread eh? Good stuff.

[PurpleHaz3]

But yes AA2 in 2005 was a great game, it looked like 2001 or 2002 game but it played so well so few bugs..

Well considering the game came out in the middle of 2002 and not 2005, I can see why.

And surprise surprise, America spends outrageous amounts of money on military crap, but can't be bothered to give everyone health care, no wonder America is such a joke.

[anelaidlives]

lol word.

Using a video game to recruit high school drop outs is wrong. The army should be ashamed of itself for using these techniques. Not to mention spending tax payer money on a video game is hilarious in itself. As bad as our government giving money to some dude for painting different coloured squares and saying it's art.

This is a pretty old thread eh? Good stuff.

The different colored squares is art, even if you don't understand it.

As for recruitment? I don't think anybody played it thinking that it was going to be anything else but that and the people who were most interested, in my experience, already had an interest in the military.

[CaptainDingo]

I just look at it from the perspective that, well, this game has cost around 30 million dollars, and it's pretty buggy and overall one of the most poorly-designed games I've ever played (even in the scope of free to play games). Even taking into consideration marketing and such, that's an insane amount of money for such a comparatively sloppy end result.

And the fact that there are small indie teams with almost no budget pulling far superior games out of their sleeves, well...

Just goes to show that throwing money at something doesn't make it good.

I was never even able to complete boot camp when I tried playing a year or so ago because of some kind of ridiculous error that made it so that no matter how fast you went through boot camp (even if you macro'd it to make a mathematically perfect run), you would be like 5 seconds behind and fail.

In my eyes, anyone interested in the military would play this game thinking "Wow, the military must really not have their ♥♥♥♥ together." :p

[xTaz81x]

It's fun, but I'm fed up of the training glitches. I can't get the M4 because the training won't start.

[Chrissd21]

Also, I find it appalling that a soldier received more life-saving training from a lousy video game than from the formal military training he received. Talk about a mismanaged military.

Where'd you pull that from? The kotaku article doesn't list whether or not he's in the military, just that he was going down the freeway and saw a car flip. The "lousy video game" gave him accurate and useful medical knowledge. Which is more than playing CoD ever did for anyone, and they spent more on that game.

[Chrissd21]

rant

I played it for a while this month, then uninstalled because all my friends are in CS source. I got through the training fine, started into a profession, played online for fifty or so matches. There wasn't any bugs that I could see, although I'd still call it incomplete. You could only go 1/3rd of the way into a profession, and secondary profession wasn't available. Apart from that, good game. You could "combat slide" which is amazingly useful to get out of the way of a grenade. Couldn't slide kill like in F.E.A.R., but no game's perfect. :P

If you're judging it based on several years ago, or that it was made by the USA defense forces, then you should really play it again and leave the bias out.