War Games

A new report has just emerged upon the psychological effects of violent video games :

"These findings raise concern that these types of video games are having some sort of effect on the brain and likely an effect on behavior as well," lead researcher , Dr. Vincent Mathews, professor of radiology at Indiana University School of Medicine .

It may have not gone unnoticed by the US Army . Not only simply investing in video games for simulation purposes to train personnel which the US armed forces have a past history of doing , the military machine are now using video games to acquire new recruits .

The US Army now finances and distributes for free from recruiting offices , a shoot-em-up video game called America’s Army : Operations , classified with a "T" rating by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. (A "T" is on par with a "PG" rating for a movie. Games carrying that rating are meant for players ages 13 and older and may contain violent content, mild or strong language, and/or suggestive themes.) . It and its companion game "America's Army: Soldiers," that shows the near limitless career paths a soldier can take cost $7 million to design . Cheap at the price . Given the high cost of persuading teenagers to join the Armed Forces, Lt. Col. Casey Wardynski, director of the Army's internal consulting team figures the expense will have been worth it if an additional 300-400 enlist as a result of the game.

It has been followed it up with a new video game called Future Force Company Commander .
Defense contractor Science Applications International commissioned the game for $1.5 million.

"It's a great game and a really good training tool that creates conditions for learning, teaches strategic thinking and tactical thinking, and it's got really cool weapons," says Susan Nash, an e-learning expert and associate dean at Excelsior College in Albany, New York

Yup , war is just only a video game to some people to condition young minds into the real slaughter of real people in the real world.