Military Video Games, computer games - Air Force Times

Inside ‘Overmatch,’ the latest edition of ‘America’s Army’

Calling all “America’s Army” fans: The wait is finally over.

Sixteen months after the last major series update, “America’s Army: Special Forces Overmatch” hit computer screens worldwide Sept. 14.

“For four years, we’ve been consistently among the top five online action games,” said Army Col. Casey Wardynski, the game’s creator and director. “We have to be very, very competitive.”

So far, that hasn’t been a problem for the franchise, launched July 4, 2002, after two years of top-secret development. Since then, more than 7.5 million players have registered to play the free online game, with more than 120,000 continuing to file in each month. More than 2 million “America’s Army” games are played each day.

“We’re excited to see this one, in particular, go out to the public,” said Phillip Bossant, executive producer for the “America’s Army” public applications division. “This is good stuff here. … There’s so much to do in here that’s new, I can’t wait to see this happen.”

In the new version, players resume the role of Special Forces soldiers in a variety of single-player and multiplayer missions. The name “Overmatch” refers to a new category of game play for “America’s Army” fans — a cooperative multiplayer mode that pits small SF teams against overwhelming enemy forces.

Unlike the traditional head-to-head modes online gamers are used to, the cooperative mode forces them to take on enemy units — controlled by artificial intelligence — that outnumber them by as much as 5 to 1. These forces are “overmatched,” however, thanks to the unique weaponry and speed of the U.S. troops.

“Now, you’ve got everyone on the same side,” said Army Maj. Bret Wilson, chief technology officer for the Army Game Project. “It represents asymmetrical conflict — you’re fighting a numerically superior enemy.”

The addition of vehicle combat — a first for the franchise — helps players in the fight, as does the array of new weapons available.

The user interface was redesigned for “Overmatch,” and the old compass was replaced by a “situational awareness indicator” that helps players keep track of squad leaders, fellow players and objective locations.

The scenarios and textures have been updated down to the smallest detail, including the new Army Combat Uniform pattern and hydration bladders instead of canteens.

Always intended to serve as a recruiting tool, the game adds a new layer with the “virtual recruiting station,” where players can learn more about the Army and its job specialties.

Fans will also meet actual soldiers via the “Real Heroes” program. Throughout the game, troops who have received combat valor awards will serve as in-game mentors, trainers and guides, and possibly send a message to the next generation of soldiers playing at home, game officials said. It’s a throwback to the days when war heroes like Audie Murphy were household names.

“They can name their favorite football player, baseball player, but they can’t name the guys on the front lines defending them,” Wardynski said. “The idea is to put that real face on the soldier.”

These soldiers will also be represented by a line of action figures. The prototypes are complete, Wardynski said, and distribution is scheduled to begin later this fall.

Work has begun on the next version of “America’s Army,” scheduled to be built on the cutting-edge Unreal 3 gaming engine and distributed by Christmas 2008. Plans for a second “America’s Army” release this year, “America’s Army: Stryker Overmatch,” have been shelved in favor of using the new gaming engine to bring the high-tech armored vehicles to life online.

As with the SF units, the Stryker outfits include soldiers from a wide cross section of Army occupations, Wardynski said — ideal for the franchise’s recruiting effort. Plus, the vehicle is perfect for gaming.

“A lot of it looks like a game, all the displays and stuff,” he said. “That’s going to come over really well.”

In the meantime, “America’s Army” fans should be on the lookout for game modification tools that will allow them to create their own maps for the current version. After review and testing — in-house and by the “America’s Army” community — the best player creations might be incorporated into the game download.