Army gets into games

Pandemic Studios has announced that the US Army has teamed up with University of Southern California, Sony Pictures ImageWorks, Pandemic Studios, and Quicksilver Software to develop two games that focus on modern military strategy. One game--C-Force--will be released for the latest console systems, and it will let players assume the role of a squad leader. The other game--CS-12--is being developed for the PC, and it will let players assume the role of a company commander.

The projects are a joint venture between the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT), a group operated by the US Army and the University of Southern California; Future Combat Systems (FCS), a group operated by Sony Pictures ImageWorks and Pandemic Studios; and Quicksilver Software, the creator of Starfleet Command and developer of the upcoming Master of Orion III. Both C-Force and CS-12 will run in real time and will take advantage of ICT's research in artificial intelligence, graphics, and sound. For the first time, the US Army will not only provide funding, but it will also use its Training & Doctrine Command bureau to assist with the games' development. The games are being developed in part to help train future military commanders.

"Educators realize that most young people today play computer games, and that there must be a way to tap into this market for real learning," said ICT executive director Richard Lindheim. "While offering unique training aids for potential squad leaders or captains, these products will also teach game players everywhere about how to leverage human resources and information--skills that will benefit them enormously in their professional lives."

C-Force is in development at FCS, and CS-12 is in development at Quicksilver. Both games are planned for release within two years. For more information, visit the official Web sites of ICT, FCS, and Quicksilver Software.