Military News Today

We’ve come a long way since the days of Pong. Now with the event of military video games along with the internet opening up online gaming, it’s not surprising that the US Military have been using the world of gaming to recruit.

Back in the day of WW1 & WW2, marketing methods of recruitment had posters, WW2 gained from the evolution of the moving picture and cinema where the Allied countries against Hitler would use videos from the front line made by the likes of the British & US Army showing the wins by the Allied forces. So with the evolution of gaming and its huge popularity, it’s not surprising why the US has used this to recruit for its armed forces.

Why Military Recruitment Marketing With Video Games Is a ‘GAME CHANGER’

The inspirational military recruitment posters of WW1 & WW2, the military tv adverts promising adventure and even the use of 9/11 and the war on terror just don’t cut it today with the wars in Iraq & Afghan now over. Its time for forward outside of the box thinking, its time to meet the people in the world of gaming

In 2002, the a first person shooter game by the name of America’s Army was developed. Initially to inform, educate and recruit potential soldiers of the future, where it was used as a communication device to allow Americans to virtually explore the army at their own pace. 

The game was supposed to only be a seven year program, and instead would go on to have a successful 20yrs. The game, initially distributed as a ‘free’ downloaded game on PCs expanded to include XBOX, arcade and mobile applications. America’s Army official online functionality and support for the most recent game in the series was withdrawn in May 2022. America’s Army was a true trailblazer that would inspire a renewed interest in America’s youth and set the stage for what has become a military recruitment marketing campaign using military first person video games.

However, it’s not gone without controversy. Not everyone has seen the militaries use of video games to recruit as a good idea. 

One notable opponent to such advertisements and recruitment strategies is US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Although AOC can be found on Twitch as a streamer, her stance is that, because of the ages of many within Twitch audiences, the military should avoid military recruitment marketing with video games, which targets children.

“Children should not be targeted in general for many marketing purposes in addition to military service. Right now, currently, children on platforms such as Twitch are bombarded with banner ads linked to recruitment signup forms that can be submitted by children as young as 12 years old. These are not education outreach programs for the military,” said Ocasio-Cortez.

This pinpoints the often complicated relationship between the military and the video game industry. On one hand, the military is working to find ways to recruit members to ensure that America remains protected. On the other hand is the balance of ethical methods for recruitment. As the US Armed Forces continue to navigate these intricacies, the military using video games to recruit is slated to continue through eSports and the increasing interest in streaming.

Using eSports To Recruit Military Personnel

During WW2, boxing was one of the preferred ways to enjoy some entertainment. The sport brought together troops as a great way to get some exercise, blow off some steam, and enjoy some camaraderie. Today, you’re just as likely to find our troops taunting their fellow servicemen after celebrating a Victory Royale in Fortnite.

Many branches of the military can be found on Twitch, a popular video game streaming website, showcasing their eSports skills. There are several popular games military personnel enjoy, including Call of Duty, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), and Overwatch. Soldiers take part in a show of competitiveness and can even win prizes such as video game consoles, but things are far from just a game here. These games help build skills, improve morale, and recruit new soldiers thanks to video game military recruitment marketing.

“Since the launch of AFG and the creation of the Space Force teams, we have learned that gaming has affected more Guardians and Airmen than we initially predicted. We have heard countless stories about how gaming while serving our country has provided an avenue to have fun playing games and communicate with friends and family around the globe, network with co-workers, provide an avenue to get through hard or stressful times and a moment to unplug from the daily grind, all while enjoying the virtual genre of their choosing,” said TSgt. Maurice Moyer, Space Liaison Officer, as reported by Forbes.

Tournaments continue to bring in a sizeable audience. The 22 events hosted by the Navy alone captured more than four million viewers, many of which are younger and eligible or soon-to-be eligible for service. Teenagers and young adults have helped revolutionise video games and caused streaming to go from a niche market right into mainstream success. If you can think of a better way to inspire enlistment than being paid to play Madden while serving your country, we’re all ears.

Video Games and Military Recruitment Have an Interesting Future

Video games, military recruitment, and teamwork all go hand in hand. As technology advances, each military branch will be able to find new, interesting ways to reach out to recruits that will continue to evolve. Military recruitment marketing continues to grow with more than 15,000 recruiters, private agencies getting involved, and more than $3billion invested into military recruiting each year.

Finding the next generation of our nation’s heroes comes in many different shapes and forms. It is a necessary process that helps keep our Armed Forces at the top of its game. Video games have entered the mix, and despite some pushback, it doesn’t look like they’re going away any time soon.