Unreal Engine 3 Becomes U.S. Army Training Tool

[Andy Chalk]

Unreal Engine 3 Becomes U.S. Army Training Tool

Epic's Unreal Engine 3 will soon be put to use as a training tool for the United States Army.

I had no idea that there's something called the Intelligent Decisions Inc [http://virtualheroes.com/products/unreal-government-network-ugn]., "a pioneer in the application of instrumented wearable device technology in the mission training and rehearsal world," which has joined the UGN and licensed the Unreal Engine 3 for use in its software.

ID Inc. will use the Unreal Engine 3 to "improve the fidelity of autonomous avatars' behavior within the Dismounted Soldier Training System (DSTS) simulation with an aim to create a realistic training environment." In other words, at least as near as I can figure, it'll make for better AI, although other aspects of training scenarios will be improved as well. "Unreal Engine 3 will give ID's training scenario composers the ability to integrate an incoming fire haptic feedback system, full skeletal controls, and to customize terrain, weather, enemy forces, and other treacherous aspects of real life combat missions," Intelligent Design's Vice President of Simulation and Training Clarence Pape said.

The Dismounted Soldier Training System, since we're quoting amusingly dense Army press releases, is a "fully immersive virtual simulation training and rehearsal system for U.S. soldiers" that actually won the Army's Modeling and Simulation Award for Training last year. I didn't know that was something that existed, either.

Source: Business Wire [http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130729005263/en/Intelligent-Decisions-Partners-Unreal-Government-Network]


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[Teoes]

I can already hear the demented honking of various "news" outlets.. People being trained to kill using video games!

 

[CriticalMiss]

So the Unreal engine is being used in an actual murd....

I can already hear the demented honking of various "news" outlets.. People being trained to kill using video games!

Never mind :/

Why don't they just train people with paintball guns or something?

 

[NLS]

Should be noted that both Unreal Engine 2 & 3 have been used in the Americas Army games. Even the old Doom engine was used for some army project many years ago.

 

[RicoADF]

I can already hear the demented honking of various "news" outlets.. People being trained to kill using video games!

It's nothing new, VBS1 and VBS2 (Virtual BattleSpace) made by Bohemia Interactive Studios has been used by the marines, ADF and other militaries for years. VBS is basically ArmA with a few training tools added in (battle recording, observer mode etc etc)

 

[Teoes]

I can already hear the demented honking of various "news" outlets.. People being trained to kill using video games!

It's nothing new, VBS1 and VBS2 (Virtual BattleSpace) made by Bohemia Interactive Studios has been used by the marines, ADF and other militaries for years. VBS is basically ArmA with a few training tools added in (battle recording, observer mode etc etc)

I know that, as much as I already knew that this sort of thing had been done since the days of Doom. Unfortunately however it would be foolish to think that mainstream news media (or at least the more sensational sources) would know that, or think to research it, or simply care the next time they decide to wig out on the whole subject of dem vidya games.

It's almost like we need a.. a.. a call to arms, yeah, or a symbol to get behind, or something. No, wait, that's silly talk.

 

[RicoADF]

I know that, as much as I already knew that this sort of thing had been done since the days of Doom. Unfortunately however it would be foolish to think that mainstream news media (or at least the more sensational sources) would know that, or think to research it, or simply care the next time they decide to wig out on the whole subject of dem vidya games.

It's almost like we need a.. a.. a call to arms, yeah, or a symbol to get behind, or something. No, wait, that's silly talk.

Ah well if you already knew then feel free to disregard

I'm actually surprised that the training troops with videogames hasn't been brought up before because it's not secret knowledge. I just think most media groups are smart enough not to compare a military simulator made for the purpose of training with a videogame made to enjoy for fun. It'd be like comparing a documentary of the Titanic with the movie, their subject is similar as is the media the same but the product is very different and made for different reasons/audiences.

 

[Strazdas]

So, Epic gets more money sitting on their ass because they made a good engine a decade ago. i guess this really allows them to maek stupid comments in the media some more.

Because the videogames are safer and cheaper over the long run.

Paintball rounds for weapons require cleaning, a lot more repair, can only be used once, ect.

The virtual training has a higher initial cost but the cost over the long run is cheaper.

How about lazer tag? requires no specia lcleaning, the weapons are rather simple in design and cna be reused pretty much indefinatelly. And meanwhile you still use tactics in real world. granted, large scale (alrge areas) would take some stronger wifi needs for the costumes, but its not like a soldier cant carry an extra 1KG on its back now is it.

 

[Boris Goodenough]

How about lazer tag? requires no specia lcleaning, the weapons are rather simple in design and cna be reused pretty much indefinatelly. And meanwhile you still use tactics in real world. granted, large scale (alrge areas) would take some stronger wifi needs for the costumes, but its not like a soldier cant carry an extra 1KG on its back now is it.

You can make any environment with a simulator, you can be in a desert one simulation and in the next one snow covered urban area. That would cost more to do irl.

 

[Strazdas]

How about lazer tag? requires no specia lcleaning, the weapons are rather simple in design and cna be reused pretty much indefinatelly. And meanwhile you still use tactics in real world. granted, large scale (alrge areas) would take some stronger wifi needs for the costumes, but its not like a soldier cant carry an extra 1KG on its back now is it.

You can make any environment with a simulator, you can be in a desert one simulation and in the next one snow covered urban area. That would cost more to do irl.

Good point, i didnt think of that.

 

[CriticalMiss]

So the Unreal engine is being used in an actual murd....

I can already hear the demented honking of various "news" outlets.. People being trained to kill using video games!

Never mind :/

Why don't they just train people with paintball guns or something?

Because the videogames are safer and cheaper over the long run.

Paintball rounds for weapons require cleaning, a lot more repair, can only be used once, ect.

The virtual training has a higher initial cost but the cost over the long run is cheaper.

But then you can teach people how to clean a gun at the same time. They could always resort to sticks and shouting 'pew pew'.