News: 0175339519

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A Million People Play This Video Wargame. So Does the Pentagon. (msn.com)

(Monday October 28, 2024 @06:50PM (msmash) from the unusual-beginnings dept.)


A commercial military simulation software, originally inspired by Tom Clancy novels, has [1]become an unexpected tool for military training across NATO forces and defense analysts worldwide. Command: Professional Edition, developed by Britain's Slitherine Software, has secured contracts with the U.S. Air Force and British Strategic Command, while Taiwanese analysts use it to war-game potential conflicts with China.

The software's success stems from its vast database of military equipment and capabilities, compiled through contributions from its million-strong user base. Marine Corps University's wargaming director Tim Barrick employs the software to train officers, noting its effectiveness in developing tactical creativity. "These are not simple problems," said Barrick, a retired Marine colonel, told WSJ.

A fascinating excerpt from the report:

> Command's British publisher, Slitherine Software, stumbled into popularity. The family business got started around 2000 selling retail CD-ROM games like Legion, involving ancient Roman military campaigns. When Defense Department officials in 2016 first contacted Slitherine, which is based in an old house in a leafy London suburb, its father-and-son managers were so stunned they thought the call might be a prank. "Are you taking the piss?" J.D. McNeil, the father, recalled asking near the end of the conversation.



[1] https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/a-million-people-play-this-video-wargame-so-does-the-pentagon/ar-AA1sZEGv



Slitherine Software? (Score:2)

by locater16 ( 2326718 )

We have Palantir as well. Next up "Sithsoft", "BorgWare", "Frieza Tech"...

Youtubers too (Score:2)

by Talon0ne ( 10115958 )

Want to see China sink a US carrier?

[1]https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]

There's a lot of others too... Really an excellent piece of software.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJXWJ-Px5tU&pp=ygUIaHlwbyBvcHM%3D

Not sure why this is newsworthy? (Score:2)

by UnknownSoldier ( 67820 )

Back in the day, 2002, [1]America's Army [wikipedia.org] was used for training.

> The Windows version 1.0, subtitled Recon, was the first released version on July 4, 2002. As of January 2014 there had been over 41 versions and updates released including updates to America's Army: Proving Grounds, which was released in August 2013. All versions have been developed on the Unreal Engine. The game was financed by the U.S. government and distributed by free download.

"Tune in" next week when they report on [2]military sims [wikipedia.org] and [3]Tactical [wikipedia.org]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America's_Army

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MilSim#Video_games

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactical_shooter

Re: (Score:2)

by Baron_Yam ( 643147 )

Despite the fact that it was a recruiting tool and for the US military at that... if AA had a single player offline campaign I'd have downloaded it.

Yes. So? (Score:2)

by gweihir ( 88907 )

I am a gamer and I looked into it. General sentiment was "not very fun, too realistic". That still makes for a reasonable part of training, but not for something I want to play for entertainment.

Re: (Score:2)

by HBI ( 10338492 )

It's very reminiscent of Harpoon. I loved that game, but it wasn't for everyone.

I don't play games lately.... (Score:1)

by dowhileor ( 7796472 )

But starships unlimited was fun when it was released and still replayable now. Distant Worlds 2 is their hot title right now i think. Never played it but it looks great.

Not me (Score:2)

by Revek ( 133289 )

I looked at the prices. All for and five figures including the student edition since it is a 30 licences minimum. Sounds like something that will get pirated if it hasn't been already.

Only $11,999! (Score:1)

by Iamthecheese ( 1264298 )

For only 12k per year I can afford two copies!

"I prefer to think that God is not dead, just drunk"
-- John Huston