Editing America's Army (section)

== Gameplay ==
[[File:AA285GameOpeningIntro.webm|thumb|''America's Army 2'' game intro]]
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''America's Army'' is a [[multiplayer video game]] that enables players to act as soldiers in the U.S. Army in a round-based team [[tactical shooter]] with combat at [[squad#United States|squad]]-level and three [[fireteam#United States|fireteam]]s. [[GameSpot]] admired the game's authenticity: "It's pretty realistic—you take one or two shots and you go limp, you take one more and you're done."<ref name="KennedyNYT">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/11/technology/uncle-sam-wants-you-to-play-this-game.html?sq=wardynski&scp=1&st=cse|title=Uncle Sam Wants You (To Play This Game)|author=Kennedy, Brian|date=2002-07-11|access-date=2008-10-28|newspaper=New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727120943/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/11/technology/uncle-sam-wants-you-to-play-this-game.html?sq=wardynski&scp=1&st=cse|archive-date=2018-07-27|url-status=live}}</ref> Another game review described ''America's Army'' as "the most realistic portrayal of weapons and combat of any game".<ref>{{cite web |publisher=GamesFirst! |title=America's Army Preview |url=http://www.gamesfirst.com/index.php?id=933 |access-date=2008-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122095157/http://www.gamesfirst.com/index.php?id=933 |archive-date=2009-01-22 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== ''America's Army'' ===
''America's Army'' promotes adherence to the U.S. Army's [[LDRSHIP|seven core values]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Military.com |title=Magazine Focuses on Army Gaming |url=http://www.military.com/entertainment/games/game-news/magazine-focuses-on-army-gaming |access-date=2008-10-28 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081119024330/http://www.military.com/entertainment/games/game-news/magazine-focuses-on-army-gaming| archive-date= 19 November 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> To this extent, the game's main ranking system, "Honor", is named after one.

''America's Army'' includes optional medical training designed to provide real-world information. In order to assume the role of combat lifesaver in the game, players must pass a virtual medical training course based on actual training that soldiers receive with regard to evaluating and prioritizing casualties, controlling bleeding, recognizing and treating shock, and administering aid when victims are not breathing. Two ''America's Army'' players have reported using the training they received in-game to save lives in emergency situations;<ref name="wired08">{{cite news |publisher=Wired Online |title=Man Imitates America's Army, Saves Lives |date=January 2008 |url=http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/01/americas-army-t.html |access-date=2008-10-28 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080916200318/http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/01/americas-army-t.html| archive-date= 16 September 2008 | url-status= live | first=Earnest | last=Cavalli}}</ref> one such account, by Paxton Galvanek, received national media attention.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=PSXExtreme |title=America's Army Game Saves Lives |url=http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/2460.html |access-date=2008-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081103035653/http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/2460.html |archive-date=2008-11-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The game also allows players to train to drive the [[HMMWV]] and qualify to use the [[CROWS]] system allowing in-game use of the [[Mk 19 grenade launcher]] and [[Browning M2]]. Training is also available for the [[FGM-148 Javelin|Javelin]] missile as well as specialist training such as parachute training, which allows access to the [[82nd Airborne Division (United States)|Airborne]] missions, and Special Forces training which allows access to the Special Forces missions.

The round ends when one team completes the objective or eliminates the entire opposing team. In certain circumstances, such as when both teams are eliminated or both sides have not completed their objectives when time runs out, there will be a tie.

''America's Army'' achieves a high realism level in terms of visual and acoustic representation of combat, [[firearm]] usage, and mechanics, but its critics have alleged that it fails to convey [[war]]time conditions as accurately as it claims.<ref name="Webb"/> "If you are going to join the Army, you know the risk", says player Bart Koscinski. "In this game, you might die eight times in 15 minutes. In real life, people know what they are getting themselves into."<ref>{{cite news |work=CBS News |title=Army Recruits Video Gamers: Latest Recruiting Tool Winning Over Hearts, Minds Of Teens |author =Acosta, Jim |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/army-recruits-video-gamers/ |date=2004-03-30 |access-date=2008-10-28 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081016085101/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/30/eveningnews/main609489.shtml| archive-date= 16 October 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

=== ''America's Army 3'' ===
''America's Army 3'' is a first-person shooter video game, the sequel to ''America's Army''. In comparison to its previous versions, ''America's Army 3'' was completely remade using Unreal Engine 3 and introduced a number of changes. Medical training is now compulsory, allowing all players to give basic [[IFAK]] treatment. While the original ''America's Army'' required the completion of training to play online, ''America's Army 3'' allows one to jump into a game with limited capability, and training is required to unlock desired equipment and skills. Another feature is melee combat in battle using a rifle butt, allowing for stealthier close combat situations. ''America's Army 3'' also removed jumping to eliminate the practice of unrealistic [[bunny hopping]]-type evasive maneuvers.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} Players can climb onto or hurdle over low obstacles. ''America's Army 3'' reorganizes the fire teams that players were grouped into; the [[Designated Marksman]] was made a member of one of the fire teams instead of being a separate two-man shooter/spotter element as would be more fitting of a [[sniper team]].

In June 2011, the U.S. Army released an update to ''America's Army 3'', which includes two new multiplayer maps, Shantytown and Stronghold, and a number of features including gameplay for "Every Soldier a Sensor". The ES2 gameplay in ''America's Army 3'' brought awareness of the importance of every soldier being observant on every mission. During ''America's Army 3'' gameplay, players are rewarded for observing and reporting back things that they came across during the mission that were suspicious or out of place. In December 2011, ''America's Army 3'' introduced a new inventory item, the M106 Fast Obscurant Grenade (FOG), into gameplay. The release also provided a new game loader front end to easily create player accounts, view news, manuals, Personnel Jacket and player stats, launch a game server, and a link to the ''America's Army'' website.

=== ''America's Army: Proving Grounds'' ===
''America's Army: Proving Grounds'' is a first-person shooter video game, created using Unreal Engine 3. ''America's Army: Proving Grounds'' was released in open beta on August 29, 2013. The game brings back many features from previous ''America's Army'' games and stresses small unit tactical maneuvers and training to reflect the current day U.S. Army. As with previous versions, ''America's Army: Proving Grounds'' was designed with certain principles and ideals in mind including [[Army values]], the [[U.S. Soldier's Creed|Soldier's Creed]], teamwork, training, and completing the objective. Gameplay scenarios include Battle Drill Exercises and Forward Line Operations. Battle Drill Exercises (BDX) is fast-paced and meant for small engagements of 6 vs. 6 players. BDX maps focus on the basic movements and maneuvers, allowing players to quickly learn how opposing forces play and adjust their strategy for future engagements. Forward Line Operations (FLO) are larger 12 vs. 12 mission-based exercises allowing players to use the skills learned in their Battle Drills to achieve success.

In ''America's Army: Proving Grounds'', players can use weapons new to the series such as the [[Remington 870|Remington 870 MCS shotgun]] and [[Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle|M14 EBR-RI Designated Marksman Rifle]], in addition to weapons like the [[M9 pistol]], [[M4A1#M4A1|M4/M4A1]] and the [[M249 light machine gun]] which had been in previous ''America's Army'' games. Gameplay features include situational awareness for spotting enemies, effects of weapon suppression, a supported fire system for steadying or resting weapons to help with aim, self-aid where players can stabilize themselves,  the revival of incapacitated teammates, securing the enemy, and a more advanced hardcore mode. The game also features updated versions of the hospital and bridge.

Set in the fictional Republic of the Ostregals, players assume the role of an [[Infantry Branch (United States)|11B Infantryman]] practicing combat maneuvers at Joint Training Center Griffin (aka The Proving Grounds) as well as a [[MOUT]] (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) training environment quickly assembled using existing building infrastructure, [[CONEX|Conex]] shipping containers, and local materials. This training is crucial to the player's success as part of the Long Range Combined Arms–Recon (LRCA-R) team, a full spectrum capable unit for doing special operations missions deep behind enemy lines.