Virtual Army Experience Tour
Client: America's Army
America’s Army Virtual Army Experience (VAE) mobile marketing vehicle is a design and technology marvel that utilizes four 53’ hydraulic trailers supporting an inflatable tarp which creates over 10,000 square feet of computer game simulation experience zones. The exhibit is designed to be split in half in order to accommodate smaller venues and double the capacity of participants simultaneously. It is by far one of Spevco’s most sophisticated and successful projects to date.
Five years ago, the Army launched a free first-person shooter virtual reality game entitled America’s Army that received solid reviews from gamers everywhere. The Army had joined forces with computer game developers to create simulation experiences that could train recruits to be ready for actual combat situations. They ultimately realized that these games could also be used to potentially recruit Gen Y individuals into the Army. Therefore, the VAE experience was created to take the simulation experience directly to venues where the “gamer generation” would congregate such as Spring Break locations and sporting events.
America's Army: Special Forces
Enhancing the original game into a video version, America’s Army: Special Forces is a new experience that creates a life-size networked virtual world and teaches participants about teamwork, rules of engagement, leadership, military technology and how to capture a High Value Target (HVT). In fact, guests know they are in for a “larger than life” experience as soon as they see the mammoth size of the exhibit.
The white accordion-pleated, domed inflatable provided by Image Technologies in Australia is secured to Spevco’s hydraulic trailers and all are branded with VAE and U.S. Army graphics. Two large LEDs are mounted on the exterior of the exhibit with a live feed that shares the real-time experiences of other guests participating in the VAE, and the excitement builds as they finally enter the exhibit.
The Mobile Marketing Experience
Once inside the exhibit, the first stop for all guests is the registration area. Technology partner Fish provided the registration system which consisted of laptops where guests input personal data, a camera to take their photo, and a card printer that created a personalized smart card with a Radio Frequency Identification chip containing each candidate’s personal data. The smart card is an integral part of the experience because it allows game personnel to understand exactly which roles and location each participant has assumed during the simulation exercise.
Next, participants are clustered into teams consisting of four members each, walk over a crosswalk to the Joint Ops Commend center, and are addressed by military personnel who explain their virtual mission. During this session, team members learn that they will fall in on HMMWVs that are duplicates of Special Forces vehicles being used in the military today. They are then asked to volunteer for certain positions during the virtual mission in which some of the participants will be located physically on the HMMWV, others will be deployed to two Overwatch (covering) positions, and all will be employing either light simulator arms or TOW anti-tank missiles.
The HMMWV simulators, provided by Scenic Route, are located inside each of the four double-expandable Spevco vehicles, and house simulation weapon systems software engineering devices created by SEP. Once in position on each vehicle, participants are plunged into the simulation experience via a screen that shows a HiDef video simulated terrorist attack and feel that they are actively participating in the counter attack. All who participate feel both exhilarated and exhausted when the mission is completed.
When the simulation exercise has ended, participants exit back into the inflatable area’s “After Action” rooms to receive a “debriefing” performance review from another member of the military. They view a brief recruiting video, and then are presented with an official lanyard, a copy of America’s Army: Overwatch (the PC version of their simulation experience) and the highest scoring participant receives an action figure of Sgt. Tommy Riemer, an actual military hero who now serves as a consultant for the simulation experience. Participants who are interested in learning more about actual opportunities offered through enlistment are invited to speak privately to an Army recruiter at that time.
Participants are always heard commenting on the seeming reality of their simulated experience, but they are equally impressed by the space housing the experience which was uniquely designed by Spevco and embellished by its technology partners. Accordingly, the U.S. Army has deemed the VAE to be its most successful virtual reality training and recruiting venture to date, and plans to expand its tour in 2008.
Go Spevco. Go Army! It’s a winning combination!