Franklin Mills Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania recently unleashed the motherload (aka, the biggest & best of the best) of simulated and visually interactive video game spots- The Army Experience Center. It definitely beats any GameStop or Game Crazy (in my opinion) in terms of ability to capture the essence of a video game. Oh and why, you might ask, is this $13 million center located in only one location, Philly PA.? Well, apparently Philadelphia has proved to be a trouble spot for Army recruiters, and the Army hopes that this center will thus increase recruitment and enlistment (Reiss, 2009). Whether or not their master plan of using video games to allure Army recruitments, well, only time will tell.

What is so tempting about this hot spot? For one thing it’s a place where parents can drop their kids off, ages 13+, and continue to shop, as there is a Victoria’s Secret and Banana Republic conveniently nestled to the left and right of this video game haven. But the true allure most probably would have to be the fact that there is a real Humvee, Black Hawk helicopter and an Apache gunship located right inside the center. This center, not only proves to be tempting for parents to leave their kids alone, as they will be surrounded by peers their age in addition to 37 full-time Army soldiers and five reservists (Reiss, 2009) but it also is appealing to children and teens because, I mean, come on, they get to play video games on either computers, or an Xbox 360!!! I honestly have to say, I would have wanted to go inside, if I was the Army’s target age range (which is 13-early adulthood). And to be honest, I am curious now and should I venture to Pennsylvania, I will have to take a look-see myself- assuming it’s still open that is.

Many people are upset by this new state-of-the-art Army Experience Center. Primarily due to the fact that not only are the video games, simulations and visualizations quite real to what an individual of Army recruitment age would actually experience on the combat field, but also, children ages 13 through 16 (and older) are allowed inside. Now, please take note that the video games located inside and the center itself, has been rated for a mature audience. Meaning, those 16 and under should not be allowed inside. Additionally, many protest using video games as a means of representing reality. Meaning, although it may appear real (e.g., blood, gore, gunshot sounds, holding a model gun, hearing the roaring engine of a humvee), to a child, adolescent or teen, they may not necessarily be able to distinguish the difference between reality and virtual-reality. This is something many researchers and scientists have been trying to warn parents who allow their children to play mature video games, when they are not 17 years of age. It takes a certain level of intelligence to distinguish reality from a video game (Steuer, 1992). Additionally, it has been suggested that violent video game play also tends to increase aggressive thoughts, feelings and behaviors (Anderson & Dill, 2000).

So, do you think the, Army or mall for that matter, should allow children 13-16 inside? Do you think using video games is the way to really capture what the “real-life” experience on the battle field will be like? Is it realistic? Would you chose to let your 13-year-old go inside? Tell us what you think :) .

More later,

-Anna DiNoto

*Note: The opinions are my own, Anna Dinoto’s, only. Thank you and I hope you enjoy and keep on reading as well as commenting- it is greatly appreciated !*

References:

Anderson, C., & Dill, K. (2000, April). Video games and aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the laboratory and in life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78(4), 772-790. Retrieved August 11, 2009, doi:10.1037/0022-3514.78.4.772

Reiss, A. (2009). Army using video games to tempt recruits. http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH /01/14/am.army.experience/index.html

Steuer, J. (1992). Defining virtual reality: Dimensions determining telepresence. Journal of Communication, 42, 73-93.