My moment of Clarity (US Govt. training w/RS)

[Cocobolo]

As you all probably know, UbiSoft (owner of Red Storm) has licenced the RS engine to a defense contractor for "developemnt" as a training tool for soldiers in decision making and planning in various environments. So I popped over to the site, read the release, then dropped over to the METT(name of the "mod") main page and that's when I had my moment of clarity.....

let us pause briefly..
and ponder once more what we modders occasionally consider...
How could we get ?paid doing mods? The answer: Work for LB&B associates, make mods for defence contracts! As you look thru the shots on the METT page, check out the uniforms, my reaction was "eh", but that's the point. These guys don't have to be super modders to give the client what they need, and all they are really doing is what we all do all the time. Mostly, they seem to be using the regular RS stuff, even the splash screen looks like a mod you get off the web. hmmmm I'm getting depressed... Well, maybe somebody from the dept of defense will drop us a mail after US TAC Mod comes out! I'll just keep checking back for it!
ubisoft release
http://corp.ubisoft.com/pr_release_010829a.htm

METT Sim main page:
http://www.mettsim.com/

[Cobra6]

Well, maybe somebody from the dept of defense will drop us a mail after US TAC Mod comes out!

Why not? I mean we put out the best mods. You don't think these guys spend hours looking through R/S websites for ideas . You may even see the Land Warrior end up there. Quick Copyright that bad boy...

[Cocobolo]

Federal Supreme Court Judge> "order in the court!!!...
...now son I'm not sure if I heard you correctly, did you say you are sueing the Dept of Defense?"

Cocobolo> "That's right your honor..."

ahhhh daydreams

[DKFlint723]

lol, if only you could.  The thing I don't get is why didn't the army use Operation Flashpoint instead of RS?? OFP is a hell of a lot more realistic and it has a lot more features than RS. Oh well I guess that they didn't want the best.

[Cocobolo]

hey they are a defense contractor, I think if OFP was a better choice they would have gone with that, why settle? RS is easy to modify to fit any required scenario, and the realism in RS has no equal. Not talking graphics of poly's, but combat realism. OFP is more similar to Halflife and Quake than RS is.

[Deltapooh]

This topic is very important to me. I've been studying RS and SWAT 3 to help determine it's military use for some time.

I think I should point out a few things. First the reason why the military did not really consider other games is because, for one, it's creator, Tom Clancy is well respected within the US military. Also, the Army is not as informed about PC games as we are. There are more games out, like OFP and the up-coming Ghost Recon that have better engines.

I should point out that this is a "concept." Congress has not decided to fund the program. Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) has to evaluate the games potentials, develop doctrine for its proper use, and test results in the field. We are far from the widespread use of RS as a training tool.

Another thing, no one is stopping you from approaching the military with your proposal for mod making. Of course you will need approval from Red Storm and UBI software. This is how all this most likely began:

An military commander (most likely a general) saw what Rogue Spear could do and felt it had some military use. It is against the law for the military to go out and ask a company to develop anything. However, they can "suggest" what they are intested in. In this case, METT heard the call and went to the Army saying, "Hey we can create modifications to the RS engine to help train forces. Just take a look at what we can do." With a formal proposal, the Army approved.

If you can do more for less, the military will buy. Another area of consideration for modders is in training military personnel in modding. Sure they can learn from the game designers or professional modders. However, you guys know more and are very dedicated to your work. It is a long shot, but if you are really interested, do the research, talk to the right people, and create a formal proposal package.

I would also advice modders to start thinking about copying writting certain aspects of your modding. The guys over at the Naval Warfare Simulations have already done this. They create mods for Jane's Fleet Command. Earlier this year, fear of having their material copied, they got it protected. They still provide free mods, but no one can copy it without their approval. That is something all should consider. It would be sad if some cheap lazy company decided to steal your material and sell it just because they know you can't do anything about it.

As for Rogue Spears usage; I feel Rogue Spear would be a great tool to teach soldiers how to plan and execute MOUT and Special Forces operations. It could re-inforce the fundementals of combat, and help troops train as a team. It's greatest potential is the ability to create large maps of real world locations. This way troops can take a guided 3D tour of where they might fight. They could also plan operations and work out bugs.

I do not feel Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear, in the current form, should be used for Less than Lethal Force training. The game better suited to this is SWAT 3 EE. This engine was constructed around shooting only when necessary. Players are graded on how many lives they saved. That's perfect for Peacekeeping operations where deadly force defeats the goal of the mission.

[DKFlint723]

btw coco, ofp is no where near the same as Half life or quake. The AI is much more alert and realistic in ofp. Also ofp allowes more player movements wich is a big plus over RS. Right now ofp is consitered the most realistic combat sim. of all time.

[ViX]

I recently asked Michael S. Bradshaw General Manager, Systems Division of LB&B to take a look at the RS modding community in helping them out with their missions/scenarios since they recently adopted Red Storm's Rogue Spear engine to train the military. Now, this doesn't mean that he is looking, but when he does your work will already be there.

here is his reply:

Caroline,

Thank you for your interest. I have a team currently, but I am looking to
augment it based on our work load. If you would be so kind as to forward me
a resume and a sample of any maps that you have created, I will consider you
for a position. Please forward your resume to mbradshaw@lbbassociates.com


Regards,


Michael S. Bradshaw
General Manager, Systems Division

[Cobra6]

I have a team currently, but I am looking to augment it based on our work load. If you would be so kind as to forward me a resume and a sample of any maps that you have created, I will consider you for a position. Please forward your resume to mbradshaw@lbbassociates.com
Regards,
Michael S. Bradshaw
General Manager, Systems Division

See Coco...we could finish the Light Infantry Mod, and see how the military likes it.

[SiGmA_X]

Well, i gotta tell ya CoCo, Cobra... Thoses Deprt. Defeice mods are...well, shit... you guys make better stuff!!

[Deltapooh]

You are sure not lying there.