America's Army 3 announced + beta sign-ups

The US Army has now officially announced their plans to release America's Army 3, the next full version of their long running free multiplayer shooter game. This is the first major new version of the title since the original was released way back in 2002. The Unreal Engine 3 based game is scheduled for release later this year. Like the original, America's Army 3 was designed to be a recruitment tool for the US Army and as such the game will let the player follow a recruit through basic training as an Infantry soldier (a second role, the combat medic, will be added later this year). After going through Basic Training in the game's single player modes players can take their characters and go through additional training to unlock more weapons and abilities. Of course America's Army 3 will also have multiplayer as well and players can use their persistent characters into the online field as well.

AA3 highlights different aspects of the Army from Army Values and the Warrior Ethos to Army career opportunities and lifestyles both on and off duty. Through their in-game characters, AA3 players will be able to experience the way Soldiers train, live, and advance in the Army. AA3 players will also experience different types of technologies and equipment used by the Army's high-tech Soldier. Players are bound by Rules of Engagement (ROE) and gain experience as they navigate challenges in team-based, multiplayer, force on force operations. In the game, as in the Army, accomplishing missions requires teamwork and adherence to the seven Army Core Values. In the game, a player's actions and demonstrated Army values will have consequences that are integral to success in gameplay and will affect a player's career progression."

AA3 highlights different aspects of the Army from Army Values and the Warrior Ethos to Army career opportunities and lifestyles both on and off duty. Through their in-game characters, AA3 players will be able to experience the way Soldiers train, live, and advance in the Army. AA3 players will also experience different types of technologies and equipment used by the Army's high-tech Soldier. Players are bound by Rules of Engagement (ROE) and gain experience as they navigate challenges in team-based, multiplayer, force on force operations. In the game, as in the Army, accomplishing missions requires teamwork and adherence to the seven Army Core Values. In the game, a player's actions and demonstrated Army values will have consequences that are integral to success in gameplay and will affect a player's career progression." The game's official website has now launched and is now taking sign-ups to beta test the game.