Crysis 2 Engine Enlists with the U.S. Army for New Military Simulator - Polidicks

[release]The United States Army is funding what could the most realistic military simulator ever developed, and they're doing it with the same technology that powered Crysis 2. The U.S. Army is spending $57 million on what's essentially the most realistic video game ever made. And they're using Crytek's CryEngine 3 technology to power the new combat simulator, which means soldiers will get an exclusive gaming experience that goes well beyond Crysis 2 or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. [img]http://cdn1.gamepro.com/article_img/gamepro/21202-219665-3.jpg?rand=C537BFE9-0FAD-E9A7-2C3FA51F459D2606[/img] The new Dismounted Soldier Training System (DSTS) from tech company Intelligent Decisions will enable U.S. soldiers, leaders, and units to train within a photorealistic video game environment that features real weather conditions, squad interactions, and advanced motion sensor technology for full 360-degree movement in-game. The Army will have 102 systems in place globally in January 2012. "What we're trying to do with infantry squad-level training is suspension of disbelief, and the CryEngine 3 is the best video game technology on the market today," said Floyd West, Director of Strategic Programs, Orlando Division of Intelligent Decisions. "With CryEngine 3 being used for Crysis 2 and the capabilities that game engine provides, it allows us to make the most realistic simulation possible. We're able to transport soldiers to accurately recreated locales like Afghanistan and Iraq, where we can simulate everything from visuals to 360-degree sound." Soldiers will gear up with special head-mounted displays on their helmets to bring the virtual world to life, but they'll still have some real-world peripheral vision to ensure they don't bump into their squad mates. Each soldier will put on a backpack, called a "man wearable system," which is essentially a maxed-out gaming laptop (although one you wouldn't be able to buy at any retailer). [url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/219665/crysis-2-engine-enlists-with-the-u-s-army-for-new-military-simulator/][b]Video (Scroll down a little bit)[/b][/url] "While the man wearable units aren't running on an off-the-shelf Alienware, the internal components themselves are commercial off-the-shelf CPU's and GPU's like NVIDIA graphic cards and whatnot," said West. The training area consists of a 10-by-10 foot pad for each soldier to operate within. A full range of motion is captured in the game, allowing soldiers to move and look in any direction. Firing weapons is handled using a joystick. Voice communication is done in-game amongst squad mates. "The goal is to complete common operating environments, so the things the Army is doing today would be Afghanistan, the mountainous, cavernous regions, and the Iraqi desert-like regions, as well as wooded areas," said West. "We have some geotypical and common operating environments built-in for training, but the system will come with an editor that allows real missions to be created in the field." [img]http://cdn1.gamepro.com/article_img/gamepro/21200-219665-1.jpg?rand=C537BFE7-9B52-9FA0-D211156C673A984C[/img] West said that Crytek's game engine allows editors to create extremely detailed environments within the virtual world. DSTS accurately simulates the movement of ground vehicles, aircraft, dismounted infantry, and guided weapons. The training system also conforms visually with the environment by identifying such elements as footprints, disturbed soil and grass, rolling terrain, and dense vegetation. Just as gamers are used to playing Call of Duty: Black Ops in all types of virtual conditions, the simulator will bring a given area's real world effects to life. West said the training system offers highly realistic precipitation, wind, and storm effects, along with lifelike atmospheric light propagation, light scattering, and movie-quality scene lighting that provide the soldier with a sense of realism not achieved with past simulators. This technology will allow facilitators in the field to essentially "mod" a mission before sending Special Forces or other soldiers out in the real world to accomplish that task. Previously, soldiers would rely on aerial photography, schematics, or "word of mouth" before heading into danger. Now they'll be able to literally play through a mission over and over again with their squad mates until they feel they have everything down. [img]http://cdn1.gamepro.com/article_img/gamepro/21201-219665-2.jpg?rand=C537BFE8-D3A6-C2EA-585B58A6B0B671E1[/img] There is a high score involved for this game, as well. In addition to being used in global hot spots to prepare for real missions, DSTS will be utilized as a training tool for current and future soldiers. West said the simulator has been programmed with five operational themes, including major combat operations, irregular warfare, peace operations, limited intervention and peacetime military engagement, as well as offense, defense, stability and civil support. [img]http://cdn1.gamepro.com/article_img/gamepro/21204-219665-5.jpg?rand=C537BFEB-9E5A-8299-C10B73E97350D41D[/img] The training system also allows leaders to plan and execute individual and collective tasks in a challenging virtual environment, with squads or teams conducting multiple iterations to achieve objectives and maximize training time. Soldiers receive scores in a report after each session, so they can see what they've accomplished. West said that each system will come with the equivalent of five laptops programmed with the software so that soldiers and instructors can interact with the environment minus the gear. "A soldier could practice a scenario alone or with squad members, just as they would play an online video game," said West. "Soldiers and instructors could also play roles within the simulation. For example, they might play civilians that interact with someone from that squad, or they could play an opposing force, an enemy combatant. They could also control a group of semi-automated forces in the world." [img]http://cdn1.gamepro.com/article_img/gamepro/21206-219665-7.jpg?rand=C537BFED-B1D2-03E2-EA8721D12FEBB8E0[/img] Much of the $57 million price tag for this technology is going towards the equipment, which features the most advanced motion-tracking technology out there today. "Kinect is not there yet, but it is getting closer," said West. "There are different types of camera-based systems out there in the market, but they're not able to track a squad of four guys individually, which is what we do with our simulator." The Army has been at the forefront of using video games to recruit and train players. The America's Army video game, which runs on Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3 technology, has been active since 2003. For this latest project, Crytek's game engine technology beat out Epic's. And the end result is a unique video game experience that will allow soldiers to "be all they can be" virtually, and then in the real world. [img]http://cdn1.gamepro.com/article_img/gamepro/21205-219665-6.jpg?rand=C537BFEC-95E9-3B36-CDB260BDF1D7357F[/img][/release][url]http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/219665/crysis-2-engine-enlists-with-the-u-s-army-for-new-military-simulator/[/url]

Sell it to the public in order to mitigate the 57 million dollar price tag. Nope. No ulterior motives here. No siree. Just, uhh, looking out for the tax payer.

Wouldn't Frostbite 2 had been a better choice? Or is DICE keeping that for themselves only.

[QUOTE=GunFox;30087193]Sell it to the public in order to mitigate the 57 million dollar price tag. Nope. No ulterior motives here. No siree. Just, uhh, looking out for the tax payer.[/QUOTE] Continue to charge $59.99 2 1/2 years after it's released to milk em for what it's worth, just like what Ubisoft did with MW2.

[QUOTE=garrynohome;30087233]Wouldn't Frostbite 2 had been a better choice? Or is DICE keeping that for themselves only.[/QUOTE]No publicly released SDK and they said they were on the fence about making one for BF3 modding.

[QUOTE=Political Gamer;30087268]No publicly released SDK and they said they were on the fence about making one for BF3 modding.[/QUOTE] Oh I heard about the lack of the modding SDK. But I'm sure DICE would allow the US military to license their engine if they asked.

[QUOTE=garrynohome;30087312]Oh I heard about the lack of the modding SDK. But I'm sure DICE would allow the US military to license their engine if they asked.[/QUOTE] Without a doubt. Imagine you are making an arcadey, but military based, video game when the actual military asks if they can use your engine to make their own. In addition to the licensing fees, you also gain major free press.

neat

She's got a name. :colbert: Can't wait for the public SDK though, though when it comes out I'll either be busy with work or in the army.

[QUOTE=garrynohome;30087233]Wouldn't Frostbite 2 had been a better choice? Or is DICE keeping that for themselves only.[/QUOTE] I find the frostbite 2 engine to over exaggerative the destruction. Also Crytek in my opinion looks more photo realistic than the frostbite 2 engine.

[QUOTE=.FLAP.JACK.DAN.;30087416]I find the frostbite 2 engine to over exaggerative the destruction. Also Crytek in my opinion looks more photo realistic than the frostbite 2 engine.[/QUOTE] Well Crytek did a piss poor job of showing us that with Crysis 2. As it stands pre alpha footage of BF3 is much more realistic looking than Cryengine has shown to be. [QUOTE=usaokay;30079780][img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8927515/hus.gif[/img] [img]http://i54.tinypic.com/2dmfott.gif[/img] [img]http://i52.tinypic.com/260eqgz.gif[/img] [img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8927515/spreja.gif[/img][/QUOTE] Um, frostbite wins big time.

[QUOTE=garrynohome;30087233]Wouldn't Frostbite 2 had been a better choice? Or is DICE keeping that for themselves only.[/QUOTE] why would they want to work with an engine which is still in pre-alpha stages when crytek is already here and ready to go

It's a good idea but, but, for fuck's sake, do they need to use CoD [I]every time they're alluding to a game?[/I]

[QUOTE=Mon;30087526]why would they want to work with an engine which is still in pre-alpha stages when crytek is already here and ready to go[/QUOTE] The engine isn't pre alpha, BF3 is. Do you really think that from now until fall they're going to finish the engine then make BF3? That would be an awful idea, you'd have no time to make the game.

[QUOTE=garrynohome;30087566]The engine isn't pre alpha, BF3 is. Do you really think that from now until fall they're going to finish the engine then make BF3?[/QUOTE] crytek's here frostbite doesn't have a game out on it yet

[QUOTE=Mon;30087581]crytek's here frostbite doesn't have a game out on it yet[/QUOTE] Wow. That's impressive lack of knowledge. So because Crytek made a game with it that automatically means it's completed and Frostbite isn't because they haven't finished making BF3. Game completion and engine completion are not correlated. You make the engine then when it's done you make a game using it. You can't do them simultaneously.

[QUOTE=garrynohome;30087598]Game completion and engine completion are not correlated. You make the engine then when it's done you make a game using it. You can't do them simultaneously.[/QUOTE] crytek has proven itself as a suitable and easy to use engine theres no reason to go for frostbite besides your fanboy delight

[QUOTE=GunFox;30087193]Sell it to the public in order to mitigate the 57 million dollar price tag. Nope. No ulterior motives here. No siree. Just, uhh, looking out for the tax payer.[/QUOTE] This could actually work, obviously it would need to be dumbed down a bit but it would offset the cost for the US government. Can't see it happening though, even if there is a small market for it.

Why do all of you think that licensing a game engine means using it's ready assets. If what they needed was to have destructible environments, they could do that with Cryengine as well.

EDIT: Oh look you actually changed it to add something to the post instead of a quote and nothing else. If they're going for a realistic military shooter frostbite is a more capable engine. You can try and paint it as fanboyism but you've given no legitimate evidence to support your claim. Put evidence, use facts. Don't just act like you understand how game development works and call everyone who denies it a fanboy.

Also RealTime Imersive have been working on sim stuff with CryENGINE ([url]http://www.rt-immersive.com[/url]) and they seem to be the developers (at least some of them anyway) of the thing mentioned in the OP, check their videos on [url=http://www.youtube.com/user/RealTimeImmersive]youtube[/url]. CryENGINE does look pretty good in these videos IMO.

[QUOTE=Jsm;30087696]Also RealTime Imersive have been working on sim stuff with CryENGINE ([url]http://www.rt-immersive.com[/url]) and they seem to be the developers, check their videos on [url=http://www.youtube.com/user/RealTimeImmersive]youtube[/url]. CryENGINE does look pretty good in these videos IMO.[/QUOTE] Looks nice but that lip syncing was awful.

[QUOTE=garrynohome;30087709]Looks nice but that lip syncing was awful.[/QUOTE] Their other videos showing off stuff are more impressive to be honest, the night vision shown off in one of the videos seems to be better simulated than any other game or sim I have seen recently. Although I am only comparing real videos with games / game videos.

[QUOTE=Mon;30087636]crytek has proven itself as a suitable and easy to use engine theres no reason to go for frostbite besides your fanboy delight[/QUOTE] Fanboy delight? Your the one who seems to have a Crytek dick up your ass so why are you calling him a fanboy? Also have you not seen Bad company 2? Or Bad Company?

[QUOTE=nerdygamer;30087790]Fanboy delight? Your the one who seems to have a Crytek dick up your ass so why are you calling him a fanboy? Also have you not seen Bad company 2? Or Bad Company?[/QUOTE] played and loved both crytek is what they chose and there's no reason at this point to pick otherwise

Uhh, how does Crytek's AI stack up? Last time I played Crysis, they just continued to line up and run into a trailer one by one.

[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;30087934]Uhh, how does Crytek's AI stack up? Last time I played Crysis, they just continued to line up and run into a trailer one by one.[/QUOTE] AI coding and Engine coding are two different things. EDIT: Oh and obligatory: Running into trailers while getting shot at? Sounds like the Taliban to me!

If it has the same gameplay mechanics then the rookies are screwed.

[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;30087934]Uhh, how does Crytek's AI stack up? Last time I played Crysis, they just continued to line up and run into a trailer one by one.[/QUOTE] Uhhh, that's up to the programmers to choose and the Crytek engine if I recall correctly, is easily modded. Which is something you all keep forgetting when mentioning Frostbyte. It has yet to prove how well it can be retooled by users WHO didn't fucking make the engine. The Crytek engine has.

On a slightly more serious note, I wonder if this will become a serious competitor to Bohemia Interactive's VBS2.