U.S. Army Launches Second Chapter of America's Army - The Graphic Novel



SILVER SPRING, MD, February 25, 2010 -- The U.S. Army announced today that it has launched the second chapter of America's Army - The Graphic Novel, a free online publication based on America's Army 3 (AA3), the only action game that delivers an authentic and entertaining Army experience by reflecting the training, technology, actions, and career advancement of a Soldier within an exciting, free game experience. Chapter 2 is live now on the America’s Army website (www.americasarmy.com/graphicnovel/).



The online graphic novel allows readers to explore the storyline behind the AA3 game through stories that showcase Army operations, Military Occupational Specialties, and high tech equipment while following the lives of U.S. Army Soldiers at home station and while deployed. Readers will discover stories of bravery and teamwork by Soldiers whose jobs include Intelligence Analyst, Medic, UAV Operator, Infantryman, and Apache Helicopter Pilot.



In Chapter 1: Knowledge is Power, readers followed the deployment of a U.S. Army Long Range Surveillance (LRS) team as a conflict arose between two fictitious countries, Czervenia and the Republic of the Ostregals. In this issue, Chapter 2: Rise to the Challenge, viewers pick up the story after the Czevenian invasion of the Ostregals and learn how the U.S. Army Soldiers rise to the challenge. Readers follow the life of Combat Medic Roy Lacroix who is put to the test and gains strength for life by demonstrating honor and integrity to succeed and accomplish the mission. Players can get peek at an abbreviated version of the graphic novel on the Official America’s Army channel on YouTube located at www.youtube.com/americasarmy.



In future versions of AA3, players will be able to assume the important role of Combat Medic, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 68W. By completing medic training, players will learn to treat minor and major injuries in single player training missions and render advanced medical treatment in multiplayer missions. All players will have Combat Life Saving (CLS) training as part of Basic Combat Training so they can assist and stabilize an injured or incapacitated teammate. Two players of prior versions of America’s Army who completed medic training actually used the medical skills they learned playing the game to respond successfully in life-threatening situations.



The online graphic novel features an original flash interface with advanced viewing controls to grab and flip pages as one would a printed comic and to zoom-in on a specific panel to more easily read it and enjoy the art. Many pages have context links so readers can click to learn more about Army life, jobs, or gear or reference the “field manual” which offers readers a glossary of terms and Army acronyms. Soon the America's Army Graphic Novel Issue 1: Knowledge Is Power will debut in a new motion comic format. While remaining true to the original artwork and story line, the motion comic adds a rich audio track, camera motion, and atmospheric elements to propel the story from its fast paced opening through to the daring helicopter rescue at the end.




About America’s Army



The Army creates and distributes America’s Army so that young Americans can virtually explore Soldiering in the U.S. Army like Soldiers experience it – as individuals and as members of teams. Through the Game’s virtual experiences, young Americans can explore the Army from basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and medic training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to operations in defense of freedom. Along the way, they can join elite Army units and experience the strength of Army teamwork, values, and technology within an engaging environment. The game has become an online phenomenon, consistently ranking among the most popular PC action games played online. The games are rated T for Teen and can be downloaded free from Steam (www.americasarmy.com/steam) and from various partners listed on the www.americasarmy.com website. They are also distributed at local Army Recruiting stations, ROTC Detachments, and Army events.

In the America's Army game, players are bound by Rules of Engagement (ROE) and grow in 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 Army’s core Values. Through its emphasis on team play, the game demonstrates these Values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage and makes them integral to success in America's Army.

The Army launched America’s Army in July of 2002, and has released major updates to the game every few months. These releases feature new technologies, missions, Army units, and occupations. In keeping with the dynamic nature of Soldiering, the America's Army game will continue to expand and allow players to explore the Army of today, tomorrow and the future. The most recent version of the game, America’s Army 3, launched in June 2009. Players can learn about America’s Army on the Official America’s Army channel on YouTube located at www.youtube.com/americasarmy where players can take part in game ‘Mission Challenges” or at the America’s Army Facebook page.