THIS IS MY DEMOMAN COLUMN! THERE ARE MANY LIKE IT! (Many, many like it.) BUT THIS ONE IS MINE!

Hooah! This week I'm being deployed to America's Army 3, which I'll admit isn't actually a demo, but instead a full, free-to-play, first-person shooter created as a recruitment tool by the United States Army. I'm still going to treat it like a demo, however, and my rule with demos is that if I give them an eight sticky-bomb rating, I buy the full game. So, if I give this game an eight rating, I guess I will have to join the Army. Boy, I really I hope I don't like this game.

Luckily for me, I'm off to a good start in hating the crap out of it, after spending hours just trying to get the damn training missions to run. I won't go into detail on all the technical problems I had, but let's just say I spent a great deal of time stationed... Read more

Just one day after the launch of America's Army 3, the U.S. Army has opted to close its main Emeryville, CA-based studio in an effort to "consolidate development."

A representative for America's Army confirmed the news with Shacknews, noting that future development of the free-to-play PC military simulator will occur at the program office in Redstone Arsenal, AL. Exactly how many developers were affected is as yet unknown.

"This consolidation will allow us to gain efficiencies between our public and government applications," the representative explained. " We appreciate all the hard work that every member of the America's Army team has contributed to the project, and we... Read more

"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" will arrive on June 17, distributor Valve said today.

America's Army 3 updates the popular free-to-play series with Epic's Unreal Engine 3, bringing new missions, features and gameplay tweaks alongside the new tech.

In addition, the game will sport several enhancements for those that download and play through Valve's Steam platform, including achievements and server-stored settings.

The US Army today announced that America's Army 3, the third iteration of its free FPS shooter, will be released later in 2009.

As usual, America's Army 3 will be an entirely free game to download. Unreal Engine 3 graphics are set to mark the significant upgrade, while the Army promises plenty of new missions, features and gameplay tweaks.

"Through their in-game characters, AA3 players will be able to experience the way Soldiers train, live, and advance in the Army," reads a release by the Army. "AA3 players will also experience different types of technologies and equipment used by the Army's high-tech Soldier."

Training exercises will unlock new abilities and weapons as before, but players will now be able to cross-train on several different specialties. A new "instant action" mode will also allow users to skip the bothersome training and jump right into a game.