Virtual military
A virtual military organization (VMO) is a dedicated hobby organization that uses simulation to model the operations of the military.[1][2] Virtual military organizations generally have a presence on the Internet, similar to real military organizations. There are some VMOs of significance currently active. The most VMOs or MILSIM (Military Simulation)units play on casual dates. Some VMO operations are played [2] with thousands of participants involved at any one time. Similar to gaming clans, the key difference is that VMOs are realism groups, focusing on following real life procedures as much as possible. A quick search on google[3] will reveal quite a few VMO that go to varying degrees of depth to pursue their goal.
Each VMO or MILSIM unit has their own simulation set. Some will just simulate an US Army unit, but in rare cases you see units simulating a local army unit from their own country. The units mostly offer a rank system based on their nation. Also they offer courses.
Some VMO/MILSIM units already exist for 10 or more years. Those that are build on stability will succeed!
Realism vs Immersion
Each VMO chooses to either follow an immersive style, or a realism, or a combination of both. While all VMOs will incorporate a rank, some go as far as implementing a Military Logistics system,[4] including an economics model.[1]
While each has its benefits and followers, a mix between the two seems to be the most popular option.[5]
Games
There are some popular games used by the VMO community, mostly they play Armed Assault or Microsoft Flight Simulator. A few units play games like Call of Duty or Battlefield, but mostly those are semi MILSIM or VMO.
The most recent launched games are America's Army, Armed Assault 3 and the new Microsoft Flight.
Reception
It has been reported that Virtual Military groups which originated within the flight simulation genre are not as active as previously.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b
Van West, Jeff (2007). Microsoft Flight Simulator X for Pilots. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 672–685. ISBN 0-7645-8822-2.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Regis, Ed (2009-01-01). "Welcome to Cyberairspace". Air & Space Magazine. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- ^ http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=virtual+military&start=10&sa=N
- ^ http://www.usecforce.com/logistics
- ^ http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1056894
External links
- VATSIM list of Virtual Air Forces
- Bohemia Interactive list of Virtual Land Forces
- ITTN, A Virtual Reality World site with multiple VMO's listed that interact in a separate world reality, mostly on FSX and ArmA
Notable VMOs
- http://www.usecforce.com/
- http://www.shacktactical.com/
- http://www.vusn.org/
- http://www.vusaf.org/
- http://www.3rdinf.us/
- http://www.7thcavalry.us
Active VMO Factions on the ITTN (Please do NOT remove):