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Later this year, a coin-operated, light-gun version of “America’s Army” is headed to arcades, pizza parlors and the like, offering gamers an alternative to popular games such as “Silent Scope” and “Area 51.” As with those titles, players will draw a handheld weapon and take aim at on-screen targets.
“The arcade game allows us to reach a whole new demographic,” Chambers said. “Malls, bowling alleys, pizza parlors — the arcade game allows us to do that.”

Beginning in March, game designers plan to release a host of new maps for the PC game to keep the online community thriving. The maps — designed by game development students at Southern Methodist University, Champlain College and others — will feature new multiplayer battles for the millions of “America’s Army” fans.

In April, the “America’s Army: Real Heroes” action figure line is expected to launch at major toy retailers worldwide. Based on a handful of soldiers who received combat awards in Afghanistan and Iraq, the toys “caught fire” at the Hong Kong Toys and Game Fair in January, Wardynski said.

In June, game designers are planning a new release of the “America’s Army” PC game, adding a digital version of the Virtual Army Experience to the PC game, so players who can’t try out the free-standing simulator can still get a taste of what it’s like. Screen shots from the digital VAE can be seen at www.americasarmy.com.

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