Reservists in Nova Scotia may soon be training in Canada’s largest virtual battle lab known as Gagetown Labs.  The training features games such as Steel Beasts, First to Fight and SWAT 4.  In the article Major Tim Workman points out the flaws in training troops with video games which were made for retail shelves.  The problems include unlimited ammo, no fatigue, and the ability to be shot and continue fighting.  These all add together to reinforce the Rambo mentality which is deadly in the real battlefield.

The LAN Party headquarters of Canada is currently trying to tweak Virtual Battlespace to allow for more realistic situations.  In other attempts to impart realism into video games Gagetown has started requiring half of the 8 man squad complete a mission alive in order to pass and by removing a soldier from play after one hit.  While the training is not yet in widespread use Gagetown envisions SWAT 4 which requires players to warn hostiles and use non lethal force first to be helpful in urban combat situations present in Iraq.

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