Keeping ‘World at War’ true to form - Military Video Games, computer games, games, gaming - Military Times

Keeping ‘World at War’ true to form

Sure, it’s just a game. But you can thank Army Lt. Col. Hank Keirsey, a retired 82nd Airborne paratrooper, for “Call of Duty’s” gritty grunt perspective.

Keirsey, retired from active duty since 2000, is the game’s military adviser. It’s his job to lock up the baggy-pants-wearing, spiked-hair-sporting game developers and make sure they get with the game’s military program.

On COD’s back story:

“It’s a great game, but it’s also a tribute to the legacy of courage and honor of a great generation.”

On the violence of the game:

“These developers are some sick bastards. The only thing you don’t get is the smell of burnt flesh.”

Best part of the game:

“The co-op feature. I was able to clear a room with my own son. How many soldiers ever get to say that?”

What WWII vets think:

“They believe kids should be out wrestling in the mud, not playing video games. Some change their minds when I remind them that their remarkable personal sto¬ries are also being told.”

His key contributions:

“I kick the ball in the lane and keep it on azimuth. As they devel¬op the scenarios, I ask things like ‘Who’s commanding here?’ and ‘Who’s putting down the base of fire? Where’s the base of fire? Where’s your maneuver?’ I back them off from gamer land and into soldier land.”

How real soldiers play the game differently from civilians:

“A soldier is much more deliber¬ate in use of cover and conceal¬ment. And you see him wince when he takes a round. There’s a visible duck.”