1. On the website http://www.americasarmy.com/, there is many different types of rhetoric. For example, when first accessing the site, one is bombarded with several photos of a soldier in action; an example of visual rhetoric. Navigating throughout the site, there is a section dedicated to real life wartime heroes. There are biographies and photographs of these soldiers posted on the site. This is an example of visual persuasion. There is no distinction made between the video game and real life soldiers. However, these are not the only persuasive images the website provides. America's Army allows a gamer to go through the real motions of becoming a soldier, such as training missions on a base. The color scheme on the website and in the game are desert camoflage. This connects the game to the Iraq War. High tech graphics immerse any gamer.
2. Teenagers to young adults are the intended audience for America's Army. I think the website is successful in it's appeal to its audience; state of the art graphics and training missions allow a realistic experience. Gamers are often searching for cutting edge plotlines and visuals in a video game. America's Army satisfies that want.
3. I do agree with Navy veteran Boyle that America's Army indoctrinates the ideology of war. A game that takes a player through training exercises, artillery preparation, battles, and other military basics will likely have some effect on a players' psyche. Many images I saw of America's Army take place in desert-like conditions; conditions very similar to that in Iraq.
4. I do not think America's Army influences teens to become more violent. However, I do think frequent exposure to violent and realistic video games can cause a player to become desensitized to these situations.
