American Prestige

Bonus - The Military and Video Games w/ Jesse Robertson (Preview)

Mar 2, 2025

Dive into the fascinating relationship between the military and video games with Jesse Robertson. Discover how early games like 'Spacewar!' paved the way for military simulations in the 70s. Explore the evolution of gaming culture with insights on the 'Call of Duty' series and its ties to real-world military operations. Learn about key figures like Michael Zyda, who bridged the gap between the Pentagon and game developers, and unravel the implications of these connections on national security and culture.

05:24

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Quick takeaways

The podcast traces the military's influence on video games from early simulations like Spacewar! to modern titles like Call of Duty.

It discusses the military's strategic shift post-Vietnam War towards advanced simulation technologies for improved training and operational effectiveness.

Deep dives

Historical Ties Between Video Games and the Military

The podcast discusses the deep-rooted connections between the video game industry and the military, tracing its origins to early examples like the 1962 game Space War. This game was developed in a computational research lab at MIT and demonstrated how military interests have influenced video game simulations from the very beginning. The conversation highlights that military training methods, including devices like link trainers in the 1930s and 40s, were designed to simulate experiences for both military and entertainment purposes. By exploring these historical ties, the podcast reveals how video games have long served as tools for military training and engagement.

Exploring the Military's Influence on Video Game Culture

2min

The Intersection of Military History and Video Games

4min

Jesse Robertson, writer and doctoral student in history at Harvard University, sits down with Danny to talk about the history of video games and their connection with the Pentagon. They explore the history going back to 1962’s Spacewar!, the army’s turn toward creating simulations in the 1970s and SIMNET, the neoliberal turn of more private companies developing military gaming, the Doom series, figures like Michael Zyda leading the connection between the Pentagon and the digital entertainment sector, the Call of Duty series, and more.

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Read Jesse’s piece for The Nation, “Call of Duty: Pentagon Ops”.

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