The U.S. Army today announced that America’s Army: Proving Grounds (AA:PG), the next version of its official Army game, is now available in open beta for download on Steam. Players can register their Soldier name for the game at the America’s Army: Proving Ground website and then jump into the Army action.

"We took a back to basics approach that highlights a move, shoot, communicate system within a fun gaming experience that echoes teamwork-based Army training," said Marsha Berry, Project Manager for America’s Army. "Just like in the Army, America’s Army: Proving Grounds focuses on creating elite, well trained Soldiers that will complete the missions as a fine-tuned team beginning with smaller, focused exercises and advancing up to larger, more complex exercises."

Bringing the best features of the previous versions to a new America’s Army environment, AA: PG stresses small unit tactical maneuvers and training that reflects the current day Army. America’s Army: Proving Grounds (AA: PG) showcases the Army by emphasizing Army Values, teamwork, training and completing the objectives through gameplay that reflects the Soldier’s Creed.

Set in a fictional country, The Republic of the Ostregals, players are in the role of an 11B Infantryman practicing combat maneuvers at JTC Griffin, a fabricated training MOUT (military operations on urban terrain) environment created by Conex modular containers and found materials. This training is crucial to the player’s success as part of a Long Range Combined Arms ‘ Recon (LRCA-R) unit, a full spectrum capable team that embarks on special operations missions behind enemy lines.