Why Germany's Military is Betting on Gamers
For the past 10 years, the German armed forces - the Bundeswehr - have been represented at Gamescom, Cologne's video game trade fair.
Germany's military is turning to gamers for recruitment efforts, with the Bundeswehr setting up a booth at Gamescom, the world's largest video game trade show. Last year, two-thirds of non-industry attendees were male, with over 40% between the ages of 16 and 25. This demographic aligns with the Bundeswehr's goal of expanding its ranks to 260,000 active-duty soldiers by 2035.
The Bundeswehr, facing a modernization challenge, aims to attract tech-savvy individuals through interactive experiences at Gamescom. Visitors can try hacking, experience naval life in VR, and engage in strength tests with infantry soldiers. The Bundeswehr emphasizes the need for individuals comfortable with technology, despite acknowledging that gaming skills alone do not guarantee suitability for military service.
Critics argue that the Bundeswehr's presence at Gamescom, a primarily gaming-focused event, may misrepresent the seriousness of military service.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
