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Rambo would feel at home in many of the games highlighted at last week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. They feature a solo warrior blasting away on a lonely quest.

However, real soldiers don’t fight that way. And while there are plenty of real heroes, their accomplishments are based on teamwork and training. And that’s the message the “America’s Army” team hopes to deliver in the new version of the U.S. Army-sponsored game.

“America’s Army Real Heroes” rolls out in July and will be free for download. The game and an accompanying Web site will feature the likenesses and voices of soldiers who earned medals for valor in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Two of the heroes are Sgt. Matt Zedwick — who was awarded the Silver Star for action with the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment in Iraq — and Maj. Jason Amerine — who was awarded the Bronze Star with V for Valor for action with Special Forces Group 5 in Afghanistan.

Gamers will be able to meet the heroes in a simulated recruiting center and during training. Gamers can hear their stories and zoom in to see all of their decorations and badges. A click on a ribbon or badge reveals a detailed explanation of what it means and the training, service or actions required to earn it.

“We would like to demystify the pins, the awards and the badges for the public,” executive producer Phillip Bossant said.

Zedwick said this and other aspects of the game are designed to “let everyone know these are ordinary guys out there doing amazing things.”

The core of the online game is still the team-based shooter that has been so popular in other versions. Many elements combine to give the game a sense of realism as squads battle foes in jungles, deserts, cities and forests around the world. Vehicles and weapons behave the way they do in real life — to the degree that the Army is now using some aspects of the game in training. Foes are randomly generated so players never know who or what might be behind a door or around a corner.

However, it’s the teamwork aspect of the game that Zedwick and Amerine want to emphasize.

“We’re getting away from the Rambo thing because that’s not how we accomplish our mission. We work as a team,” said Zedwick, who was honored after rescuing a wounded comrade while under fire and wounded himself in June 2004.

And even though the game is titled “America’s Army Real Heroes,” it’s not about the nine soldiers whose faces appear in the game.

July’s launch will also see the release of a set of action figures based on the real heroes. Amerine will be kneeling and aiming his weapon, and Zedwick will be breaching a door.

But Amerine doesn’t see even this as a representation of himself.

“It isn’t me. It’s my men,” he said.

The game will be available at www.americasarmy.com for download and on disc at recruiting centers.

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