The US Army has announced that it will be investing $50 million USD in videogames by 2010 as it launches new game training centres across the US. The money will be spent to train soldiers in new, virtual environments.

"The Army takes this seriously," said Lt. Col. Gary Stephens, of the Project Executive Office in a comment to Stars and Stripes (Via Kotaku). "We own gaming for the Army — from requirements through procurement."

The Army will be establishing 70 new games training centers across the US, Germany, Italy and South Korea by September 2009, with each centre having 52 computers and assorted peripherals such as steering wheels and headsets.

Using the new dedicated technology, which will not be made available publicly, participating soldiers will be able to drive vehicles, fire virtual weapons and command unmanned vehicles in a massive virtual battlefield, promised Project Director Leslie Duvow.

The game will apparently seek to replicate typical battlefield situations, from urban warfare to convoy escort and ambush response.

As well as using the new software and installations, the military has a currently undisclosed budget to purchase or develop a successor to the current technology and has promised to keep a close eye on current gaming trends to help predict how this money should be spent.

Does anyone else get the feeling that the US Military is basically getting payed to do a huge Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 LAN event? Let us know in the forums.