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Multi-purpose Arcade Combat Simulator

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Multi-purpose Arcade Combat Simulator
TypeTraining simulator
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerUS Army Research Institute
Designed1982
ManufacturerSculptured Software (MACS)
US Army Training Support Center's Fielded Devices Division (MACS 2000)
VariantsSee Variants
US Army Reserve soldiers training with MACS 2000 at Fort Buchanan

The Multi-purpose Arcade Combat Simulator (MACS), sometimes known as the Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator,[1] is an American marksmanship training simulator for the M16 rifle. It was created in the 1980s by the US Army Research Institute (ARI; now DEVCOM ARL) and continuously revised as arcade technology improved.

History

Development of the MACS began in 1982.[2] Early versions ran on the Apple II Plus microcomputer and supported the M16A1 and M72A2 LAW.[3] The light pen technology available at the time was not accurate enough at the distances needed by MACS, so new lensed light pens were developed for the purpose.[3] At the time of development, weapons that were being considered included the M203 grenade launcher, M60 machine gun, the M47 Dragon, the TOW, the M1911A1, the M249 SAW, M202A1 FLASH and the Browning M2HB.[4] Only the M16A1, the LAW and the M203 were considered for further research into implementing MACS.[5]

Litton Industries engineers ported MACS to the Commodore 64 in c. 1986.[6] The program was patented in 1986.[7]

MACS on an SNES console

In 1991, ARI investigated the capabilities of the new Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and commissioned Sculptured Software to reimplement MACS on it;[8] Nintendo denies any involvement.[9] The switch provided better graphics at lower cost.[8] Though MACS remained an effective marksmanship trainer, the obvious Nintendo console and graphics gave it the appearance of a video game. Soldiers referred to it as such,[9] and used MACS for recreation in addition to training. SNES cartridges for MACS have been sold to video game collectors for high prices.[10]

The next version developed was MACS 2000,[11] developed by the US Army Training Support Center's Fielded Devices Division.[12]

Older MACS versions still see some continuing use.[13][14]

Development

Development of MACS was done to provide low-cost simulators for part-time training.[4] MACS would be used in US military training program and by various ROTC units.[15]

It consists of a microcomputer, a light pen attached to any demilitarized weapon, and a color video monitor.[4] It also includes a training manual.[16]

Program

MACS consisted of three programs:[17]

  • MACS Multipurpose Arcade Simulator version 1.1e
  • MACS Moving Target Simulator
  • MACS Basic Rifle Marksmanship Program Version 1994.

Rifles

MACS used M16-based rifles that served as the light gun,[18] but they were not seen with the SNES as it is meant to be used with the MACS program.[19]

A replica of the Jäger AP-74 was used as the basis of the MACS light gun.[20] In other instances, there were instances of demilitarized Jäger AP-74s, Model Gun Corporation (MGC) M16s model guns, demilitarized Colt M16A1s and rubber M16s used as MACS light guns.[18]

Variants

MACS

The basic version.

MACS 2000

An improved version of MACS.

See also

References

  1. ^ Perkins, Mary N.; Selby, R. Dale; Broom, John M.; Osborne, Alan S. (June 1985). Preliminary Evaluation of the Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator (MACS) for the M16, M203, AND M72A2 (PDF) (Report). U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. p. iii. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  2. ^ Evans, Kenneth; Dyer, Jean; Hagman, Joseph (October 2000). ARI Special Report 44 (PDF). Shooting Straight (Report). U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. p. 15. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Schroeder, James (April 1984). A Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator (MACS) (PDF) (Report). U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Perkins, Mary N.; Selby, R. Dale; Broom, John M.; Osborne, Alan S. (June 1985). Preliminary Evaluation of the Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator (MACS) for the M16, M203, AND M72A2 (PDF) (Report). U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. p. 1. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  5. ^ Evans, Kenneth L.; Osborne, Alan S. A Study of Effectiveness of Infantry Systems: Training Effectiveness Analysis, Costa and Training Effectiveness Analysis, and Human Factors in Systems Development and Fielding (PDF) (Report). U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. p. 10.
  6. ^ Hunt, Jon; Broom, John; Greene, William; Crawford, John; Martere, Ronald; Parish, James (June 1987). Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator (MACS): Year Two Report (PDF) (Report). U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  7. ^ Purvis, Jamie W.; Wiley, Ellen W. (November 1989). "Trainer's Guide: Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator (MACS) Basic Rifle Marksmanship (M16 Rifle)" (PDF). U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. p. v. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  8. ^ a b Osborne, Art; Smith, Seward (July 1992). Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator Development to Improve Soldier Shooting Skills With the M16A3 Rifle (PDF) (Report). U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. p. 2. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Grossman, Dave; Christensen, Loren (2022). "Autopilot: "You Honestly Don't Know You're Doing it"". On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and Peace. Open Road Media. ISBN 9781504077439.
  10. ^ LaGioia, Stephen (January 5, 2023). "18 Rarest SNES Games (And Why They're So Rare)". GameRant. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  11. ^ "Notes from the Regional Support Groups" (PDF). 1st MSC Gazette. Vol. 1, no. 1. Buchanan, Puerto Rico: 1st Mission Support Command. Spring 2011. p. 9. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  12. ^ Evans, Kenneth; Dyer, Jean; Hagman, Joseph (October 2000). ARI Special Report 44 (PDF). Shooting Straight (Report). U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. p. 17. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  13. ^ Heil, John (February 2009). "MACS prepares Medical Warriors" (PDF). 332nd Warrior Call. Vol. 2, no. 5. Nashville, TN: 332nd Medical Brigade. pp. 1, 9. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  14. ^ Wood, Nicholas (July 2006). "Soldiers use video game technology to maintain combat readiness" (PDF). Oregon Sentinel. Vol. 4, no. 3. Salem, OR: Oregon National Guard. p. 12. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  15. ^ Evans, Kenneth; Dyer, Jean; Hagman, Joseph (October 2000). ARI Special Report 44 (PDF). Shooting Straight (Report). U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. p. 16. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  16. ^ Major John Heil. "MACS prepares Medical Warriors" (PDF). 332nd Medical Brigade public affairs. p. 1.
  17. ^ Nicholas C (2018-03-09). "US Army's SNES M.A.C.S Rifle Training Program". Firearms Blog.
  18. ^ a b Nicholas C (2020-10-13). "M.A.C.S Rifles – SNES Laser M16s". Firearms Blog.
  19. ^ Blake Stilwell (2020-10-20). "6 military video games used to train troops on the battlefield". We Are The Mighty.
  20. ^ Evan G. (2009-05-24). "Multi-Purpose Arcade Combat Simulator (M.A.C.S.)". Snes Central.
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