Anti-recruitment groups are slamming a U.S. Army deal to sponsor a computer war game channel, saying that real war is no game, reports Australian IT.

In June, the Army is set to sponsor a channel at the Global Gaming League website, a popular spot for internet computer game lovers. A first-person shooter game based on the army training manual will be a centerpiece of the channel, which will feature other games in the same genre.

Oskar Castro of the "admittedly anti-war" American Friends Service Committee said it is wrong for military recruiters to use technology and pop culture to entice young people to enlist without showing them the ugly sides of service.

Play at the channel will be free, but agreeing to "additional contact from the Army" comes with signing up as a player. The Army's investment, estimated at $2.4 million, is aimed at finding potential soldiers among gamers in the cherished recruiting age range of 17 to 24.