Red Cross or Swiss Tent?

[africatom]

Is it not possible to change the "swiss tents" into the realistic Red Cross tents?

[Stratos]

No, is illegal to represent in videogames the actual red cross.

[Badger1-1]

Damn I just checked and hes right, never knew that.

[Czar66]

On 5/1/2024 at 4:38 PM, Stratos said:

No, is illegal to represent in videogames the actual red cross.

I had no idea.
Many games had it represented pre 2017. Something around that year changed from the red cross asking to not put it in games because of the symbol message of safety and humanity and people can expect help and protection.

Info based on this article that I don't know if it is 100% accurate.
https://www.pcworld.com/article/1989513/did-you-know-that-this-symbol-is-forbidden-in-video-games.html

Games prior had it represented including famous games such as Battlefield 2 with the medic health pack bag that it could be thrown in the ground to heal teamates and themselves, and Left 4 Dead 2 with the same kind of health bag mechanic but it couldn't be thrown.

[Dragon1-1]

I think in 2017 there might have been some case when they started enforcing the rule, or clarified that it applied to games. That said, ArmA3 switched to Red Crystal before that. I'm not sure if that one is protected (it kind of makes more sense anyway, since it's more universal).

IMO, they should update the rules so that historical depictions are not disallowed. HP pickups don't need to be marked like that, but WWII era medical tents did very much have the symbol on them, quite prominently so that the other side hopefully won't bomb them.

[Kang]

Point is that the International Red Cross is, in the end, a company that will sure you if you use their logo.

[silverdevil]

also note that the tents show a white cross in a red field. international red cross is the opposite. many military combat medics use the red cross in a white field. unfortunately it also make them a target. the tents are likely trying to denote a first aid tent.

[draconus]

On 5/4/2024 at 5:49 PM, Dragon1-1 said:

IMO, they should update the rules so that historical depictions are not disallowed.

I agree. It doesn't make sense to remove red cross or swastika when all you want is to recreate historical events. It's enough some objects are indestructible.

Imagine DCS being forced to remove all the real air forces roundels.

Edited May 15, 2024 by draconus

[jaylw314]

7 hours ago, draconus said:

I agree. It doesn't make sense to remove red cross or swastika when all you want is to recreate historical events. It's enough some objects are indestructible.

Imagine DCS being forced to remove all the real air forces roundels.

 

I kind of get it for archetypal symbols, though, the kind that are intended to communicate something to everyone, no matter the language or culture.  Once people starting seeing it elsewhere in the wrong context, it can culturally dilute out its meaning.  Kind of like having a kids' game where you have to eat stuff with biohazard symbols on it, so the air force roundels wouldn't really be a good example.

I know that may sound like an excessive Health & Safety take, but that's kind of what I do for a living

[79Au]

"The content of this videogame is purely fictional, is not intended to represent or depict any actual event, person or entity, and any such similarities are purely coincidental"

Bunch of insane neurotic pricks

[Dragon1-1]

On 5/18/2024 at 11:52 PM, 79Au said:

Bunch of insane neurotic pricks

They're called "lawyers" for short.