RANDOM VIDEO GAME NEWS

[Amentep]

I'm not saying that there was a legitimate claim in this case; loads of organizations will send cease-and-desist notices over marks that wouldn't really be actionable if it went to court.  I'm just saying that if the site was asked to remove it with reference to Geneva Convention, it was probably someone sabre-rattling over Provision III of the Geneva Convention (or something from the 1977 update, but the wording on Prov III seemed the most likely culprit).

[Fenixp]

That would be against the 1st amendment, at least in the US.

Regardless, it's a valid issue - Red Cross symbols must carry a very specific meaning. When a soldier sees this emblem through sights of his gun, his subconscious thought must be "Red Cross, that's not a target I'm allowed to attack" as opposed to "Oh it's filled with medpacks, must shoot it before enemy can pick them all up! They could even get Berserk and everything!"

 

Nonetheless, the way Red Cross addresses this issue is ... Extremely questionable. First of all, I'm pretty sure ambulances should actually carry it to not be a target in general (right?), so an ambulance carrying it in a videogame should be the correct fictional depiction of reality, as opposed to medkits carrying it since medkits should not. Furthermore, it seems they just target media and products at random, without any effort put into getting the word out to prevent such occurrences in the future. It's bizarre

[Darkpriest]

Guys at firaxis were just showcasing the LW2 mod, still live https://www.twitch.tv/firaxisgames

[Agiel]

Project Louisiana teased by Obsidian.

 

Many have bet that it's Pillars of Eternity 2. It would seem to imply Edér as a returning character or even a central figure (his portrait has a stalk of wheat hanging from his mouth, and he smokes a pipe).

[sorophx]

and I was hoping it was a LOTR RPG

[Zoraptor]

 

Additionally, wording of the takedown notice doesn't mention trademark protection (or does it? I've not noticed that), it mentions an international treaty. Or am I misunderstandig this entirely?

 

 

The international treaty may be a Trademark treaty rather than the GC, since the ICRC is head quartered in Geneva they'd use international agreements of trademarks if TM protection was their aim outside Switzerland.

 

The Geneva Convention provisions tend to have specific applications such as big P Perfidy, they're about as non trivial as it's possible to get and their infraction is a literal war crime. They won't be used to target videogames which are completely at the other end of the triviality scale. Targeting unauthorised use of trademarks or copyright material is very common though, similar to how you have 'Vintar' rather than Vintorez rifles in Stalker or Infernus rather than Diablo (double jeopardy there) cars in GTA because if you didn't you'd get a removal or licensing demand

 

Solution is easy enough anyway, just use the Rod of Asclepius/ Caduceus instead.

[Lexx]

Project Louisiana teased by Obsidian.

 

Many have bet that it's Pillars of Eternity 2. It would seem to imply Edér as a returning character or even a central figure (his portrait has a stalk of wheat hanging from his mouth, and he smokes a pipe).

 

Meh, if it's some fantasy game again, I am out.

[Malcador]

Yeah I will pass as well.

[Mamoulian War]

In a world where like two western companies are still doing RPGs, it would seem to be irrational to pass out on any game, just because the setting does not 100% fit my taste. *shrugs*

 

What else to play? Either fantasy RPG or just another open world cover shooter...

[Gfted1]

Unfortunately, for me, the PoE ruleset is an impenetrable tangle of misery that my brain refuses to wrap around. PoE2 will have to be a pass for me too.

 

But Ill keep a candle lit for a new D&D 2E game.

[Lexx]

A real wild west RPG, now that would be something I'd be really all over about. Now I am not talking about games like Red Dead... imagine Fallout or Arcanum as a true wild west experience. Something where you arent necessarily a generic genre gunslinger, but maybe a doctor or slave or whatever character. So far someone has yet to create that.

Edited January 19, 2017 by Lexx

[Keyrock]

Count me in among the pass on Pillars 2 crowd.

[Fenixp]

I'm willing to pledge as much as 40 bucks to get the reward tier that'll grant you a book with more lore. NEED MORE LORE!

 

Solution is easy enough anyway, just use the Rod of Asclepius/ Caduceus instead.

I'm mostly interested in how does all of this apply to uses in real situations portrayed in fiction - so red crosses are on medical tents in Battlefield 1. That'd be an accurate historical portrayal, right? And how about ambulances in games, like Prison Architect? Does Red Cross belong on an ambulance? Edited January 19, 2017 by Fenixp

[Wrath of Dagon]

I remember there was a cathedral that objected to being pictured in a game. All this is utter BS, but lawyers tend to intimidate people.

 

I'm actually starting to warm up to POE. I don't know that I'm ready for POE2 yet though, may be in a couple of years.

[Labadal]

I'm going to pledge to PoE 2, but nowhere near $1000, like I did the first game.

[sorophx]

$1000

my heart almost stopped as I saw this. you must REALLY like Obsidian RPGs, my hat's off to you, sir 

[Wrath of Dagon]

I guess I'd pledge even though I'd rather have something like Alpha Protocol or New Vegas, Obsidian needs help.

[ShadySands]

Well, if it's Fig this time you can invest instead of just back it

[Fenixp]

my heart almost stopped as I saw this. you must REALLY like Obsidian RPGs, my hat's off to you, sir

I wouldn't give him my hat, he'll just pledge it somewhere

[Azdeus]

Count me in among the pass on Pillars 2 crowd.

 

Same here, would love something more modern though.

[Zoraptor]

 

Solution is easy enough anyway, just use the Rod of Asclepius/ Caduceus instead.

I'm mostly interested in how does all of this apply to uses in real situations portrayed in fiction - so red crosses are on medical tents in Battlefield 1. That'd be an accurate historical portrayal, right? And how about ambulances in games, like Prison Architect? Does Red Cross belong on an ambulance?

 

 

As others have said it's probably not enforceable in the sense that they'd have a slam dunk win in court, it justs costs money to defend against and would potentially be very bad PR ('violent game maker drags honourable humanitarians through court!!!') as well. On the two examples given I'd say they'd have no chance vs BF1 since it is an accurate historical depiction, but they might have a case against PA since the Red Cross is licensed for use on ambulances via countries' services, ie there's a US Red Cross organisation, a New Zealand Red Cross, an Egyptian Red Crescent etc so they could claim that licensing would be required for non historical usage. PA may also have some issues specifically because the RC tends to have problems with executions.

[Labadal]

 

$1000

my heart almost stopped as I saw this. you must REALLY like Obsidian RPGs, my hat's off to you, sir 

 

I sort of did. They have made KOTOR 2, NWN2+ Expansions, FN:V and AP. Some of my favorite rpgs. Then they had people that worked on other games that I really like. An isometric rpg from these guys was a dream for me. Then, there was the possibility of adding your own NPC, but we know how that went.

 

I'm still a sucker and will probably give them $100.

[Malcador]

Yep, you're a sucker I gave near 300 and feel ripped off

[redneckdevil]

I didn't give that much but don't regret it at all I didn't even really like crpgs and really it was the quality of fonv that I pledged at all.

[Darkpriest]

LONG WAR 2 is out for XCOM 2 - rejoice !!!

 

 

Damn, even the first mission got HEAVILY converted.