Apple Removes All American Civil War Games - Because of the Confederate Flag

[Jim K Global Moderator]

If you've been watching the news recently, you'll know of the huge debate in the U.S over the role of the Confederate flag in contemporary America. Many see it as a reminder of the many pre-Civil War injustices while others see it simply as a way to honor the soldiers who died for the Confederacy. Many large US companies, like Walmart and Amazon, have already banned the sale of any Confederate flag merchandise as a reaction to the recent events. Now, it appears that Apple has decided to join them by pulling many Civil War wargames from the App Store. As of the writing of this story, games like Ultimate General: Gettysburg and all the Hunted Cow Civil War games are nowhere to be found. Apple is famous for reaching for the axe rather than the scalpel when it comes to political issues (like rejecting Hunted Cow's Tank Battle 1942 for depicting Germans and Russians as enemies), so this move doesn't come as a great surprise.  /snip

 

http://toucharcade.com/2015/06/25/apple-removes-confederate-flag/

 

OK, while I've already made it known my feelings regarding this flag in another thread (summary: I do not like it) ... however people/companies are now seriously overreacting (not just Apple).  What is next...removing WW2 games because of the Swastika?

 

Just remove the dang flag from government/state grounds and be done with it.  The Civil War was a true historical event, so a game recounting that has nothing to do with anything happening today.

[Dashel]

This progressive hysteria over the flag is reaching crazy levels.  Like trying to play Wolfenstein in Germany stupid.

[Doli]

Are historical books and movies next on iTunes?

[MDboyz]

Did South Africa change their flag after they stopped slavery?  If they still use the same flag, should we remove their flag as well? ...

 

This thing just becomes stupid.

[DConnell Member]

<EPIC FACEPALM>

[Jim K Global Moderator]

The Game-Labs Team (makers of Ultimate General: Gettysburg) response.  Spot on.

 

As you may have been already informed (Read Facebook link), Apple has removed our game from AppStore because of usage of the Confederate Flag. Ultimate General: Gettysburg could be accepted back if the flag is removed from the game's content.

 

We accept Apple's decision and understand that this is a sensitive issue for the American Nation. We wanted our game to be the most accurate, historical, playable reference of the Battle of Gettysburg. All historical commanders, unit composition and weaponry, key geographical locations to the smallest streams or farms are recreated in our game's battlefield.

 

We receive a lot of letters of gratitude from American teachers who use our game in history curriculum to let kids experience one of the most important battles in American history from the Commander's perspective.

   

Spielberg

[+JHBrown Subscriber¹]

Good move by Apple. We need these powerhouse's to make a stand on controversial issues like this. This stupid flag should have been removed from our culture long ago, and like Obama said, the history of the flag belongs in a museum. There is a bigger issue here, and it is not as trivial as it seems.

[trag3dy]

Good move by Apple. We need these powerhouse's to make a stand against controversial issues like this. This stupid flag should have been removed from our culture long ago, and like Obama said, the history of the flag belongs in a museum. There is a bigger issue here, and it is not as trivial as it seems.

 

Why should the flag be removed from games that are depicting the Civil War? That doesn't even make any sense.

 

I can understand, to some degree removing the flags being flown over public/government buildings. But games, especially games depicting historical events? This is just taking the political correctness too far.

 

And what's more is that sets a dangerous precedent of censorship. It starts with the flag. What's next?

[HawkMan]

This stupid flag should have been removed from our culture long ago, and like Obama said, the history of the flag belongs in a museum. There is a bigger issue here, and it is not as trivial as it seems.

 

so... it should be in a museum, but historical games should what ? pixellate it? put a black sensor over it ?

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Good move by Apple. We need these powerhouse's to make a stand against controversial issues like this. This stupid flag should have been removed from our culture long ago, and like Obama said, the history of the flag belongs in a museum. There is a bigger issue here, and it is not as trivial as it seems.

The thing is that the original issue was to do with the flag being flown in modern times. As Games-Labs wrote in their letter above, their inclusion of the confederate flag is for historical accuracy, it's not making a political point. And as jjkusaf points out, should they remove the swastika from video games set in WW2?

This is an over reaction, verging on an attempt to change history to make things sound better rather than learning from what was done.

[DConnell Member]

Did South Africa change their flag after they stopped slavery?  If they still use the same flag, should we remove their flag as well? ...

 

This thing just becomes stupid.

 

This is an incredibly stupid move on Apple's part. While the Confederate flag has no business flying over government buildings, and is in - at best - poor taste when used today, both for its potential racist connotations and its history as a symbol of rebellion, it is a part of our history and should be recognized as such. This means using it when needed for historical accuracy - in history books and lessons, in historical movies and shows, and yes, in history-based games.

 

To sweep those uses under the rug because they are "uncomfortable" opens the potential to forget WHY that is the case.To remove the symbol from contexts in which people could learn from it minimizes both the symbol itself and the potential lesson.

 

In order to learn from history, we need to be aware of both the good and bad.  It shouldn't be whitewashed. The uncomfortable aspects - the mistakes - MUST remain uncomfortable for us to grow beyond the causes of those mistakes.

[+JHBrown Subscriber¹]

The thing is that the original issue was to do with the flag being flown in modern times. As Games-Labs wrote in their letter above, their inclusion of the confederate flag is for historical accuracy, it's not making a political point. And as jjkusaf points out, should they remove the swastika from video games set in WW2?This is an over reaction, verging on an attempt to change history to make things sound better rather than learning from what was done.

I agree, and believe all symbols that have a history of hate and evil should be removed from society. The case of this flag is only one of many.

[HawkMan]

I know my comment will not be popular on a Tech website, however, this flag is rooted by evil, and I see nothing wrong with a particular company making a stand against it. We all should know a little bit of American History, so I won't dive into the particulars of this flag that have been discussed to death already.

I agree, and believe all symbols that have a history hate and evil should be removed from society. The case of this flag is only one of many.

 

 

So again, what flag should confederate troops in a civil war game fly ?

 

and again, isn't the swastika and even other german symbols used in that era, equally "evil"

[+JHBrown Subscriber¹]

So again, what flag should confederate troops in a civil war game fly ?

 

and again, isn't the swastika and even other german symbols used in that era, equally "evil"

Yes to your questions, and if it offends a large population, they should be removed.

[Art3x]

I agree, and believe all symbols that have a history of hate and evil should be removed from society. The case of this flag is only one of many.

If everything that has a history of hate or evil associated with it was removed, what would we have left....

[DConnell Member]

Good move by Apple. We need these powerhouse's to make a stand on controversial issues like this. This stupid flag should have been removed from our culture long ago, and like Obama said, the history of the flag belongs in a museum. There is a bigger issue here, and it is not as trivial as it seems.

 

The issue in this case is sanitizing our view of history - in this case an historical game - because elements of it are uncomfortable. If we sweep seemingly minor aspects under the rug how long  until the larger but still disturbing elements are hidden for our protection?

 

I know my comment will not be popular on a Tech website, however, this flag is rooted by evil, and I see nothing wrong with a particular company making a stand against it. We all should know a little bit of American History, so I won't dive into the particulars of this flag that have been discussed to death already.

I agree, and believe all symbols that have a history of hate and evil should be removed from society. The case of this flag is only one of many.

 

Thing is, if the flag is removed from historical recreations, how long until we start trying to hide what it meant as well? It's the racism that is evil, and the slavery that once existed. The flag, while symbolic of that evil, isn't evil in itself, and can be put to a good purpose by being used in education and in media that honestly deals with the time period in which it was used.

[G.i.b.b.s]

In other news: Movement to remove Declaration of Independence and Constitution from display in government buildings across the nation because (trigger warning) it contains microaggressions from being signed by slave owner, founding father, and former president of the united states Thomas Jefferson. 

[+JHBrown Subscriber¹]

If everything that has a history of hate or evil associated with it was removed, what would we have left....

Only if it offends a large population of people. If African Americans didn't care, so be it. Just a little empathy for all people.

[DConnell Member]

Yes to your questions, and if it offends a large population, they should be removed.

 

So it's ok to depict the evil that the symbol is associated with, but the symbol itself should be forbidden? That makes no sense to me. If you're going to depict the Civil War, or the Nazis, or any element of history like that, it should be truthful. That includes the symbols.

 

Why is showing a symbol of evil worse than the depiction of said evil itself?

[+JHBrown Subscriber¹]

Guys, this is only my personal opinion, as I have black colleagues and friends that have had grandparents and great grandparents hurt or killed (hanged) over this stupid flag. Yes the flag has a different history to it, however, it is dominated by its other dark history. Just get rid of it!

[PsYcHoKiLLa]

Did South Africa change their flag after they stopped slavery?  If they still use the same flag, should we remove their flag as well? ...

 

This thing just becomes stupid.

 

Slavery? Did you mean Apartheid? I don't think South Africa had anymore slavery than any other country.

 

Also, as a comparison, Germany lost WWII, I don't think you'd find many Germans wanting to fly a swastika. That flag stood for a backward agenda also (Yes I know it was originally a buddhist and Hinduist emblem)

[DConnell Member]

Only if it offends a large population of people. If African Americans didn't care, so be it. Just a little empathy for all people.

 

Actually, I'd call that a reason to NOT remove the symbol from historical representations. We should all be offended by slavery, the Nazi concept of Aryan perfection, etc. Being offended by atrocities isn't a bad thing - it may help prevent future evil.

 

Modern everyday use of the Confederate flag, definitely in poor taste at best, and should be stopped. But in an historical setting or account or game, I think its acceptable.

[HawkMan]

Yes to your questions, and if it offends a large population, they should be removed.

 

ummm they where not yes or no questions.

[DConnell Member]

Guys, this is only my personal opinion, as I have black colleagues and friends that have had grandparents and great grandparents hurt or killed (hanged) over this stupid flag. Yes the flag has a different history to it, however, it is dominated by its other dark history. Just get rid of it!

 

In modern everyday use, I agree. But in historical media it needs to be retained.

[HawkMan]

If everything that has a history of hate or evil associated with it was removed, what would we have left....

 

 

Repeats of old history.