Play video games? Red Cross says you might be committing war crimes

See, this is why I ask the opposite question: give me examples of relevant war-focused games that *don't* follow the Geneva Conventions and the LOAC. Then, if someone can provide a decent list of titles that isn't filled with obvious cruft like Mario, we'll be able to judge whether its even an issue in the loosest sense.

They don't necessarily have to 'force'' developers to do this. They can influence it by telling them it would be a good idea.

Also the Red Cross and video games are international. Which I think means that the American Constitution don't have to apply unless it's American based. However, I'm sure there is some sort of free speech law that protects both. But don't quote me on this

THIS thread IS confusing ME+.

Even If American developers didn't have to follow it, they would so they could still sell it abroad.

I accounted for their revised claims in my editorial's update.

In any event, I consider it interesting that they said it to begin with. Because if you look at the actual bulletin, it certainly sounds like "taking action" against virtual war crimes was on their agenda. To quote from the bulletin:

It sounds to me like there's a bit of covering-your-ass going on.

edited 11th Dec '11 3:45:16 PM by Roland

Of course he can make that claim, because it's been outed that the Red Cross never made the statement to begin with.

All that says is that they're not planning on making it illegal to violate these laws in games. Which even the first article didn't claim. It says that they are interested in working with game companies. Whether or not they actually gathered data is left unaddressed entirely.

Basically, a large portion of this thread and the general internet reaction has been addressing a strawman, which they dismissed. However, there's still a real point that was hidden behind the strawman and all the reasonable people have been discussing that real point since the very beginning. So what you're linking is completely irrelevant to what I'm talking about, as well as some others. Perhaps you should have actually read it.

edited 11th Dec '11 9:24:21 PM by Clarste

They didn't even say anything about game companies, just war-simulation companies that help train soldiers.

"Interested in working with video game makers... because some of these companies make training simulators."

That's what it says. I plan on taking it at face value.

It doesn't even say that, though.

"The International Committee of the Red Cross says media reports that it is investigating whether the Geneva Conventions apply to video games are false."

face value is about sims. for the army, not video games.

Some of the video game making companies they're interested in working with make simulators. Some, not all.

Geneva Conventions are international law, so discussing their applicability to games is the same as discussing the legality of said games.

edited 11th Dec '11 10:22:07 PM by Clarste