The first aid kits They are as basic an element in video games as jumping and shooting. They have been there since the dawn of creation and have been a source of joy for many players. However, haven't you noticed that you see each other less and less? I am referring to life kits as such, similar to those seen in DOOM either Left 4 Dead. Well, in part he has a very good reason based on laws.
Video games have been changing their life systems: from white crosses on green packages to small injectables. And part of the reason lies in the Geneva Convention and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Surely right now you don't even know where to look. I explain it to you with the example of a real case!
The developers of Prison Architect, Introversion Software, they had a run-in with the British Red Cross for violating the Geneva Convention by introducing red crosses on various vehicles and other places in the video game. The PCGamer media told the story and showed some fragments of the email they received:
Those responsible may not be aware that the use of the red cross emblem is restricted by the Geneva Conventions for the Protection of War Victims of August 12, 1949, and that unauthorized use of this sign in the Kingdom United Kingdom is an offense under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957.
Mark Morris and Chris Delay, developers of the game, believed it was a joke, since the red cross symbol has always been the universal symbol of health. In fact, during an interview he noted, “I'm sure there are red crosses on Doom health packs from 20 years ago.” And it is true, but the matter had more substance than they imagined.
Originally, the laws prohibited misuse of the red cross symbol to prevent the armed forces from using it to gain tactical advantage in wars. Many people may be surprised to read this, but in war there are also a series of laws, rules and regulations to follow. It's not a movie thing.
“If the red cross symbol or similar signs are used for other purposes, no matter how beneficial or inconsequential they may seem, the special meaning of the emblem will be diminished,” the Red Cross email to Introversion Software continued. And this includes the commercial purposes.
Although the Geneva Convention, the Red Cross and the laws of many countries protect the red cross symbol (usually on a white background), the reality is that many video games have taken the license to use it… And not necessarily because of evil, but because it really is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of “healing.”
Following the case of Prison Architect (who ended up choosing to change it), many people have debated to what extent it is important that in video games do not use the red cross symbols. The opinions were very different. On the one hand, some people maintained that its use in video games does not harm either the meaning of the symbol or the image of the Red Cross itself. On the other hand, the Geneva Convention and the laws are there for a reason… and there is no other way around it.
Another debate that came to the fore was: is it worth it for the Red Cross spend your money suing to those who use the symbol instead of using it in humanitarian aid? A few years ago, it might have been seen as a futile struggle, but looking at it today… it's certainly not very common to see new video games that use red crosses (usually on a white background) to mark life packs.
The reality of the video game industry is that developers have sought their own methods of symbolizing life. Some developers have inverted the colors (white cross and red background) to keep their medkits similar to the original idea. Others have changed completely: Warzone 2 has syringes, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order green capsules, Hogwarts Legacy opts for green potions… Others like Cyberpunk 2077 invent their own toilets and medical symbols with “Trauma Team”.
So you already know that first aid kits, medkits or health boxes are green with a white cross (among other shapes) because using the red cross symbol is illegal: it violates the Geneva Convention, the original meaning of the image and the laws from some countries like the United Kingdom. You will never go to bed without learning something new!
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