| real life references controversy[message #127488]
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Sun, 05 November 2006 00:17 
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| the scorpion |
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Messages:1834
Registered:September 2004
Location: CH |
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i'm interested to get some feedback about how controversial/ problematic it would be to use real life names of cities/ countries/ ozeans 
company logos can be found in the maps as well
they've been there in the mod for a long time but i've been informed it could be problematic to have them in the final release, as certain ethnicities or nationalities could feel offended.
while the country and its leaders portrayed is completely fictional, it would be composed of real existing cities and ethnic groups (which aren't portrayed as such though)
neither are ethnic/ religious groups portrayed as "good or bad"
i'd like to hear opinions, and even more so, like to hear arguments against or in favour.
during testing, it may become more apparent what's wrong/ controversial but general thoughts without reading/ hearing actual examples can be discussed now already.
:smallman:
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Sergeant Major
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| Re: real life references controversy[message #127496]
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Mon, 06 November 2006 01:37 
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| the scorpion |
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Messages:1834
Registered:September 2004
Location: CH |
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the point is i'm personally responsible for much of the content and i don't want to display any ignorance apart of the things that are meant to support the game design and the story/ setting
some things i'm deliberately making fun of, other things might be perceived in a manner in which i never intended them to be understood, and i would like, if anybody spots such things, to report it (during testing) so that it gets thought through and, if necessary, taken care of
i personally find it necessary that my mod that plays in the caucasus area has at least some cyrillic letters in the map. i didn't replace everything, just a bit. this also includes a common company's logo, which won't really hurt anybody. City names: i think i will just have to skip the cities that have special notions about themselves and use cities that are not so problematic.
it is hard in a game (even more so in a mod) to not cross the line between funny stereotypes/ satire to anything that could be taken as a real offense.
i think we'll be able to further discuss that issue once people see a bigger part of the picture. I think the initial criticism was meant more in a way of "it would be unwise to go into that direction of using real life politics in a serious way for the mod"
i'm really trying to pay attention to the multi-national community here and not aiming for a black and white scenario of good guys versus bad guys while the bad guys belong to a special religion or ethnictiy. the bad guys background is rather undefined and kept as anonymous as in vanilla ja2.
for instance, you will be able to hire the first Moslem ever in the history of ja2, but only if you figure a not so obvious quest.
You can also hire a Jew (whose lines, being somewhat stereotypical, have been revised/looked at by jews so nobody getting this as antisemitic i hope)
in the final release, these two characters might be mutually exclusive as they'd quarrel with each other all the time. It will be important that these characters are designed in a way that people still can see the humor in it. If their hostility would be taken serious, then that would mean that i have crossed the thin line...
these are things that are now unclear on how the average gamer will perceive them. I don't want people to quit playing the mod because of their reluctance to see/ hear things they disapprove of in a political or religious manner. and whatever details that will be, we will have to see.
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Sergeant Major
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| Re: real life references controversy[message #127497]
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Mon, 06 November 2006 03:30
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 shed23 |
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Messages:129
Registered:October 2004
Location: U.K. |
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In my honest opinion, which will not be shared by all, I find the very thought of 'political/religious correctness' irrelevant. If a person(s) politics or faith is not strong enough to withstand any form of 'percieved' attack, or even see it for what it is (lighthearted/story related etc..) then they have no faith or politics. But that is my opinion, for what it is worth. After all, it is only a game!
Remember, 'You can please most of the people most of the time, but not all of the people all of the time'.
So long as any relation to 'real life' is done in a non-threatening way, then fine, it reduces the possible number who may get upset.
From what I can gather, the vast majority of people on this forum are very sensible, therefore, what makes you ask such questions? I cannot see that you, or any of your team, would knowingly add something very controversial in the first place. However, I appreciate why you ask, and kudos for doing so.
The company logo use could be seen as a bit of free advertising, cannot see a problem there!
Hmmmmm! A Jew and a Moslem. This has potential to be 'touchy'. I certainly would not be too concerned though, for as you say, they will not get along together anyway. Has potential for some comical situations though!
Please bear in mind that I have a very cynical/twisted outlook on life (brought about by life itself) and I cannot see what, in the game world, would upset me, let alone others.
Carry on as you are and best of luck.
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Sergeant
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| Re: real life references controversy[message #127508]
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Sun, 17 December 2006 01:44
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| the scorpion |
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Messages:1834
Registered:September 2004
Location: CH |
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the oil company referneces are marginal
the logos are only scenery so they aren't controversial at all.
what is controversial is the idea to use real existing cities which should be conquered. That might be problematic. On the other hand it would be idiotic to use fantasy names if the story gives a clear indication of where we are
plus fantasy names that give hints to the real cities would suck as well
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Sergeant Major
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