Interview: David Pratt of the Canadian Red Cross


From the letter:


Click here for the full text.



The full interview follows:





Shacknews: Is that what happened this time?





Shacknews: So not just games, then.


Shacknews: And governmental organizations, you said?

















Shacknews: Thanks very much for your time.

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  • Ã¢Â€ÂœThe Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.Ã¢Â€Â

    The emblem of the Red Cross is a symbol used since the inception of, what is arguably the world's most potent, humanitarian movement at the First Geneva Conventions in 1864. What does it mean to "mobilize the power of humanity" over the course of generations?

    Symbols are the containers of meaning in human language. To those who faithfully subscribe to the humanitarian movement's purpose, the movementÃ¢Â€Â™s primary symbol stands for Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality (the seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent). The humanitarian movement is dedicated to providing crucial services to victims of natural disasters, holding governments accountable to the Geneva Conventions, promoting communitiesÃ¢Â€Â™ capacities in addressing local and distant forms of crisis around the world, and much more (as defined by committed members of the humanitarian movement).

    In this light, investing time, energy and funds into protecting the designated meaning of such a symbol is necessary. The meaning of a symbol changes over time as a natural result of the evolution of human communication. If the use of the symbol is not protected, it will come to mean (and has already come to mean) to many people such generic concepts as ambulance mobile, health, band-aids and (most regretably as depicted in video games) armed soldiers killing Ã¢Â€Âœthe enemyÃ¢Â€Â.

    The communication of integrity drives popular movements, and so the misuse (to the point of corruption) of a movementÃ¢Â€Â™s primary symbol destroys the lifeblood of that particular movement.

  • For once I'm rather split on an issue involving our beloved game industry. For one, a simple red cross as many have pointed out seems like a very basic symbol, and while it is protected and not copyrighted, it seems like it would take a very long time to get rid of all the infractions.

    However, that being said, it seems to me the whole purpose of the Geneva Convention's rules on the use of the red cross emblem was to make it easy for those really in combat zones to seek medical aid. Just look for the big red plus and you'll be A-OK.

    Think of an example that was mentioned in the interview: people using the red cross for their computer repair companies. In a theoretical combat zone, someone is wounded and looking for medical attention. They see the red cross and think, "Ah! Medical help!" only to realize it's a computer repair company.

    That being said, games aren't real life. And to sum this all up, I'd say using the caduceus would be acceptable. I know at least in my local area, the caduceus is used in EMS, such as on uniforms and ambulances:



  • The Red Cross really does have a valid point and they do very much have a legal standing. In this case, it is an international one too which really strengthens their claims 100 fold. I think their arguements are very valid as well.

    Now, that said, I think a request asking the symbols to be changed on existing games on the market would be somewhat unreasonable considering how wide spread its usage is. But, requesting that some different symbol be used for future games unless they have the Red Cross' permission seems fair.

    Honestly, I could see ways that this could benefit the Red Cross too. If gaming companies wanted to use the Red Cross symbol in their games, perhaps some sort of agreement could be reached to include a splash screen saying "Support your local Red Cross" or something like that at the start. The Red Cross really is an amazing charitable organization and I certainly would support something like that.

    As odd as the request is, I really don't see anything wrong with it from a legal or conceptual standpoint. I think it is less a matter of importance anyway as most good game designs have been moving away from things like "Health Packs" for the sake of immersion anyway. The only places I could see this really being some sort of an issue would be in historical re-enactment games and the like where you would want to depict red cross medics. But, again, judging from the arguement by the Red Cross, I doubt they would mind that sort of depiction so long as they were given a nod of recognition in the use of their symbol.

    Red Cross is an important organization, and they really are asking this because in times when they are needed they want people to recognize their symbol and know that it is the Red Cross without hesitation because it could save a life.