Nazi iconography in mods - what is forbidden?

[Ghost of Makhno]

Hello all,

First of all, this is a contentious subjects and everyone will have an opinion. I am not seeking opinions, because I do not want to know whether you think it's right or wrong. I want to know only what is permitted and forbidden. Also, I am not seeking to promote Nazi, Communist, nor any other totalitarian ideology. Nor do I consider myself a follower of either.

So here's the deal: I've recently gotten into skin-modding and have enjoyed it. My main interest is historically authentic mods that replicate the look of wartime vehicles (check out my Workshop page if you are interested). In other words, I enjoy making armour and vehicles look as authentic as possible. This is where problems begin..

Of course, we all know that Relic and Steam do not allow swastikas. However, there seems to be some leeway for other Nazi symbolism. For example, there is a number of SS-based mods out there - SS symbols and slogans are forbidden in Germany (and elsewhere) along with the swastika. There are other forbidden symbols that appear elsewhere on occasion. The overall situation is extremely unclear..

Is there an actual list or reference of what is forbidden or allowed that is available anywhere? Is there an official policy of some kind?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

[Surmene]

Far as I know no swatsikas.

[Ghost of Makhno]

Only swastikas? I'm pretty sure that a balkenkreuz would not cause problems - it is still used by the Bundeswehr today. Some of the other insignia is a grey area, as the only rules I've seen state something vague like "no hate symbols"..

[Poison Ivan]

I'm not sure what Relic's stance on it is, but I can assure you that there's skin mods out there that feature extremely noticable swastika's on german armor since day 1, one that comes to mind is the shrecken 666 doctrine skins.

I'd say go for it, I highly doubt anyone playing coh2 will complain about conservatively used nazi symbols & since you aren't commercially exploiting the mod nor being endorsed by Relic anti nazi laws shouldn't really affect your ability to release it on steam, on a side note most countries that have banned swastika's have an excemption for entertainment and educational purposes, the only reason that Germany doesn't allow it in games is because the law is outdated and hasn't been updated (yet) to include modern mediums like gaming.

[=(e)= Lemonater47]

Adding swastika's and SS insignia in games undermines Germany's current democratic rights.

Literally their reasoning behind the law lol.


Mods have got video games banned in the past even if it's not officialy endorsed. Governments don't give a ♥♥♥♥ about that or not. They just ban the game to stop the mod Becuase it's far harder to enforce a ban on a mod than it is on the game. You can region lock games with the push of a button.

But yes currently there are other skin mods with SS and other nazi imagery everywhere lol.

[Ghost of Makhno]

German law actually permits the use of Nazi iconography for entertainment and educational purposes. The trouble is that "glorification of Nazism" is forbidden, so it is still up to the censors to decide whether or not a game or film promotes Nazism.. The same situation exists in certain other European countries.

[Ghost of Makhno]

引用自 =(e)= Lemonater47：

Mods have got video games banned in the past even if it's not officialy endorsed. Governments don't give a ♥♥♥♥ about that or not. They just ban the game to stop the mod Becuase it's far harder to enforce a ban on a mod than it is on the game. You can region lock games with the push of a button.

But yes currently there are other skin mods with SS and other nazi imagery everywhere lol.

Yes, and some of it is not at all historic..

[The Mailman Thinks I Am Gay]

"Mods cannot include imagery that is banned or illegal in various countries (e.g. things such as Nazi imagery are not allowed)."

From relic mod tools guidelines

http://modding.companyofheroes.com/legal:modding-rules

[Ghost of Makhno]

So formally, it is forbidden and it's just a Wild West-type situation out there?

[OutsidR]

I don't think the iron cross symbol is, or am I wrong?

[YCWD]

引用自 OutsidR：

I don't think the iron cross symbol is, or am I wrong?

Because the Iron Cross was the symbol of the Teutonic Knights and has as much to do with Nazism as wearing a sports coat.

*Queue the music*

The more you know!!

As far as the OP goes I have no idea. I think the swastika is the most dangerous. After all even games like Silent Hunter include other WW2 German iconography.

[Ciggy Butt Brain]

So no SS runes?

[Ghost of Makhno]

Since SS was an sub-organisation of the Nazi Party and the SS runes are mentioned by the abovementioned German law, I would say that they would fall foul of the policy.

Also mentioned are the Othala/Odal rune, the Wolfsangel and Totenkopf symbols. Nazi and SS greetings or slogans come under this law too. However, these are sometimes posted..

[Ghost of Makhno]

引用自 Slappin Like Patton JHeartless：

引用自 OutsidR：

I don't think the iron cross symbol is, or am I wrong?

Because the Iron Cross was the symbol of the Teutonic Knights and has as much to do with Nazism as wearing a sports coat.

The Iron Cross ('Eisenkreuz") is a military decoration. The symbol used by the German armed forces - to the present day - is called "Balkenkreuz" (literally "bar-cross"). It is not forbidden by German law or any other law as far as I know..

[Dumais]

These are the only 3 prohibited Nazi insignias in Germany.

The Swastika https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_symbolism#/media/File:Flag_of_German_Reich_(1935%E2%80%931945).svg

SS Sig Runes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_symbolism#/media/File:Flag_Schutzstaffel.svg

Totenkopf (the Death's Head)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totenkopf)

[Rage674]

Remember kids, dropping nukes on civilians is okay - but flags and insignias of historical time periods is dangerous.