Apple pulls Civil War games from App Store in ongoing controversy over Confederate flags

Posted:
in iPhone edited June 2015
Apple appears to have removed most or all content from the App Store that features a Confederate flag, even games which only feature the flag in a historical war context, it was discovered on Thursday.

One of HexWar's pulled Civil War strategy games.
One of HexWar's pulled Civil War strategy games.


Some examples include Ultimate General: Gettysburg and Hunted Cow's Civil War games, according to Touch Arcade. Apple is reportedly notifying developers such as HexWar Games that their apps have been removed because they include images of the Confederate flag "used in offensive and mean-spirited ways."

A person at HexWar stated that the company is "in no way sympathetic to the use of the flag in an offensive way," and includes it simply because it's historically accurate. To return to the App Store, HexWar will be resubmitting its American Civil War titles using an 1861 version of the Confederate flag, which is significantly different from the "Southern Cross" battle flag usually associated with the Confederacy.

Apple's actions appear to be following the direction of major vendors like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart pulling items with the Confederate flag as well. Following the racist shootings of nine people at a church in South Carolina, some groups have rallied to have the Confederate flag pulled from government buildings in the American South, and/or statues of Confederate leaders removed from public places.

Apple has frequently been accused of imposing overreaching bans at the App Store. Hunted Cow, for instance, had a game called Tank Battle 1942 rejected because it depicted Germans and Russians as enemies.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 117

    Meanwhile, games featuring the Nazi flag are untouched. If Apple wants to be consistent Wolfenstein and other titles better be pulled as well.

     

    This is so utterly ridiculous.

  • Reply 2 of 117
    singularitysingularity Posts: 1,328member
    Is there someone at Apple who's job role us to place corporately a foot in Apples mouth.
  • Reply 3 of 117
    Wow this is getting ridiculous.
  • Reply 4 of 117
    That's taking things a little far.
  • Reply 5 of 117
    razorpitrazorpit Posts: 1,796member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Eric Swinson View Post



    That's taking things a little far.



    Not if you're in the news business.  Things are a bit slow over the summer.  Gotta have something to get people to click and tune-in.  ;) 

  • Reply 6 of 117
    imemberimember Posts: 247member
    I had no interest in playing this game, but still i don't like what Apple did
  • Reply 7 of 117
    cashxxcashxx Posts: 114member
    Oh please.....the country is going down hill with this crap! Its part of our history, like it or not! If you don't like it then forget about it and move on! This is the reason we have shooters like this last one as it feels like our country and going down hill and we are loosing it as a whole.
  • Reply 8 of 117
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member
    This is really sad on Apples part. Like it or not the flag is part of history, a very dark and dangerous part of this countries history. I'm more concerned about games associated with wars than I am about games associated with a flag belonging to one side. War is not and never has been a game.

    Beyond all of that this backlash against the rebel flag will likely have the opposite effect of what people want to achieve here. It will drive more of these nut cases underground and make those that stay above ground even more belligerent. Denying history is no way to deal with racism.
  • Reply 9 of 117
    lkrupplkrupp Posts: 10,557member

    Stupid, stupid, stupid move on Apple’s part. Just erase history, pretend the Civil War never happened so no one will be ‘offended.’ This country has gone stark raving mad. It shows the complete impotence of the politically correct movement. It is reduced to dumb symbolism like this. Instead of DOING something about gun violence, racism, economic inequity they just hold up a sign and chant, attempt to erase history, ‘talk’ about it and pretend they did something.

     

    I love Apple’s products but this recent push into politics and social issues by the current CEO is going to backfire eventually, just like firing Brendan Eich, boycotting Chick-Fil-A did. 

  • Reply 10 of 117
    Dispelling myths of confederate history.

    History books, the media, the school systems, etc abound in falsehoods and inaccuracies of Confederate and Southern history. This fact sheet will help to clarify and dispell some of these rampant inaccuracies.

    MYTH - The War of 1861 - 1865 was fought over slavery.

    FACT - Terribly untrue. The North fought the war over money. Plain and simple. When the South started Secession, Lincoln was asked, "Why not let the South go in peace?" To which he replied, "I can't let them go. Who would pay for the government?" Sensing total financial ruin for the North, Lincoln waged war on the South. The South fought the War to repel Northern aggression and invasion.


    MYTH - Only Southerners owned slaves.

    FACT - Entirely untrue. Many Northern civilians owned slaves. Prior to, during and even after the War Of Northern Aggression.

    Surprisingly, to many history impaired individuals, most Union Generals and staff had slaves to serve them! William T. Sherman had many slaves that served him until well after the war was over and did not free them until late in 1865.

    U.S. Grant also had several slaves, who were only freed after the 13th amendment in December of 1865. When asked why he didn't free his slaves earlier, Grant stated "Good help is so hard to come by these days."

    Contrarily, Confederate General Robert E. Lee freed his slaves (which he never purchased - they were inherited) in 1862!!! Lee freed his slaves several years before the war was over, and considerably earlier than his Northern counterparts. And during the fierce early days of the war when the South was obliterating the Yankee armies!

    Lastly, and most importantly, why did NORTHERN States outlaw slavery onlyAFTER the war was over? The so-called "Emancipation Proclamation" of Lincoln only gave freedom to slaves in the SOUTH! NOT in the North! This pecksniffery even went so far as to find the state of Delaware rejecting the 13th Amendment in December of 1865 and did not ratify it (13th Amendment / free the slaves) until 1901!


    MYTH - The Confederate Battle Flag was flown on slave ships.

    FACT - NONE of the flags of the Confederacy or Southern Nation ever flew over a slave ship. Nor did the South own or operate any slaves ships. The English, the Dutch and the Portugese brought slaves to this country, not the Southern Nation.

    BUT, even more monumental, it is also very important to know and understand that Federal, Yankee, Union ships brought slaves to America! These ships were from the New England states, and their hypocrisy is atrocious.

    These Federals were ones that ended up crying the loudest about slavery. But without their ships, many of the slaves would have never arrived here. They made countless fortunes on the delivery of slaves as well as the products madefrom raw materials such as cotton and tobacco in the South.

    This is the problem with Yankee history History is overwhelmingly portrayed incorrectly by most of the Federal & Yankee books and media.


    MYTH - The Confederate Battle Flag represented the Southern Nation.

    FACT - Not true. While the Southern Battle flag was carried into battle, the Southern Nation had 3 different National flags during the course of the war.

    The First National flag was changed due to a resemblance of the US flag.

    The Second National flag was subsequently modified due to the similarity to a flag of truce.

    The Third National flag was the adopted flag of the Confederacy.

    The Confederate Battle Flag was never a National Flag of the Confederacy. It was carried into battle by several armies such as the Army Of Northen Virginia and the Army of Tennessee. Was also used as a Naval Jack by the Confederate Navy.


    MYTH - The Confederate Battle Flag is known as the "Stars & Bars".

    FACT - A common misconception. The First National Confederate Flag is correctly known as the "Stars & Bars". The Confederate Battle Flag is known as the "Southern Cross".


    MYTH - The Confederate Battle Flag represents racism today.

    FACT - The Confederate Battle Flag today finds itself in the center of much controversy and hoopla going on in several states. The cry to take this flag down is unjustified. It is very important to keep in mind that the Confederate Battle Flag was simply just that. A battle flag. It was never even a National flag, so how could it have flown over a slave nation or represented slavery or racism? This myth is continued by lack of education and ignorance. Those that villify the Confederate Battle Flag are very confused about history and have jumped upon a bandwagon with loose wheels.


    MYTH - The United States Flag represented freedom.

    FACT - No chance. The US flag flew over a slave nation for over 85 years! The North tolerated slavery and acknowledged it as a Division Of Labor. The North made a vast fortune on slavery and it's commodities. It wasn't until the South decided to leave the Union that the North objected. The North knew it could not survive without the Southern money. That is the true definition of hypocrisy.


    MYTH - Abraham Lincoln was the Great Emancipator.

    FACT - While Lincoln has went down in history as the Great Emancipator, many would not care to hear his real thoughts on people of color. Martyred President Abraham Lincoln was fervently making plans to send all freed slaves to the jungles of Central America once the war was over. Knowing that African society would never allow the slaves to return back to Africa, Lincoln also did not want the slaves in the US. He thought the jungles of Central America would be the best solution and conducive to the freed slaves best interest. The only thing that kept this from happening, was his assassination.


    MYTH - The South revered slavery.

    FACT - A very interesting fact on slavery is that at the time the War of 1861 -1865 officially commenced, the Southern States were actually in the process of freeing all slaves in the South. Russia had freed it's servants in 1859, and the South took great note of this. Had military intervention not been forced upon the South, a very different America would have been realized then as well as now.


    MYTH - The Confederate Army was comprised of rich slave owners.

    FACT - Very far from true. The vast majority of soldiers in the Confederate Army were simple men of meager income. Most of which were hard working farmers and common men. Then, as now, very few rich men ever fight a war.


    MYTH - Only the North had men of color in their ranks.

    FACT - Quite simply a major falsehood of history. Many blacks, both free and of their own will, joined the Confederate Army to fight for their beloved Southern home. Additionally, men of other ethnic extraction fought as well. Oriental, Mexican & Spanish men as well as Native American Indians fought with pride for the South.

    Today, many men of color are members in the heritage group SCV - Sons Of Confederate Veterans. These men of color and pride rejoice in their heritage. The continued attacks on the Southern Nation, The Confederacy, and her symbols are a terrible outrage to these fine people. These attacks should be denounced with as much fervor as those who denounce the South.


    MYTH - The Confederate Flags are an authorized symbol of Aryan, KKK and hate groups.

    FACT - Quite the contrary. These dispicable organizations such as the KKK and Aryans have taken a hallowed piece of history, and have plagued good Southern folks and the memories of fine Confederate Soldiers that fought under the flag with their perverse agenda. IN NO WAY does the Confederate Flag represent hate or violence. Heritage groups such as the SCV battle daily the damage done to a proud nation by these hate groups. The SCV denounces all hate groups, and pridefully boast HERITAGE - NOT HATE.


    MYTH - The SCV - Sons Of Confederate Veterans are a racist, hate group.

    FACT - This is a blatant attack on one of the finest heritage groups ever. The SCV - Sons Of Confederate Veterans are a historical, patriotic and non-political organization comprised of descendents of Confederate Soldiers and sailors dedicated to insuring that a true history of the 1861 -1865 period is preserved and presented to the public. The SCV continues to educate the public of the memory and reputation of the Confederate soldier as well as the motives for his suffering and sacrifice.



    Published proof listed below:



    http://www.amazon.com/Ten-Hills-Farm-Forgotten-History/dp/0691150354


    http://www.amazon.com/Complicity-Promoted-Prolonged-Profited-Slavery/dp/0345467833



    http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/098343560X/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_16?refRID=1DCVXJK5G2TPE68PD91F


    http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0982770073/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_1?refRID=0DHXE3WEXVSQFAH5Q59E#productDescription_secondary_view_pageState_1435098408324
  • Reply 11 of 117
    mstonemstone Posts: 11,510member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post



     To return to the App Store, HexWar will be resubmitting its American Civil War titles using an 1861 version of the Confederate flag, which is significantly different from the "Southern Cross" battle flag usually associated with the Confederacy.





    1861 version

  • Reply 12 of 117
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    Thank God Tim Cook is making sure Apple employees focus on the important things like banishing history. :rolleyes:
  • Reply 13 of 117
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member
    lkrupp wrote: »
    Stupid, stupid, stupid move on Apple’s part. Just erase history, pretend the Civil War never happened so no one will be ‘offended.’
    It is an attitude that is highly dangerous and actually feeds racism and bigotry.
    This country has gone stark raving mad. It shows the complete impotence of the politically correct movement. It is reduced to dumb symbolism like this. Instead of DOING something about gun violence,
    Gun violence in this country isn't nearly as bad as the media makes it out to be. A good portion of it is directly related to the drug trade.
    racism,
    In this case Apple just gave the racist another tool to pick up more members. Sometimes I really don't think the liberal elite get it, their policies often fuel resentment and as a result the very racism they are trying to eliminate.
    economic inequity they just hold up a sign and chant, attempt to erase history, ‘talk’ about it and pretend they did something.
    We have had over a decade of pretend government now! The current administration has basically bankrupted the country and no party has a platform the really suggests they will put things right.
    I love Apple’s products but this recent push into politics and social issues by the current CEO is going to backfire eventually, just like firing Brendan Eich, boycotting Chick-Fil-A did. 

    It certainly will backfire. The funny thing about Chick-Fil-A is that I happened to have some time in the south just after that nonsense took place. Stopped at the first Chick-Fil-A I found to offer a little support. In that case I found the restaurant to be a step above the chains we have around here.
  • Reply 14 of 117
    msanttimsantti Posts: 1,377member
    Liberal over reach.

    Happens again and again.

    Connfederate flag causing so much butt hurt but now there is butt hurt over banning Civil War games.

    Oh well!

    You people got what you deserve.
  • Reply 15 of 117
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    lkrupp wrote: »
    Stupid, stupid, stupid move on Apple’s part. Just erase history, pretend the Civil War never happened so no one will be ‘offended.’ This country has gone stark raving mad. It shows the complete impotence of the politically correct movement. It is reduced to dumb symbolism like this. Instead of DOING something about gun violence, racism, economic inequity they just hold up a sign and chant, attempt to erase history, ‘talk’ about it and pretend they did something.

    I love Apple’s products but this recent push into politics and social issues by the current CEO is going to backfire eventually, just like firing Brendan Eich, boycotting Chick-Fil-A did. 

    So I wonder when Apple remove references to the US flag. Some people are offended by that too.
  • Reply 16 of 117
    eightzeroeightzero Posts: 3,056member

    Again, more propaganda about the "history" of the US "civil war." The conflict 1861-1865 is properly called by all knowing historians as "the War of Northern Aggression."

  • Reply 17 of 117
    This is taking things too damn far. Maybe I should pull my iPhone, iPad, and Mac and use other platforms!
  • Reply 18 of 117
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Jesus Christ. This is political correctness gone completely insane.

    Tim, make this right. Going overboard like this is extremely offensive.
  • Reply 19 of 117
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    Maybe we can get Taylor Swift to one another letter to Apple explaining how stupid this is.
  • Reply 20 of 117
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rogifan View Post





    So I wonder when Apple remove references to the US flag. Some people are offended by that too.

     

    You joke; Farrakhan is already calling for the US flag to go away.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by eightzero View Post

     

    Again, more propaganda about the "history" of the US "civil war." The conflict 1861-1865 is properly called by all knowing historians as "the War of Northern Aggression."


    The funny thing is that while slavery was a big component of the reason for succession, it wasn't the bedrock principle. If it was, Davis wouldn't have told France and England "Hey, we're willing to drop the slavery thing if you'll support us".

     

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SpamSandwich View Post



    Jesus Christ. This is political correctness gone completely insane.



    Tim, make this right. Going overboard like this is extremely offensive.

    No one can accuse him of loyalty to his home state.

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