Spider-Man videogame sparks confusion and criticism for featuring the wrong Irish flag

A Spider-Man game on the Sony PlayStation 5 has caused confusion and generated criticism after using a wrong flag to represent Ireland.

In the newly released Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the flag used for the Republic of Ireland outside of the United Nations building in New York City is not the traditional green, white and orange tri-colour that is used by the country, but a green flag with a silver harp in the middle.

It has been pointed out by gamers that have noticed this inaccuracy that it could be hinting at having support for a United Ireland or that there is a United Ireland in the games’ universe.

It should also be noted that the use of the flag isn’t exclusive to this game. The 2018 Spider-Man game, which was released on the PlayStation 4, also featured the exact same flag.

Reddit user u/Gothamite27 commented just a few weeks ago on this strange phenomenon, writing: “Both Spider-Man games have the wrong Irish flag outside the UN. Seems there's a united Ireland in the Marvel universe.” 

Needless to say many have noticed this on both games over the last two years.

Although gamers don’t appear to be up in arms or angered by this decision, the use of the flag hasn’t gone down too well with some politicians.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, an MP for Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, which favours a British rather than Irish identity, told the Belfast Telegraph on Sunday: 

“The notion that the display of this flag depicts an all-Ireland demonstrates the ignorance of both the game makers and those who don't know their history. The flag depicted was actually the one representing Ireland when it was part of the United Kingdom. Indeed even to this day the harp is included within the Royal coat of arms with the British Royal family and is used by a number of British Army regiments including the Royal Irish regiment.”

Donaldson added: “Northern Ireland's future within the UK won't be determined by what's in a Playstation game – it will be determined by the votes of the people of Northern Ireland.”

The Irish Post reports that the flag featured in the games was used by Wolfe Tone, a leading figure in the Irish revolution against British rule and the United Irishmen in the 1700s, a group Tone which was a founding member of. 

Insomniac Games, the company which developed both Spider-Man games has been contacted for comment.

More: HBO’s adaptation of 'Between the World and Me' is a poetic reflection of what it means to be Black in America