This is really not unlike banning the nazi flag post WWII germany. The parallels are apt.
Perhaps in time, the flag will lose its emotional charge but that isn't the case now.
Perhaps in time, the flag will lose its emotional charge but that isn't the case now.
That reasoning aside, I think that ignoring or changing parts of history that some find uncomfortable, even if they evoke strong emotions, seems like a dangerous game. It seems wiser to draw the line at "all speech ought to be protected from those who have power to control it" and then make thoroughly thought-through exceptions with well-grounded and regularly reevaluated justifications.
edit: markbnj makes a good point, that whatever the justification for Germany's limits on free speech are, they do not apply to a game trying to reenact historical events https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9779899
>> Subsection (1) shall not be applicable if the means of propaganda or the act serves to further civil enlightenment, to avert unconstitutional aims, to promote art or science, research or teaching, reporting about current historical events or similar purposes.
I'm no lawyer, and know almost nothing about German law, but this wording would appear to preserve an exception for cases exactly like this one, i.e. artistic or historical portrayal.
Let's put it this way, if the game allows the south to 'win' then its fairly close to not meeting that standard. The reason is because it also serves the purpose of providing alternative fantasies to those who wish to imagine the continuation of southern institutional racism.