Flashlight vs Torch

[Snarky]

Though I don't think people in the UK were using traditional torches much by the time flashlights were invented. They had gas lamps or lanterns.

[Creamy]

There's a likeness between a traditional torch and a flashlight - both sticks emitting light at one end. Even if it's most common, "flashlight" is less self-explanatory than "torch" for a newcomer.
The French word is similar to the British one: "lampe torche".

[lapsking]

"Hubert was so impressed that he bought Misell's patent for the device. These first flashlights were handmade from crude paper and fiber tubes, with a bulb and a rough brass reflector. Before people started calling them flashlights, they were called the electric hand torch."

Misell was the British inventor of flashlight and first decided to call it "electric hand torch". Also Turkish people call it "el feneri"!

[arj0n]

Another one I stumbled upon and had to look up to be sure what it means, while it seems to be commonly known:

The bog turns out to be British for the toilet. It's predecessor was the boghouse.

[LimpingFish]

...

Via Wiki:

"Because these early flashlights also used energy-inefficient carbon-filament bulbs, "resting" occurred at short intervals. Consequently, they could be used only in brief flashes, hence the common North American name "flashlight""

I've called them both "torch" and "flashlight" in my time, but only one of those terms immediately makes me think of the the object we're discussing. The other can also mean an old-timey, "Burn down the castle!" stick and oil-soaked rag, or, when used as a verb, to set something alight.

In a game, I'd call it a "flashlight".

[Danvzare]

Question: what would be the best naming to use as players can be from any country: a flashlight or a torch?

I call it a torch and calling it anything else but that is weird in my opinion. But if you want the best naming convention for players of any country, flashlight is probably the way to go.

There's a torch in my latest game, and it's even called such in the code. But I called it a flashlight in all of the dialog and the item description.

That being said, I don't think anyone has any problem with using one name over the other. I think most people know both and have accepted them as synonyms.

[Stupot]

Also in favour of 'torch', there is the issue that the invention and clever (or otherwise) naming of the Fleshlight, which has made the word 'flashlight' that much less attractive.

[Danvzare]

Also in favour of 'torch', there is the issue that the invention and clever (or otherwise) naming of the Fleshlight, which has made the word 'flashlight' that much less attractive.

I was thinking the exact same thing, but I kept it to myself because I figured it might just be me and my perverted mind. 
I'm glad I'm not the only one.