Indigenous video games to watch out for
Exciting new quests inspired by indigenous teachings, mythology and stories
Today multimedia platforms are being combined with indigenous teachings, mythology and stories, offeringupexciting new quests in the form of video games.Even the classic Space Invaders getsa makeover!
Here are sixvideo games paving the way for indigenous inspired adventures:
1. Honour Water
The songs featured were gifted by Sharon Day and the Oshkii Giizhik Singers. When released it will be available for free on iOS, Android, and other platforms.
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2. Invaders
Another LaPense gamer project includes Invaders, which was inspired by the classic arcade game Space Invaders. Invaders uses the art of Steven Paul Judd, and music of Trevino Brings Plenty. This was released in 2015 for web and mobile phone use and was featured at imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival 2015.
3. Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna)
The adventure follows a young Iupiat girl and an arctic fox, who set out to find the source of an eternal blizzard which threatens the survival of everything they have ever known. Buy here:neveralonegame.com/game
4.Qalupalik
Qalupalikis an Inuit mythological creature that kidnaps children who get too close to cracks in the ice.PinnguaqTechnology Inc.,brings together cultures and stories through the development of games,appsand other software. In this game, players set out on a mission to rescue a sibling who was taken by theQalupalik. The game is soon to be released in2016.
5. Spirits of Spring
Minority Mediais an independent gaming company that has been widely praised lately for its introduction of a new game genre: empathy games.Spirits of Springis Minority's second empathy game,formerly called Silent Enemy. It follows the story of three young indigenous boys Chiwatin, Rabbit and Bear who have to hunt down giant mysterious crows that stole their spirits. Themes explored includebullying,and using the power of friendship to overcome it, as players get to go on adventures set in the northern area of Quebec.
6. Skins
Skins is a series of lessons and workshops taught by computationarts graduates, students and faculty staff from Concordia University, with indigenous mentors as cultural consultants. While in the workshops, students team up to create videogames based on indigenous mythology, teachings and lessons.
This article was initially published inMuskrat Magazine.Edited and republished withpermission.