Xbox celebrated International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples this August with touching personal stories about the impact of representation from Indigenous players, elevated representation in games like Minecraft and Age of Empires, showcased beautiful custom Xbox controllers designed by Indigenous artisans of Mexico, and highlighted support of the Gerald A. Lawson Fund for Black and Indigenous Students at the #1 game design program in North America.
While the United States celebrates Native American Heritage Month in November, we have partnered with Microsoft’s Indigenous community to highlight games, movies, and TV inspired by Indigenous creators, culture, and protagonists around the world on Xbox and Windows. This is part of our ongoing work to create more inclusive gaming ecosystems and elevate content that resonates with communities while increasing awareness of their unique perspectives and artistry.
View the collections on the Microsoft Store on Xbox and the Microsoft Store on Windows in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Visitors can find Indigenous community picks at any time by searching within the Stores for “Indigenous” and related terms. Content is subject to availability by country.
Explore Games Curated by Indigenous Communities at Microsoft
A few highlights from the full Xbox games and Windows games collections spanning Indigenous creators, playable characters, and titles inspired by Indigenous culture include:
Never Alone — Alaska Native storytellers helped to develop this game around traditional Iñupiat lore. Never Alone features an Iñupiaq girl named Nuna and her Arctic fox companion. Players experience the narrative through a series of atmospheric puzzles, symbolizing the intergenerational transference of wisdom through collecting “cultural insights” across the harsh arctic environment. Learn more about the making of the game here.
Button City — This cute game was created by Shandiin Yazzie Woodward, an artist who identifies as Diné. Button City focuses on the true power of friendship and importance of community building. Subliminal Games is dedicated to lifting diverse and marginalized voices within games and is Indigenous owned.
Tunche — Tunche takes its name from a spirit of the forest in Peruvian legend and an Indigenous expression meaning “fear.” Team up with your friends or play solo in this charming hand-drawn action game with roguelike elements. Choose from five unique characters and restore peace in the Amazon rainforest.
Raji: An Ancient Epic — Play as Raji, a young girl in search of her brother, during a war between gods and demons. This unique game set in ancient India is inspired by Hindu and Balinese mythology.
Windbound — Unlock the secrets of the Forbidden Islands while finding your way home to your tribe after a shipwreck as a warrior named Kara in a Polynesian-inspired setting.
Carto — Reflective of longstanding Indigenous mapping practices and inspired by several tribal cultures, Carto must map the world around her on a quest to be reunited with her Granny while traversing new lands.
Mulaka — Set in Mexico’s breathtaking landscapes, Mulaka is based on the rich Indigenous culture of the Tarahumara people. The player embarks on a journey as a Sukurúame (a Tarahumara shaman), solving puzzles in environments inspired by real locations and participating in combat against creatures from Tarahumara mythology.
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime — This fun, one to four player couch co-op adventure was co-created with Indigenous game dev, Jamie Tucker. Players pilot a spaceship with a variety of stations to navigate levels and boss fights.
Aritana and the Harpy’s Feather and Aritana and the Twin Masks — Developed by Duaik in Brazil, these games bring to life the beautiful mythology of Indigenous Brazilian culture and folklore through tropical forests, underground caves, and gorgeous mountains.
Tell Me Why — Set in rural Alaska, this game features Indigenous characters. The development team worked closely with local tribes and the Huna Heritage Foundation to represent Tlingit culture. This game includes strong LGBTQIA+ themes and prominent intersectional representation.
Experience Movies and TV Curated by Indigenous Communities at Microsoft
Standouts from the full Movies and TV collection spanning Indigenous creators, leads, themes of education, history, and culture, and family entertainment include:
“Smoke Signals” — This was the first feature length film that was written by, directed by, produced by, and that starred Native American leads. The story follows two friends, Victor and Thomas, from the Coeur D’Alene Reservation as they travel to Phoenix, Arizona to collect ashes of Victor’s father. The film explores identity and complicated family relationships.
“The Legend of Korra” — It’s not often that we see a strong, complex, and bisexual Indigenous woman at the helm of a major animated TV series. Korra is an avatar, master of the four elements hailing from the Southern Water Tribe that is based on Indigenous Arctic cultures. The show touches on deep themes of spirituality and mental health such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Korra is also a playable character in the recently-released Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl.
“Moana” — Starring a Native Hawaiian lead and a supporting Samoan actor, this family friendly film celebrates Oceanic cultures. In addition to finding inspiration in Polynesian mythology, the film also features strong women and a powerful soundtrack that includes Samoan, Tuvaluan, and Tokelauan languages in song lyrics.
“Cleverman” — Creator Ryan Griffen wanted to create an Australian Aboriginal superhero for his son, and succeeded! This supernatural thriller draws heavily from the mythology of Indigenous Australians known as Dreamtime.
“Rhymes for Young Ghouls” — Written and directed by Jeff Barnaby, who identifies as Mi’kmaq, this movie touches on the history of abuse of First Nations children within the Canadian residential school system from the perspective of a teenage girl.
“Whale Rider” — A memorable depiction of Māori culture and history, Whale Rider follows the struggles of a young girl named Paikea to fulfil her destiny in the shadow of her late twin brother. Pai is named after an ancient ancestor who rode on top of a whale.
We are hard at work and committed to improving the experiences of underrepresented communities, plus increasing representation of diverse creators and content across our ecosystems. Stay tuned in the coming months for more exciting updates as we continue to gain momentum!
Microsoft Celebrates Indigenous Creators, Culture, and Artistry through Games, Movies, and TV
Source: Thinking Philippines
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