I began recording depictions of Māori culture in video games in 2018. I've been playing video games since the 80s, and I've consistently seen Māori exoticized and erased in mainstream video games. I've also seen how Māori are entering the video game industry - or participating within it as consultants, voice actors, or community members - and creating their own nuanced and meaningful narratives and game mods.
This project builds on similar projects examining cultural appropriation and representation, such as Queerly Represent Me and American Indians in Children's Literature. Suggestions for games are welcome - please send suggestions or requests for collaboration to nickyinthelibrary@gmail.com.
Documenting this work has required much of my time, and my willingness to wade through harmful stereotypes. To reuse my work, please credit me, and see the Creative Commons Attribution CC BY license. Kia ora.
1988 - The New Zealand Story/Kiwi Kraze 1997 - Jonah Lomu Rugby 2001 - Lego Bionicle: Tales of the Tohunga 2002 - The Mark of Kri 2002 - Magic: The Gathering Online 2004 - The SIMS 2 2005 - Rise of the Kasai 2006 - Dungeons & Dragons Online 2007 - The New Zealand Story Revolution 2007 - Anika’s Odyssey: Land of the Taniwha 2008 - Gears of War 2 2009 - League of Legends 2011 - Dead Island 2011 - Minecraft 2011 - Brink 2011 - Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge 2011 - Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Paradise Found 2012 - Farcry 3 2012 - Sleeping Dogs: Gangland Style 2013 - Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel 2013 - Tomb Raider 2013 - Path of Exile 2014 - Nancy Drew: The Shattered Medallion 2014 - World of Warriors 2014 - Maori: The Spirits 2015 - Rise of the Tomb Raider 2016 - Maori 2016 - X-Com 2 2016 - Half-Blood/Maoriland Adventure 2016 - Overwatch 2017 - Battlefield 1 2017 - Māori Pa Wars 2017 - Hehu and the Taniwha 2017 - Fortnite 2017 - Horizon Zero Dawn 2018 - Grabity 2018 - Guardian Maia 2018 - Shadow of the Tomb Raider 2018 - Reverie 2018 - Battletech 2018 - Overcooked! 2 2018 - Hitman 2 2018 - Fire Pro Wrestling World 2018 - Ka Mate 2019 - Scum 2019 - Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm 2019 - Apex Legends
2019 - H1Z1 [Z1 Battle Royale] 2020 - Animal Crossing: New Horizons 2020 - Umurangi Generation 2020 - Cyberpunk 2077
2020 - Tony Hawk Pro-Skater 1+2
2020 - Bleeding Edge 2021 - E Oho: The Awakening 2021 - Skyline Express (boardgame) Forthcoming - Beyond Good & Evil 2 Forthcoming - Guardian Maia
Forthcoming - Toroa