MIAMI, Okla. (AP) — Chief Ben Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe recalls his childhood fondness for video games, particularly spending “probably hundreds of hours” colonizing distant planets in the classic 1999 game Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri. Thus, when Firaxis—the studio behind that game—reached out to create a character based on the renowned Shawnee leader Tecumseh for the upcoming Civilization 7, he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm.
“I was in disbelief at first,” Barnes recounted. “Were they really inviting us to be part of the next Civilization game?”
Since its debut in 1991, Meier’s Civilization series has captivated millions of gamers with its intricate empire-building mechanics, allowing players to lead civilizations from their inception to global domination. Players can select from historical figures like Cleopatra or Mahatma Gandhi, steering their empire through negotiation, trade, science, religion, and the arts. It has been lauded as the bestselling strategy game franchise ever, according to Circana, which tracks U.S. game sales.
However, while video game technology has advanced, society’s understanding of cultural representation and the significance of historical accuracy has evolved as well. The developers at Firaxis recognized that to authentically portray the character of Tecumseh, they needed to engage directly with the Shawnee people for their insights and approval.
This collaboration presented an opportunity not only to honor the legacy of the Shawnee but also to provide tribal members with representation in mainstream culture, envisioning a future where they are actively included. “For us, it’s fundamentally about expressing our cultural identity,” Barnes stated. “Why shouldn’t we be featured in a video game? Our story deserves to shine alongside others.”
Firaxis saw this partnership as a chance to enhance a development process that had previously faced criticism from Indigenous communities. Through thoughtful engagement, they aimed to create a respectful and accurate representation of Shawnee culture. This involved discussions about what a future Shawnee university or library might look like and the introduction of new vocabulary rooted in Shawnee language.
Game producer Andrew Frederiksen highlighted the depth of collaboration, stating they spent months ensuring that Tecumseh’s portrayal would be both authentic and respectful. This effort was recognized by studio founder Sid Meier, who noted that the partnership had roots in challenging discussions with Barnes about the preservation of the Shawnee language.
To further support these cultural initiatives, Firaxis and its publishing branch, 2K Games (part of Take-Two Interactive), committed hundreds of thousands of dollars to language revitalization programs and infrastructure for the Shawnee community.
Unexpectedly, Shawnee actor Dean Dillon auditioned for a role where he would speak the Shawnee language, unaware that he would be voicing Tecumseh—a prominent Native American figure who, in the early 19th century, united various tribes to resist U.S. westward expansion.
“I just gave it my all,” Dillon said, recalling the moment he learned he’d been cast as Tecumseh. “I was ecstatic, running around my house shouting, ‘Oh my gosh!’” For Dillon, seeing Tecumseh come to life with his voice was an incredibly surreal experience.
While Indigenous leaders have always featured in Civilization, early game developers often overlooked the historical complexities of these characters. Previous editions included leaders like Stalin and Mao, without fully considering the implications of their legacies. Reflecting on past decisions, Meier admitted, “We never anticipated how seriously people would take the historical elements.”
Recognizing the mistakes of the past, the upcoming seventh installment—set for release in February—will break new ground by omitting the term “barbarians,” enabling players to foster diplomatic relationships with all in-game groups.
As the audience has grown globally, so has the demand for diverse representation within the game. Meier identified the growing expectation from nations to be included in Civilization, signifying a cultural shift, yet he acknowledged this hasn’t always been met with universal approval, particularly concerning the game’s themes of land settlement and resource exploitation. One Cree leader previously criticized the inclusion of Indigenous characters as perpetuating myths aligned with colonial values.
In light of these issues, historian Andrew Johnson stated that the studio aimed to engage directly with the Shawnee to better understand how to respectfully approach representation. “So often, people think of representation as a sort of privilege,” he explained. “But it’s actually a marketing strategy. Our goal was to ensure this partnership would also help the Shawnee in tangible ways.”
As discussions progressed, it became clear that the Shawnee nation needed resources for language education. This partnership would allow for the creation of dialogue aimed at preserving and revitalizing the Shawnee language. Barnes remarked that Firaxis asked questions about language that had never been considered before, indicating the depth of the collaboration.
Although Barnes has yet to play the new version of the game, he envisions the positive impact it could have on the Shawnee people and younger gamers. “With the progress we’re making today, I’m hopeful that Shawnee will still be spoken in 2500,” he remarked.
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O’Brien reported from Providence, Rhode Island.
