For example, if we were to make a list of games inspired by medieval Vikings or any Japanese era, it would be a list that would stretch on for pages and pages. In the game world, certain civilizations and eras get more representation than others, whether that be due to the sheer beauty or ease of turning them into gameplay.
For something different, today we look at those other fascinating parts of human culture and history at the opposite end of the scale.
Africa
To be clear about this entry, it’s almost criminal to call Africa a monoculture, but the complete absence of games from the hundreds of cultures on the continent is just as bad. Outside of Egypt, which has had its fair share of hits from “Assassin’s Creed” to countless strategy games, Africa is underrepresented in gaming.
For developers, the issue may not be a lack, but an abundance of resources. Those hundreds of cultures in Africa may share some common features with others nearby, but comparing a group like the Yoruba to the Zulu is like comparing any of them to the Vikings and comparing how far apart they are. Covering even one of the most popular games on the continent is a big deal.
New Zealand
Bigger neighbor Australia has gotten a bit of gaming love recently, but New Zealand, and its mix of European and Maori cultures, has largely been left on the sidelines. It’s a shame that the country loves all things digital when it comes to entertainment, especially everything from video games to casino games. For the former, games like “Path of Exile” and “Blons” have made a big mark on the industry and the offers for such casinos show how big the online gambling industry is. This is in large part thanks to the free spins and no deposit offers that attract customers – perhaps other entertainment sectors should follow suit if they want to expose fans to new cultures and gaming experiences.
Maori culture in particular has incredible potential in the growing area of exploration and eco-games. A topic where some myths and legends are mixed around sustainable development in Polynesia will certainly be unique.
Celtic
We’ve recently seen a title that takes a deep dive into ancient Celtic culture, in the form of “Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice”, but beyond that we’ve been limited again to historical and strategy games and games like “Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla”.
What makes this strange is that, in other forms of media, the love for Celtic mythology, legends and symbols is alive and well, from TV to film. There are amazing tales and stories told among the various scattered peoples of Celtic Europe, not the least of which is King Arthur. A game with a lot of historical basis about a famous British monarch will be fascinating to say the least.
Hopefully, as the indie game industry gains more market share, titles focusing on lesser-known cultures will become more mainstream. As we can see, there is the possibility of a Maori or Yoruba game on the horizon.
