As February approaches,Civilization 7comes with it. As the core component of the game, empires and their leaders are stuck in the heads of those who are eager to play, from the well-known figureheads to those not yet seen in the franchise. Yet, in all games sinceCiv 2, one Indigenous American leader makes an appearance.
History is a cornerstone ofCivilizationeven when its gameplay forms a history separate from reality. The games aim high for a good representation of all civs with a history of care towards Indigenous Americans, particularly where the precision of language is concerned. In the upcoming installment, Tecumseh of the Shawnee Tribe will continue this legacy, again calling into question how the franchise shows up for these communities.
Civilization’s Native Leaders Raise a Necessary Discussion
The Shawnee’s Tecumseh Touches Down in Civilization 7
Thenewest addition toCivilization’s leadersis an impressive one. Growing up under the shade of the Revolutionary War, Tecumseh is best known for rallying Natives from several tribes against Americans in the War of 1812. Tecumseh was a loud roar of unity against violent American expansion that took advantage of tribal fracture, representing that vision beyond his death.
As originally reported byThe American Press, Firaxis approached Shawnee Tribe Chief Ben Barnes and visited the tribe’s headquarters to advance a sincere representation of the Shawnee, and they especially focused on the preservation of the Shawnee language.Firaxis and 2K Gamesare donating to language revitalization programs as a part of the collaboration, and Shawnee actor Dean Dillon will lend his voice to Tecumseh.
While many specific mechanics ofCiv 7are unknown as of yet, basic information on Tecumseh places him as a primarily diplomatic andmilitaristic leader, with boosts in food and production based on City-State Suzerain status. But beyond how the Shawnee appear in-game, the development of theirCivpresence continues a conversation on placing Indigenous leaders in a game that represents expansion and exploitation at its core.
Civ’s Shawnee Appearance Could Right Past Mistakes
Sid Meier and other studio executives also spoke to the AP in acknowledgment of “past missteps in theCivilizationfranchise’s casual treatment of history, including how it incorporated Indigenous groups and colonization more broadly.” It goes without saying that Indigenous representation still has a long way to go, and for all ofCivilization’s successes, it is not immune to the effort that must be undertaken for a complete and accurate framing of Indigenous peoples.
Civis consistent in including Native civs in some way, but the extent of its collaboration with the Shawnee is a first.Civ 6’s Poundmaker of the Cree Nationreceived criticism from Headman Milton Tootoosis. He said it perpetuated a myth of First Nations leaders participating in the colonial values of the game despite Poundmaker’s actual role in peacekeeping. Tootoosis also said the Cree were not consulted. On the other hand, Poundmaker’s leader abilities reward players extensively for being friendly. Similarly, in 2010, Pueblo tribal leaders rejected Firaxis’ offer to include a leader entirely. Both instances, at least, call for a proper collaborative effort.
WhileCivilizationis a strategy game that operates entirely onthe function of civilization domination, there is the larger question of what is upholding harmful imperialist visions of Native Americans, especially if such leaders are militaristic. For a franchise at the throne of historical games, discussions about nuance and the larger message are imperative.
Sid Meier’s Superpower is Attention to Detail
On every single level, theCivilizationfranchise’s attention to detailis its most impressive part, from its elaborate systems to the stunning visuals to remarkable linguistic feats. But its developers must intentionally accurately represent the important historical figures it stakes claim to, especially where Indigenous Americans are involved. Fortunately, the Shawnee Tribe’s work on the next game is one that spells a very bright future.
