A new video game featuring the Squamish Nation’s language has attracted attention for its upcoming release, expected to reach a global audience of millions. Titled “Marvel’s Wolverine,” the game is set to launch on September 15 for PlayStation 5, showcasing various locations in British Columbia such as North Vancouver, the Lions Gate Bridge, and the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
In a notable scene, the main character Logan, also known as Wolverine, is seen riding a motorcycle along the highway with two signs displaying the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim (Squamish language) spelling out “Sk̲wik̲w” for Whistler and “Sḵwx̱wú7mesh” for Squamish.
Senior art director Gavin Goulden, based in Vancouver, emphasized the importance of accurately representing Canada within the game, particularly given Wolverine’s Canadian origins in Alberta. Describing Wolverine as a prominent Canadian superhero, Goulden highlighted the significance of integrating authentic Canadian elements into the gaming experience.
The inclusion of the Squamish Nation’s language in the game has been praised by gaming experts as a significant milestone, especially considering the rarity of British Columbia’s representation in video games. Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams), chairperson of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), expressed pride in seeing their language featured prominently in the game, emphasizing its contemporary relevance and visibility.
Cary Brisebois, a veteran in the video game industry and member of the game development advisory board at Vancouver Film School, applauded the subtle acknowledgment of Indigenous culture in the game, noting the meaningful representation of the land and its people without tokenization.
Sarah Christina Ganzon, an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University specializing in game studies, welcomed the spotlight on Canada in the game, particularly highlighting the rare portrayal of Logan within his home country.
Aliki Marinakis, an Indigenous language programs manager at the University of Victoria, hailed the inclusion of the Squamish language in the game as a significant achievement for Indigenous representation in popular culture. Marinakis stressed the importance of Indigenous children seeing themselves reflected in various aspects of society, including entertainment media.
Nikki Johnston from Tourism Squamish noted the Sea-to-Sky region’s popularity for filming due to its picturesque landscapes, expressing enthusiasm for the game’s potential to showcase the area to a wider audience. While acknowledging the game’s potential to boost destination exposure for Squamish, Johnston emphasized the need for further observation regarding its impact.
Overall, the integration of the Squamish Nation’s language and the portrayal of British Columbia in “Marvel’s Wolverine” signifies a positive step towards diverse and authentic representation within the gaming industry.
