A new video game set in the Australian outback will take on a First Nations consultant to combat the often stereotypical representations of Indigenous people in the gaming world.
The title, 'Broken Roads', by Torquay-based firm Drop Bear Bytes, is described as a cross between post-apocalyptic video game favourites 'Fallout' and 'Mad Max', and will feature authentic Australian locations and environments.
Yorta Yorta and Ngarrindjeri man, Cienan Muir has just taken on the role of ‘Narrative Consultant’, and says he’ll be providing an Indigenous perspective throughout its development.
“This is good opportunity to really have some impact and to make sure my voice is heard across everything from level design, location design, character design and the main story." he said.
Muir, based in Naarm (Melbourne), is the creator of Indiginerd, an online space dedicated to Indigenous storytelling and the representation of Indigenous people within popular culture.
He says the portrayals of First Nations peoples within this space are often offensive or inaccurate.
“A lot of the superficial representation we do see in games is exactly that: superficial... we know a lot of these characters can be problematic."
“A lot of the reputation on our mob were very much based on stereotypes, based on myths of our people, and frankly just weren’t relevant to our culture anymore.
"I’m really making sure that my impact and my voice is heard within this game.”
Racism in the gaming industry has made headlines in recent years.
The playable character 'Djarally' from the upcoming video game 'Broken Roads' Source: Drop Bear Bytes
In 2016, a , which encouraged players to bludgeon Aborigines to death, caused outrage, and was pulled from online stores.
After such instances, many have pointed to the overwhelmingly white make-up of the gaming industry, and indeed the tech industry at large.
The outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in STEM subjects has shown a stubborn refusal to improve over the long term.
A found that, while some improvements had been made in the decade to 2016, First Nations Australians were ten times less likely to have a STEM degree than their non-Indigenous counterparts.
Muir believes there needs to be more pathways and encouragement for young people, starting in high school.
“There needs to be more STEM and STEAM opportunities.
"Gaming companies do have a platform that a lot of people follow and their actions are seen by a lot of people and I think a lot of people in our country are becoming aware of our diversity and I think that needs to be portrayed in the gaming industry”.
