The state of Native representation in videogames

This commentary examines the state of Native representation in videogames from a Native perspective. Also, this commentary offers examples of Native Representation in Videogames from 1971 to 2025. Furthermore, I provide decolonizing and indigenizing examples of Natives in videogames. The paper also contains recommendations for further research and suggests good practices for videogame developers to facilitate design of positive Native representation as a decolonizing practice of indigeneity. This commentary closes with a call for positive representation, as seen in Never Alone (Upper One Games, 2014), the first videogame made by an indigenous-owned videogame studio.

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Publication Details

Journal
Eludamos Journal for Computer Game Culture
Published
2025-12-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7557/ejcgc.v16i2.8460
Primary Topic
Digital Games and Media
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

The state of Native representation in videogames

Thomas J Reed
Eludamos Journal for Computer Game Culture
Digital Games and Media
article

The state of Native representation in videogames

Thomas J Reed
article en

Abstract

This commentary examines the state of Native representation in videogames from a Native perspective. Also, this commentary offers examples of Native Representation in Videogames from 1971 to 2025. Furthermore, I provide decolonizing and indigenizing examples of Natives in videogames. The paper also contains recommendations for further research and suggests good practices for videogame developers to facilitate design of positive Native representation as a decolonizing practice of indigeneity. This commentary closes with a call for positive representation, as seen in Never Alone (Upper One Games, 2014), the first videogame made by an indigenous-owned videogame studio.

Eludamos Journal for Computer Game CultureVol. 16(2)
California State University, Long Beach (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 50%
Digital Games and Media
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