Musqueam history, heritage and culture showcased in new FIFA 23 video game
The hit EA Sports FIFA video game has gone back to its roots with its new edition, literally.
FIFA 23, developed primarily in EA Vancouver, recognizes the history, heritage and culture of the Musqueam Indian Band by including artwork and assets from Musqueam artists in its new edition.
Vancouver is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations.
There are more than 1,300 Musqueam band members. About half live in a small portion of its ancestral territory known as Musqueam Reserve, located south of Marine Drive in Vancouver near the airport.
Many others live throughout Musqueam's territory, now called Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Delta, North Vancouver, West Vancouver and New Westminster.
Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow was blown away when he saw the results of the collaboration with EA Sports.
“Amazing. I'm really proud of our artists, our community,” he said in an interview. “To have it presented like that is just amazing. To me, it's a big step in reconciliation.”
The work of some 10 local artists is featured in the game.
“When I looked at it, it gets a little bit emotional,” said Sparrow. “All the hard work that our ancestors did in the past about being recognized in our area, some of the fights that they've had with the residential schools, the rights of Indigenous people that are accepted in the UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and stuff like that.
“The only thing that upsets me is I wish that those ones that fought hard for us, that have all left us, aren't here to see what has come out of their hard work. Because it's not necessarily the leadership of this day. It's all those past leaders that set that groundwork for us.”
FIFA 23 players will have the opportunity to play on a fictional representation of Musqueam's real-life soccer field. Completed in 2015, the band's sporting facilities - a legacy of the 2010 Olympics - consist of two full-sized soccer fields and a clubhouse. The Musqueam Field is in the game as a playable pitch in the Volta Football mode, a take on street soccer.
Gamers will be able to unlock Volta Football apparel and FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) kits, designed by Musqueam artists, along with FUT stadium customization elements that feature a variety of Musqueam motifs and patterns.
While EA Sports' Madden NFL franchise has collaborated with Indigenous artists in the past (Hawai'i stadium in Madden 22), the developer says this is a first collaboration of this kind for the FIFA title “as we aim to better connect with the local communities where our studios are located and our games are produced.”
“We are honoured to work with Musqueam artists, athletes, and community leaders to help share their deep and meaningful history and culture with the millions of FIFA fans across the world,” Nicholas Lammie, director of brand marketing at EA Sports FIFA, said in a statement.
The artwork was reviewed by a committee of representatives designated by the Musqueam Indian Band, EA Sports and Monday Creative, a Vancouver-based marketing company.
The collaboration also sees EA Sports helping the Musqueam on its own turf by creating real kit for Musqueam soccer players that bring to life the in-game outfits. It is also providing upgrades to the Musqueam Field including improved storage and equipment management facilities, new goals and nets, and custom tents to shelter from inclement weather.
Musqueam soccer teams regularly play in tournaments across B.C.
“It's a huge sport here in Musqueam,” said Sparrow.
Musqueam artists whose work is featured in the game include Kelly Cannell, Chase Gray, Deanna Point, Krista Point, Aleen Sparrow, Brent Sparrow, Debra Sparrow, Kamryn Sparrow, Robyn Sparrow and Cole Sparrow-Crawford.
FIFA 23, which was also worked on by EA Romania, will be available worldwide Sept. 30 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X 5/8 S, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One. Early access for FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition begins Sept. 27.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.