The acclaimed EA Sports FIFA video game has returned to its roots with its new edition, literally.

FIFA 23, developed primarily at EA Vancouver, recognizes the history, heritage and culture of Indian Band Musqueam by including artwork and assets from Musqueam artists in its new edition.

Vancouver is located in the ancestral and indivisible territory of the states of Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh.

There are over 1,300 members of the Musqueam band. About half live in a small piece of ancestral territory known as the Musqueam Reserve, located south of Marine Drive in Vancouver near the airport.

Many others lived throughout the Musqueam area, which is now Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Delta, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and New Westminster.

Musqueam chairman Wayne Sparrow was amazed when he saw the results of the collaboration with EA Sports.

“It’s amazing. I’m so proud of our artist, our community,” he said in an interview. “Presenting it like that is simply amazing. For me, this is a huge step in reconciliation.”

The work of about 10 local artists is featured in the game.

“When I saw it, it got a little emotional,” Sparrow said. “All the hard work our ancestors did in the past to get recognized in our area, some of the fights they had with residential schools, the rights of indigenous peoples accepted in UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and things like that.

“The only thing that pisses me off is I wish the people who fought so hard for us, who have left us all, weren’t here to see what their hard work has brought. Because that’s not necessarily leadership today. All the past leaders are the foundation for us.”

FIFA 23 players will have the opportunity to play on a fictional representation of a real-life Musqueam soccer field. Completed in 2015, the band’s sports facility — a legacy of the 2010 Olympics — consists of two full-sized football fields and a clubhouse. Musqueam Field is in the game as a playable field in Volta Football mode, a street soccer game.

Gamers will be able to unlock Volta Football outfits and FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) kits, designed by the artist Musqueam, along with FUT stadium customization elements featuring various Musqueam motifs and patterns.

While EA Sports’ Madden NFL franchise has collaborated with Indigenous artists in the past (Hawaiian stadium at Madden 22), the developer says this is the first collaboration of this kind for a FIFA title “as we aim to better connect with the local communities where our studio is located and our games.” produced.”

“We are honored to work with Musqueam artists, athletes and community leaders to help share their deep and meaningful history and culture with millions of FIFA fans around 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 appointed by the Musqueam Indian Band, EA Sports and Monday Creative, a Vancouver-based marketing company.

The collaboration also sees EA Sports help Musqueam in its own territory by creating real kits for Musqueam soccer players that bring the in-game outfits to life. It also provides upgrades to Musqueam Field including improved equipment storage and management facilities, new objectives and nets, and special tents for sheltering from inclement weather.

The Musqueam soccer team regularly plays in tournaments throughout SM

“It’s a big sport in Musqueam,” said Sparrow.

Musqueam artists whose work is featured in the play 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, also produced by EA Romania, will be available worldwide on September 30 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series XS, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One. Early access to FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition begins September 27.

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Neil Davidson, Canadian Press

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