Musqueam’s history, heritage and culture showcased in new FIFA 23 video game

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EA Sports’ hit video game FIFA has gone back to its roots with its new edition, literally.

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

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Vancouver is in the ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations.

There are more than 1,300 members of the Musqueam gang. About half live in a small portion of their ancestral territory known as Musqueam Reserve, located south of Marine Drive in Vancouver, near the airport.

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Many others live throughout the Musqueam territory, now called Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Delta, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and New Westminster.

Musqueam’s boss, Wayne Sparrow, was impressed when he saw the results of the collaboration with EA Sports.

“Amazing. I’m so proud of our artists, our community. To have it featured like this is just amazing. For me, it’s a big step in reconciliation.”

The work of about 10 local artists appears in the game.

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

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“The only thing that bothers me is that I wish those who fought hard for us, who have left us, were not here to see what their hard work has come of. Because it is not necessarily the leadership of this day. It’s all those previous leaders who laid the foundation for us.”

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

Players will be able to unlock Volta Football apparel and FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) kits, designed by Musqueam artists, along with FUT stadium customization items featuring a variety of Musqueam motifs and patterns.

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While EA Sports’ Madden NFL franchise has collaborated with indigenous artists in the past (Hawaii stadium in Madden 22), the developer says this is the first collaboration of its kind for the FIFA title “as our goal is to connect better with the local public”. communities where our studios are located and our games are produced.”

“We are honored to work with Musqueam artists, athletes and community leaders to help share its deep and meaningful history and culture with the millions of FIFA fans around the world,” said Nicholas Lammie, director of brand marketing at EA. Sports FIFA, 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.

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The collaboration also sees EA Sports helping Musqueam on his home turf by creating real kits for Musqueam’s soccer players that bring in-game outfits to life. It is also providing updates to Musqueam Field, including improved equipment storage and management facilities, new goals and nets, and custom tents to protect against inclement weather.

Musqueam soccer teams regularly play in tournaments in BC

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

Musqueam artists whose work appears 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 EA Romania also worked on, will be available worldwide on September 30 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X5/8S, PC, Stadia, PS4 and Xbox One. Early access to FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition begins on September 27th.