Video Games Embrace Cultural Couture with Authentic Indigenous and Global Designs
Video games are increasingly incorporating traditional cultural clothing as customizable options. In Dead by Daylight, the game has unveiled its inaugural Indigenous character, Shane Wiigwaas, an Anishinaabe man, adorned in historically precise powwow regalia, thanks to collaboration with an Anishinaabe consultant for authenticity. This movement also encompasses The Sims 4's West African collection, the Chinese hanfus in Where Winds Meet, Naoe's Shinobi robe in Assassin's Creed Shadows, Kismet's cyberpunk qipao in Fragpunk, and Salvador's Day of the Dead face paint in Fortnite. Notable high-fashion partnerships include Coach with The Sims 4, Balenciaga with Fortnite, and Louis Vuitton with League of Legends. A report from the Geena Davis Institute revealed that over 70% of players value diverse characters, with Sarah Robinson emphasizing that fashion enhances empowerment and representation.
Key facts
- Dead by Daylight introduced its first Indigenous character, Shane Wiigwaas, an Anishinaabe man.
- Shane Wiigwaas wears traditional powwow regalia including beaded vest, breechcloth, feathered headpiece, and moccasins.
- The design team worked with an Anishinaabe consultant to ensure historical accuracy.
- The Sims 4 released a West African collection with bright colors and prints.
- Where Winds Meet offers Chinese hanfus and qipaos from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
- Assassin's Creed Shadows features Naoe in a Shinobi battle robe.
- Fragpunk's Kismet wears a cyberpunk qipao.
- Fortnite's Salvador has a Mexican Day of the Dead look with calavera face paint.
- Coach collaborated with The Sims 4, Balenciaga with Fortnite, Louis Vuitton with League of Legends.
- A Geena Davis Institute report found over 70% of gamers value diverse characters.
Entities
Artists
- Sarah Robinson
Institutions
- Dead by Daylight
- The Sims 4
- Where Winds Meet
- Assassin's Creed Shadows
- Fragpunk
- Fortnite
- Coach
- Balenciaga
- Louis Vuitton
- League of Legends
- Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
Locations
- Anishinaabe nation
- West Africa
- China
- Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period
- Mexico