MIAMI, Okla. — Shawnee Tribe Chief Ben Barnes has fond memories of playing video games, including spending countless hours on the 1999 game Sid Meier’s *Alpha Centauri*, where players build and colonize new planets. So, when Firaxis, the studio behind the *Civilization* series, approached him about featuring the famous Shawnee leader Tecumseh in *Civilization VII*, Barnes was thrilled.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Barnes said. “Did they really want us involved in the next version of *Civilization*?”

The *Civilization* series, which debuted in 1991, has become one of the most popular strategy video games ever. Players guide civilizations from their earliest beginnings, negotiating with neighbors, building cities, and managing trade, science, religion, and culture. It’s a game known for its detailed mechanics and historical references, drawing millions of fans worldwide.

However, over the years, societal understanding of cultural representation has evolved. Games like *Civilization*, which allow players to “explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate” lands and peoples, have faced criticism for how they portray Indigenous cultures. In fact, Firaxis scrapped plans to add a Pueblo leader in 2010 after tribal objections, and their inclusion of a Cree leader in 2018 was met with criticism in Canada.

For *Civilization VII*, developers wanted to get it right by working closely with the Shawnee people to accurately represent Tecumseh and their culture. For Chief Barnes, this collaboration wasn’t just about showcasing the strength of the Shawnee leader; it was also an opportunity for tribal members to see their history and future represented in popular media.

“This is cultural expression at its finest,” Barnes said. “Why shouldn’t we be in a video game? Why shouldn’t we see ourselves in every form of media? We jumped at the chance to shine.”

For Firaxis developers, this partnership offered a way to correct past mistakes and bring Shawnee language and history into a modern context. Series creator Sid Meier acknowledged that earlier versions of *Civilization* didn’t always handle history delicately. Past games featured leaders like Stalin and Mao Zedong without much concern for how players might interpret their roles.

“We didn’t realize people would take it as seriously as they do,” Meier admitted. “We’ve learned a lot since then.”

As part of the collaboration, Firaxis and its publisher 2K Games are donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to help fund Shawnee language revitalization efforts.

Shawnee actor Dean Dillon was also brought on board to voice Tecumseh in the new game. Dillon didn’t know he’d be playing such an iconic figure when he auditioned. “I just gave it my best shot,” he said. “When they told me I got the role of Tecumseh, I couldn’t believe it. It was surreal hearing my voice come out of his face.”

While *Civilization* has included Indigenous leaders since its earliest days (Montezuma of the Aztecs appeared in the original 1991 game), this time around, developers are taking extra care to represent these cultures more thoughtfully. The upcoming edition will even remove “barbarians,” a term previously used for hostile non-playable groups in the game, allowing players to establish diplomatic relations with them instead.

With over 70 million copies sold globally and a fanbase that spans far beyond North America and Europe, *Civilization* now features civilizations from all corners of the world. Players are eager to see their own cultures reflected in the game, from the Māori of New Zealand to the Mapuche of South America.

“It’s now an honor for nations to be included in *Civilization*,” Meier said. “We’ve even been lobbied by countries wanting to be part of it.”

As gaming continues to evolve, both in terms of technology and cultural awareness, *Civilization VII* looks poised to bring a more thoughtful approach to history – one that includes voices that were often overlooked in previous editions.