A new video game featuring the Marvel character Wolverine will showcase various locations in British Columbia, including North Vancouver, the Lions Gate Bridge, and the Sea-to-Sky Highway. In the game, the main character, Logan, is seen riding a motorcycle on the highway, passing by signs displaying the words for Whistler (Sk̲wik̲w) and Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) in the Squamish Nation’s language, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim.
The senior art director, Gavin Goulden, emphasized the importance of accurately representing Canada in the game, given Wolverine’s Canadian roots in Alberta. He described Wolverine as a prominent Canadian superhero and highlighted the significance of incorporating real Canadian elements into the game.
The inclusion of the Squamish Nation’s language in the game is considered a significant achievement by gaming experts, as it offers visibility and recognition to the indigenous community. The chairperson of the Squamish Nation, Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams), expressed pride in seeing their language featured prominently in a game centered around a Canadian hero.
Industry professionals, such as Cary Brisebois and Sarah Christina Ganzon, commended the game for its Indigenous inclusion and representation of Canada. They acknowledged the importance of showcasing the country’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage in popular media like video games.
Aliki Marinakis, an Indigenous language programs manager, praised the game for highlighting the Squamish language, underscoring the importance of Indigenous representation in mainstream pop culture. She emphasized the need for Indigenous children to see themselves reflected in various forms of media, including entertainment and education.
The picturesque Sea-to-Sky region, known for its natural beauty and popularity as a filming location, is featured prominently in the game. Tourism officials anticipate that the game’s exposure of the area may attract more attention to Squamish as a tourist destination, drawing parallels to the success of previous Marvel games in reaching a global audience.