“Guardian Maia ” by Maru Nihoniho

Title:

Guardian Maia

Artist(s) and People Involved:

Filmmaker, Video Artist, or Animator(s):



• Maru Nihoniho -
  • Metia Interactive

Symposium:

• ISEA2024: 29th International Symposium on Electronic Art

Venue(s):

• The Loft Theatre, QUT Creative Industries Precinct, Brisbane, Australia

Artist Statement:

It’s 2750: a mutant tyrant rules Aotearoa New Zealand and civilians are being ravaged by the deadly Grey Death toxin he helped to create. In this action-adventure game, you will help a humble forest guardian through the unforgiving lands of New Zealand’s South Island in search of Ngā Kete Wānanga (the three baskets) which hold the key to saving your people and saving the world. Guardian Maia is a hybrid historical/science-fiction story that draws on the mythology of the Māori culture in Aotearoa, New Zealand. It is a global story and taps into the universal human need to belong and understand the mysteries of the world. Indigenous storytelling as culture-based games are hugely influential and are a powerful outlet for engagement and learning. Although a fictional story, Guardian Maia offers an authentic representation of the Māori culture and allows the player to explore while enjoying the gameplay experience