Upper One Games, the first indigenous video game company in the U.S., today released additional information about its upcoming debut title Never Alone (also known as “Kisima Ingitchuna” in Inupiaq, a language of the Alaska Native people in the Arctic). Indigenous people are those who have a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a territory, and through the Alaska Native mythology and culture, Upper One Games have managed to translate this into a puzzle platformer video game.
This is a truly unique video game, and the latest gameplay trailer can be found here.
In Never Alone, players take on the role of Nuna, a young Inupiaq girl and her Arctic fox. The story has a unique blend of stories, settings, characters and traditional folklore handed down throughout the generations of the Alaska Native people. The game also incorporates imagery and themes based on the roots and heritage drawn directly from Inupiat and other Alaska Native cultures. As if all of this wasn’t immersive enough, Never Alone includes striking visuals to illustrate the harsh environments of the Arctic.
This trailer is so beautiful and incorporates everything Upper One Games have intended to do with this trailer. Not only are we shown gameplay, but the visuals and an introduction to the story are also provided. There’s something about the gameplay, audio and visuals that feel like Never Alone was inspired by platform titles such as Limbo and Child of Light.
Gloria O’Neill, president and CEO of Upper One Games had this to say about their upcoming title,
“We’d like to think we’re creating one of the most authentic – and fun – games of the year. Video games are powerful tools for making the history, tradition and culture of indigenous peoples relevant to both the next generation of Native people and the rest of the world.”
Never Alone is due for release on Xbox One via Xbox Live this fall.
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