Kabam’s wildly popular mobile fighting game, Marvel Contest of Champions, already boasts an impressive roster of over 200 playable Marvel superheroes and villains. However, with their latest addition, they are breaking exciting new ground; Chee’ilth is the first original First Nations hero added to the game. It is important to remember games should be for everyone and, as such, should strive to represent everyone. It is hard not to be thrilled to see this level of thoughtful representation and inclusivity.
Chee’ilth is the masterful result of Kabam teaming up with Indigenous experts and artists to craft an authentic hero that pays respectful homage to First Nations culture. Her backstory draws from Indigenous spirituality, with Chee’ilth gaining animal-inspired powers from the spirits Brother Grizzly and Sister Eagle. This imbues her with formidable strength and healing abilities, handy for tackling those gamma-powered enemies! Visually, Chee’ilth rocks stylized Indigenous body art and wields a traditional adze axe as her weapon.
What is perhaps the most impressive is that Marvel and Kabam centred on inclusivity, inviting First Nations collaborators into the creative process. They ensured the character and her traditions were portrayed positively and accurately. As Chee’ilth’s creator, Justin Ostensen, explained, this level of Indigenous control over Indigenous representation is sadly rare in the mainstream.
The involvement of revered actress and activist Tantoo Cardinal is another plus, with Cardinal narrating an audio story delving into Chee’ilth’s origins. This is significant and shows a level of care not often seen, especially in the mobile space. This supplementary content shows substantial effort to flesh out and celebrate this groundbreaking new hero.
With Chee’ilth, Marvel Contest of Champions demonstrates how mobile games can push representation forward in thoughtful, engaging ways. She brings welcome diversity to Contest of Champions and the Marvel universe at large. Here’s hoping Chee’ilth paves the way for more inclusive, collaborative characters across the gaming landscape.
