If the series wants better representation it needs to implement unique gameplay mechanics that are more fitting for the real civilizations. At the same time, it's strange to hear units in the Native civilizations shouting the same lines that the European ones do, in the same voice.Īs a more modern RTS, it's a problem that all of the civilizations in Age of Empires 3 use the same mechanics, buildings, etc. The big problem is that all of the Native civilizations use the same lines, and there's no variation based on their individual languages. The Native civilizations use a mix of English and only a few local language lines.

Looking at that and the visual representation, Age of Empires 3 falls into that stereotypical representation of 'Indians.' Equally egregious are the voice cues that play whenever players select or move a unit. These civilizations also have no unique buildings, as the only real unique gameplay feature is a Fire Pit that villagers can dance around to unlock unique powers.

Journal for Computer Game Culture, Native American civilizations aren't given any options for replanting trees, which seems odd considering how many Native cultures revere nature. Take wood as a resource for example, as all civilizations have to gather wood by chopping down countless trees.Īs Beth LaPensée points out in an essay for Eludamos.

The core ideas of Age of Empires revolve around Western ideas of colonialism, right down to the way resources are gathered and traded. The root of the problem is that the same mechanics are applied to these civilizations as the European civilizations. The Age of Empires series has always dealt with various civilizations from across the globe, but Age of Empires 3 is the first title to feature Native American civs, despite Age of Empires 2 featuring the Aztecs and the Mayans.

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