RL2 On Xbox To Feature The Haka

Game developer Sidhe Interactive and Ngāti Kimihia Hāpu (sub-tribe) of Ngāti Toa Rangatira announced today that Sidhe’s upcoming videogame title “Rugby League 2” for Xbox would feature the traditional Māori Haka known as Ka Mate.

Ngāti Kimihia are the guardians of the haka Ka Mate originally composed by their chief Te Rauparaha around 1820.

“As New Zealanders, we were passionate about including Ka Mate in the title to enrich the gaming experience” said Mario Wynands, Managing Director of Sidhe Interactive, “However, we were also conscious that we needed to ensure the tradition was presented with integrity and in a respectful way.”

Sidhe Interactive consulted with the Ngāti Kimihia hapu at length to ensure both the accuracy of Ka Mate within the game and obtain tribal approval. Ignite Studios acted as advisor to the collaboration and produced the haka component - traditionally trained specialists were sourced to record the vocals and perform motion captured actions. In the game, Ka Mate is performed by computer animated representations of the New Zealand national rugby league team, the Kiwis, before international matches. Ngāti Toa Rangatira elders reviewed and approved the final result.

“This is a unique opportunity for Ngāti Kimihia to exercise ‘mana’ (authority) over their treasured haka Ka Mate in the modern multi-media digital world” said Ngāti Toa Rangatira spokesperson Oriwa Solomon, “It is hoped that this will be a template for future collaborative arrangements between Ngāti Kimihia and other parties wishing to use or currently using Ka Mate. Ngāti Kimihia thanks Sidhe for their ‘koha’ (gift) of a computer and work experience opportunity for one of our youth. Sidhe should be applauded for acknowledging Ngāti Kimihia and Ngāti Toa as the rightful owners of Ka Mate and that the ownership of cultural Intellectual Property resides with their indigenous communities of origin.”

Rugby League 2 for Xbox will be released in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe on 13 July 2006 under "Tru Blu Games", the publishing division of HES. The game is currently available for the PlayStation 2 and PC platforms which do not include Ka Mate, but were the number one selling videogames in Australasia at release in December 2005.

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