It’s one thing to be a kiwi studio, but it’s another to really embrace what that is. Well the iconic Mini Motorways is getting an update to celebrate one of Aotearoa NZ’s best weeks of celebration! Te Wiki o te Reo Maori!
Check it out in the game, or read below for how they really put in the effort to do thing the right way!
Mini Motorways has reached over 9 million players worldwide, through available platforms including Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch, Steam and more. n the lead up to Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, celebrating how Aotearoa’s official language is a gift to the people, not only here but overseas too, the award-winning and BAFTA-nominated studio based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara are launching a full the reo Māori localisation as part of the globally successful online game. In an innovative display of our official language, players around the world will be able to experience the te reo Māori integration of the game, not just local players in Aotearoa.
Dinosaur Polo Club was founded in 2013 by bothers Peter and Robert Curry, and their studio has created Mini Motorways (their second game), and also critically acclaimed, exploring minimalism subway design and yet deceptively complex to challenge gamers on designing an efficient road network. During Te Wiki o te reo Māori, this update will launch to include full te reo Māori localisation and translation within the game.
This isn’t just a language pack and their team have worked closely with Kristin Smith (Kūwaha) – te Reo Māori translator – who translated the game’s text, as well as Shalee Fitzsimmons – head of art, and leads D.P.C.’s Māori and Tikanga initiatives.
Kristin also has gifted the game its reo name. – Rori Riki, reflecting genuine cultural partnership rather than a surface-level translation. The studio worked directly with Kristin to ensure authenticity and quality across all in-game text and interface elements.
