Preserving Language Through Play: The World’s First Ume Sámi Computer Game in Development
In what may well be a world first, a groundbreaking computer game entirely in Ume Sámi (ubmejesámiengiälla) is currently in development.
In what may well be a world first, a groundbreaking computer game entirely in Ume Sámi (ubmejesámiengiälla) is currently in development – and it promises to be a powerful new way to preserve and revitalise one of the world’s most critically endangered languages.
This innovative project is being developed within the N-LITE initiative, funded by the EU through the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme, and led by N-LITE partners Region Västerbotten (Sweden) and KAMK – Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (Finland).
Recently, the team was in Suorssá/Sorsele for an unforgettable Motion Capture session, where characters were brought to life with help from local youth, talented actors, the game’s creative team, and the fantastic folks at Suorsán girjjievuarkká/Sorsele Library.
The energy was palpable. For many of the young participants, it was their first time experiencing motion capture – and the excitement was real:
“It was exciting and fun because no one had done it before. I'm excited to see the final result!”
“The game will be a new way to learn Ume Sámi – and I’m so proud to be part of it!”
At the heart of the game lies a powerful story, written by Anna Nutti Wiandt and Sara Ajnnak. Set along the majestic Vindelälven River, the narrative follows a young protagonist who stumbles upon a long-forgotten Sámi drum in an attic. Having been removed from Sápmi for centuries, the drum’s traditional symbols have lost their power. The player’s mission? To journey through challenges and puzzles that will restore the drum’s sacred strength – and, along the way, reconnect with language, culture, and place.
What makes the story even more poignant is that the drum featured in the game is based on a real artefact. Once confiscated in the 18th century, it was kept in a French museum before being loaned to the Ájtte Museum in Jokkmokk in 2024. It has not yet been permanently returned to Sápmi, but ongoing efforts are being made to bring it home for good. If this game can play even a small role in supporting that process, it would be a meaningful achievement.
A New Kind of Learning Experience
This game is not just about entertainment – it represents an entirely new approach to language learning and cultural preservation. Ume Sámi is spoken by only a handful of people today and is listed by UNESCO as one of the world’s most critically endangered languages. By embedding the language in a rich, story-driven digital world, the game aims to reach younger generations in an accessible, emotionally resonant way.
Through the N-LITE project, cultural creators across the Northern Periphery and Arctic are being supported to explore immersive technologies – including game development, XR, and digital storytelling – to create new literary experiences rooted in place, heritage, and identity.
This Ume Sámi game is a shining example of what’s possible when innovation, tradition, and community come together. It’s more than a game – it’s a digital bridge between generations, places, and languages.
