Endorphina Pulls Maori Themed Game Amid Controversy

This story was published more than 7 years ago.

European game developer Endorphina has announced that they've decided to pull a Maori-themed video slot that violated Maori intellectual property rights.

The group had originally launched the slot last year, but it quickly drew scorn from New Zealanders and those of Maori descent. The game company was eventually contacted by a law firm representing Hapai Te Hauroam a health agency in the area, who told the group of the offending content. Speaking about the offensive imagery, Hapai CEO Lance Norman said, "They were using Maori warriors. And when you won, if you got three or four in a row, it would actually come up into a Maori haka which is the intellectual property of Ngati Toa. Maori intellectual property has been used as comforting and familiar inducements, with the potential to lure vulnerable people to online gambling."

To their credit, Endorphina worked quickly to remove the game, with company apologizing for any offense that may have been taken by the Maori people.

About the author

Jeremy Wilson // Senior Editor
Jeremy Wilson
Jeremy has senior editorial responsibilities across all areas of the site. He lives in Sydney, Australia and has been working with Casino Listings in various roles since its inception in 2007. His go-to game is Blackjack.
1 reply • Last post

Comments

bgsharpe
Forum AngelForum Angel
sharpe's picture
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Joined: 4 Nov 2014
Posts: 7646
Thanks given: 4239
Thanks received: 1165
23 February 2017 - 12:32am
#1

Well you don't know what kind of rules you can break when you creating a game these days, hopefully New Zealand national side in whatever sport has the right to use the Maori haca.
Also not sure why this is offensive, maybe because Endorphina didn't paid for the rights?