Jacob Schwitzer '20 is changing the way people experience culture, storytelling and connection through video games. His game Powwow Bound: A Menominee Homecoming immerses players in the story of a Menominee family returning to their reservation for the Annual Contest Powwow. Along the way, players explore language, family and tradition, guided by a story that is both deeply personal and culturally authentic. For Schwitzer, the project wasn’t just about creating a game. “I hope Native students feel seen in a medium that doesn’t often share our stories,” Schwitzer says. “And I hope others gain a deeper understanding of what modern Indigenous life looks like.”
His path to creating meaningful, community-centered games began long before the release. A First Descendant of the Menominee Nation, Jacob developed a love for video games and storytelling as he grew up on the Menominee Reservation. That passion led him to UW-Stout, where he pursued a degree in computer science with a concentration in game design and development. “Stout really stood out because it had one of the top game design programs in the United States,” he says. “I was excited to be part of a place that combined hands-on learning with industry preparation.”
At Stout, Jacob thrived in game design courses that taught both technical skills and collaboration. He recalls classes where he worked alongside students with different expertise, from art to audio, learning to communicate and develop shared visions. Lab-based projects allowed him to build a game every year, creating a portfolio that would prove crucial in launching his career. Internships, including one with the College of Menominee Nation's Sustainable Development Institute creating VR applications about climate change impacts, gave him the chance to use his skills to directly serve his community.
After graduating in May 2020, he secured a position with Nebraska Public Media, where he works as a programmer developing interactive projects.
The idea for Powwow Bound grew out of conversations at home. Schwitzer’s mother, an Indigenous educator in Wisconsin, often searched for meaningful resources to help teach Act 31, Wisconsin’s requirement to educate students about Indigenous histories. When he had the opportunity to pitch a new project, he recognized a chance to create something both practical for teachers and meaningful for students.
Community collaboration and authenticity were integral to the development process. A Menominee writer, cultural advisers and Menominee language speakers helped ensure accuracy and depth. Nicholas Schwitzer, Jacob’s twin brother and fellow UW-Stout alumnus with a BFA in entertainment design: comics and sequential art, served as character designer, making sure the characters reflected Menominee identity without relying on stereotypes. His younger brother Matthew lent his voice to the project, and his mother, Lela, helped develop the accompanying educator guide.
“The game would be lesser if it was just my voice,” Schwitzer says. “Being able to build this with my community made it stronger.”
The impact of the game has been immediate. Young Indigenous players have seen themselves represented in its characters and storylines, while educators are using it to support Act 31 instruction. Players of all backgrounds are gaining a deeper understanding of Menominee culture and traditions.
Beyond Powwow Bound, Schwitzer has contributed to several other public media games. He worked as a programmer on Expedition Nebraska, a virtual museum experience highlighting the state’s anthropology and fossil history, and on the Steam release of Civics Scribble, a line-drawing trivia game based on the U.S. naturalization exam. As he looks ahead, Schwitzer is excited about the growing role of public media in interactive storytelling and the opportunity to create games rooted in community and lived experiences. While large studios often prioritize scale and profit, smaller teams can center stories that might otherwise go untold. “We can focus on community-based games that highlight aspects of life and culture that the larger industry often overlooks,” he says. “It creates connection, understanding and meaning through interactive experiences.”
Reflecting on his journey, Jacob attributes much of his success to the preparation he received at UW-Stout. “Stout gives students the hands-on experience and confidence to take initiative, try new things and learn by doing,” he says. “Being able to take what I learned and create something meaningful for my community is incredibly rewarding, and that’s what makes me #StoutProud.”
Powwow Bound
Powwow Bound Website
Powwow Bound Steam Page
Expedition Nebraska
Expedition Nebraska Steam Page
Civics Scribble
Civics Scribble Steam Page
