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 native of Shawano, Wisconsin, Jacob grew up on the Menominee Reservation, where he developed a love for video games and storytelling. That passion led him to UW-Stout, where he pursued a degree in computer science with a focus on game design. “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 Menominee 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 educator in Wisconsin, often searched for meaningful resources to help teach Act 31, the state requirement to educate students about Indigenous histories. When he had the opportunity to pitch a new project, he saw a chance to create something teachers could use and students could connect with.
Authenticity was integral to the development process. The project included a Menominee writer, multiple cultural advisors and Menominee language speakers who voiced characters. Nicholas Schwitzer, Jacob's twin brother and a UW-Stout BFA Animation graduate, served as character designer and ensured the characters reflected Menominee identity without relying on stereotypes. Jacob's younger brother contributed as a voice actor, and his mother helped shape the educator guide that accompanies the game.
“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. Players, including young Indigenous students, have seen themselves reflected in the characters and storylines. Teachers are using the game to meet Wisconsin’s Act 31 requirement to teach Indigenous histories, and players of all backgrounds are gaining a deeper understanding of Menominee culture and traditions.
Beyond the game, Jacob is excited about the future of public media in interactive storytelling and the growing opportunity to create games that focus on 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: A Menominee Homecoming is available on Steam and through web browsers via PBS Wisconsin and Nebraska Public Media.
