semiotics and systems
DESCRIPTION
Semiotics and Systems. Assigned readings: Chapters 4 & 5 (Rules of Play Book). Dr. H é ctor Mu ñ oz-Avila. Semiotics (not “ symbology ”). The study of how meanings are made Created by a linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (early 1900s) Example: symbols in rock-paper-scissors - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Semiotics and Systems
Dr. Héctor Muñoz-Avila
Assigned readings:Chapters 4 & 5 (Rules of Play Book)
Semiotics(not “symbology”)
• The study of how meanings are made• Created by a linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (early
1900s)• Example: symbols in rock-paper-scissors• Another examples: classes in a game (mage, warrior)
– What does a “mage” represents? And a warrior?• Four semiotic concepts:
– Sign represents something other than itself– Signs are interpreted– Meaning results when a sign is interpreted– Context shapes interpretation
Sign represents something other than itself
• What is the meaning of “O” in Tic-Tac-Toe?
• Another Example: “!”
• Games use signs to denote actions and outcome (falling king in chess, this one)
• Chains of signifiers: sequences of signs
• Examples?
• Words (sequences of characters)
Signs are interpreted
• Signs are assigned meaning because of surrounding context not because of the signs themselves
• Players are active interpreters of signs in games
• Example:
Meaning results when a sign is interpreted
• A sign stands for something to somebody in some aspect or capacity
• Other example: the role of a warrior or a mage in an MMO game
– And perceived meaning is controversial (designer versus some players)
• Paladins in WOW: clerics or holy warriors?
Context shape interpretation
• Designer creates a context for the participant from which meaning emerges
• Classical example: word in a phrase
• Structure: set of regulations or guidelines that prescribe how signs are interpreted (example)
Side Track: Lore: Designing ContextPay for a License or Not
Use popular lore Licensing popular lore
Create own lore
Advantages/disadvantages of picking one over the other one?
Systems: Various Definitions
• A group of interrelated elements forming a complex whole (biological systems)
• A functionally related group of elements or components (computer)
• An organized set of ideas or principles (government)
• Commonality of these definitions:Parts Whole
• Is a game a system?
Elements of a System
• Parts affect one another within an environment – Forming a pattern that is different from its parts
• Four parts of a system
– Objects – Attributes (properties)– Internal relationships – Environment
• 3 dimensions
• Formal system• Experiential system• Cultural system
Elements of a System• Example: Chess
Formal system
Experiential system
Cultural system
Objects
Attributes (properties)
Internal relationships
Environment
• Another example: Space Invaders! (culture)• Other examples (Game Culture)?
Pieces, board
Rules: moving pieces, win, draw, capture
Actual positions: defend, threat
Actual game play
The players
Pieces player controls
Strategic interaction, psychologicalContext of play: I am smarter than u!
The game as a whole
Simulated warfare
Pawn vs kingQueen vs king
Big Blue, Larry King, Gary Kasparov
Framing Systems
• Hierarchical and interrelated dimensions– Formal rules are embedded in a system of play– System of play is embedded in the culture
• Example 1: Videogames in Germany• Example 2:
– GTA controversy: • culture or stereotype?• Fiction or reality?• Influence behavior?
So designing a game is more than just defining rules because these rules are experienced with in a cultural context
Open and Close Systems
• Closed system: no interchange with the environment
– Chess as a formal system
• Open system: affects and is affected by environment
– Chess as a cultural system
• The experiential system is both open and closed
Administrative
• Design Analysis: groups games