Download Fun

Meaning
Robin Burke
 GAM 224
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Outline
Admin
 Meaning
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Systems of meaning
In-class exercise
Admin
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Quiz #2 (Play unit)
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Wednesday
"Play" paper due in 1 week
Meaning review
Meaning is created by the
interpretation of signifiers in context
 A game designer
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creates a new context
 with new meanings
 using particular signifiers
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Systems of meaning
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Individual signifiers
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System of signifiers
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"green color" means "poisoned"
whole set of icons for different status
conditions
When a new icon appears
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players has to try to understand what
it might mean
Play of meaning
The way in which the game invites the
player to use its system of signs
 Activities

interpreting signs
 learning new signs
 looking for signs
 sometimes inventing signs

Assassin
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The clown nose
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means "an 'assassin' is out to get
somebody"
means "I'm metaphorically disguised"
means "I'm playing the game"
People fleeing
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means "I'm playing the game"
means "I'm escaping an in-game threat"
How am I doing?
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Players need feedback about success
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local
global
Individual signs (should) communicate local
success
Global success is more holistic
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percent of map discovered
weapons
abilities
missions accomplished
ease of defeating enemies
Play with meaning
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Sometimes games invite play with meaning
Signs with conventional meaning are
subverted
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dissonance between the conventional
meaning and the game's meaning
Examples
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Spin the Bottle
• a kiss signifies?

Grand Theft Auto
• carjacking signifies?
Game Metacommunication
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Meta
 (beyond or behind)
The communication about the game
 as opposed to the communication required in order to
play
How do we know that we are playing
 constant stream of communicative acts required to
keep play going
 to signal involvement
 focus of attention
 readiness of participation
 game-appropriate demeanor
Exercise
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
Hearts
Transform the semiotics of winning
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from mental
• how many points have I taken?
• how many points have others taken?
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to physical
• what is my board position?
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Important
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Do not ignore the "shoot the moon" win
condition
This must also be represented on the board