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