Action Led- Apply Media Language- Barthes

Action-Led Games: Barthes’s Theory

Roland Barthes was a French literary theorist who applied his analyses mainly to literature and social signs. He introduced the concepts of denotation and connotation, linguistic terms used to describe the meanings of signs.
For action-led video games, Barthes’s concepts can be used to understand the depth of storytelling and symbolism in the game’s environment and mechanics.

Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols, their use or interpretation. All games can be thought of as texts to be read, with the player acting as the reader.
In an action-led game, semiotic analysis would look at elements like character designs, control schemes, game physics, visual scenes, and audio cues as signs with their own denotation and connotation.
The denotation is the literal, direct meaning of a sign. For instance, in a game, a health pack would denote an item that restores the player’s health.
More interestingly, the connotation refers to the associations and cultural meanings tied to a sign. For example, a health pack might connote a chance for the player to take more risks or might evoke a sense of relief and security.

Enigma codes are aspects of a game that create mystery, suspense, or questions that the player wants to resolve. In an action-led game, this might be a cryptic message from a character, an inaccessible area, or a teaser for an upcoming boss fight.
Action codes are the commonly understood conventions that help players understand what’s happening in a game. Action codes in action-led games could include visual cues for an enemy target, audio cues for an item pick-up, or appearances of certain characters designating a plot progression, among others.
Both enigma and action codes engage players in the game’s narrative, motivating them to continue playing to resolve enigmas and understand the significance of various action codes.

Symbolic codes refer to elements in the game that have deeper, symbolic meaning. For instance, the repeated use of a certain colour or design might symbolise a key theme or idea in the game.
Proairetic codes are action sequences that imply further sequences of action. In video games, these could be sequences that suggest the player is about to enter a combat scenario, solve a puzzle or approach a crucial plot point.
A good understanding of these codes can help players anticipate and respond to game events, deepening their engagement with both gameplay and narrative.