Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Wordplay looks at games dif erently. Wordplay is predicated on identify-
ing ways in which video games persuade, create identifi cations, and circu-
late meanings. This process of investigating video games leads to paying
more attention to three crucial elements of video games: words, design, and
play. The words in and surrounding video games are of particular interest
to rhetoricians whose tools are well designed to analyze texts composed
of words. The design of video games and the society surrounding games
shapes the terms of play and represent elements of procedurality often spe-
cifi c to the processes of video games. Play addresses who uses games, how
they play, and what they play. Play cuts across design and words, empha-
sizing that video games come into existence through a particular form of
doing and a necessary set of actions.
Traditional rhetorical analysis handles words well, but is not always used
in a way that respects the dynamic impacts of design and play on video
games. Procedural rhetoric handles design well and can address play, but
is prone to ignore the powerful impact of words. Game studies addresses
play and design, but does not of er wordplay's strength in addressing the
role of words. In analyzing words, design, and play, wordplay of ers a way
to analyze the whole of the discourse of video games.
The chapters throughout this topic emphasize the context and text of
games, elements that can be seen in words, design, and play. With the spe-
cifi cs of several examples in hand, it is appropriate to look more deeply at
how to apply wordplay and how it helps explicate the broader terrain of
video games. Working from smaller, more discrete examples, focus can be
placed on notable elements of video games and why understanding their
rhetorical construction is important.
WORDS
Words are at the foundation of both wordplay and video games. Words are
the heart of many games, of ering narrative structures and immersive depth
to develop a character like Niko Bellic. There are other cases, like welfare
epics or theorycraft, where words from outside a game impact the design
and play within the game. Words are a key part of what makes video games
