Semiotic systems in the videogame Fallout: New Vegas

Abstract

This paper aims to associate the concept of meaningful playful interaction with the emergence (semiosis) of complexity (genuine interpretant) in the videogame Fallout: New Vegas. Based on the philosophy of Charles S. Peirce, we present video games as systems of signs. This systemic-semiotic vision has already been discussed by Jorge Vieira (2008, 2015). We also have Salen and Zimmerman (2012abc), who approach video games as complex systems. The videogames only generate genuine interpretants if there is meaningful playful interaction, which consists of gameplay with purpose and continuity. The non-occurrence of meaningful playful interaction, in Peircian terms, means that there are only quasi-semiosis, which are devoid of thirdness.