In this paper a semiotic approach to video games will be presented. Structuralist semiotic notion of text will be crit-icized for being unable to account for the nonlinear and un-stable nature of interactive ludic objects, and Rastier's [9] paradigm will be adopted. Integrating it with recent pro-posals in semantic of perception [4], a sketch for a semantic and semiotic analytic methodology for computer games will be outlined. Such methodology will be field-tested on the computer game flOw [1]. Read more...

This paper examines the perceptual antecedents of the appeal of online computer games from the users' perspective. It proposes a framework that links the perceived ease of use, perceived entertainment, and perceived irritation with the appeal of an online computer game, measured through attitude toward the game and the user's intention to play again. Results from a field study indicate that the three proposed perceptual antecedents explain over 60 per cent of variance in both attitude and intention to return. This research demonstrates that factors contributing to user perceptions of online games are important aspects of computer game development. Further research through experimental studies is also advocated. Read more...