Interactivity and Audiovisuality of Computer Games. A Three-level Model of a Computer Game as Interaction

Abstract

The article presents an updated model of playing a computer game as the user’s interaction with its system, taking into consideration audiovisuality as the fundamental channel for computer-human communication. Interactivity is an inherent property of computer games, which clearly distinguishes them from other kinds of games: it is therefore a defining feature of computer games. On the other hand, audiovisuality is a necessary characteristic, following from the communication between the computer and its user, taking place mainly in the channel of synchronized image and sound, which is dominant in human perception. The point of departure for the model development is an analysis of human interaction with the machine which runs the game system; in the model, there is a dynamic change from interactivity of a computer game to a human being’s interaction with the computer while playing, which makes it possible to fully account for the complexity of the situation of playing a computer game. The presented model combines the ludic aspect of a computer game (interactive entertainment) with the capacity to convey messages (an audiovisual cultural text), and from a commmunicative perspective, it unambiguously assigns a human being the role of the subject using a computer game.