Laura Vawter

Exploring the Nature of Gaming Language Through A Multi-Layer Semiotic Analysis of Gaming Lexemes : [research data]

University of Rostock, 2026

https://doi.org/10.18453/rosdok_id00005768

Abstract: This data is connected to the named paper investigating the characteristics of gaming language, the nature of its complexity, and its relationship to player interaction and player experiences. This paper adapts a multi-model lexical analysis framework found in Digital Humanities to the exploration of the semiotic nature of lexemes found in gaming scenarios in live gaming sessions of five selected titles. The analysis highlights the complexity of isolating tokens indicative of game events, objects, characters, and environment in virtual spaces, and the actions of players within those spaces. Lexeme frequency, word class, semantic field, and semantic tags of the isolated tokens are discussed and presented using data visualization techniques. The relationship between the nature of player interactions, player backgrounds, and language practices is also discussed. The results of the analysis highlight the necessity of interdisciplinary, multi-layered lexical analysis of player experience and virtual gaming spaces.

data publication   free access