Codes and Conventions

Write down what you think codes and conventions may mean.

Things commonly used in games.

CODES DEFINITION

Codes are signs within a media text that give clues to the text’s meaning.

Three categories of CODES

1. Visual
2. Audio
3. Technical

CONVENTIONS DEFINITION

Conventions are a widely recognised way of doing something.

VISUAL CODES

Clothing Tells us about the person wearing it and therefore we

understand the role of the character.

Expression Expressions can help us easily understand the message of a

text.

Gesture Gesture is a nonverbal communicator. It tells us about a

character and their role and may even tell us the genre of a
game.

Use of colour Colour means a lot to us and it’s easy to convey meanings
quickly by using them.

Technique The way in which a text is put together may carry connotations.
Think about black and white photography. Does it suggest
sophistication?

Iconography This means when an object denotes something larger than itself.
It becomes an icon. Think of big ben, does it make you think of
the clock or of London?

Images Images are a great way to analyse who the target audience
may be.

Graphic These are always important and will often convey meaning
about the narrative/story and style of text. Typography may
also give clues about genre.
 The bridge in the background shows that the game takes place in San Francisco. The
red stands out because the other colours are dull and it shows the North Korean flag.

Technical CODES - Print

Technical CODES – Moving Image
 Dialogue How a character talks to you or other
characters and the lexis (language)
they use can anchor a text to a specific
genre.

Sound effects Add realism, explain genre and support

action.

Music Suggests genre and helps manipulate

audience feeling.

Voice over Easy way to establish genre through

explanation and lexis.

MAX PAYNE ANALYSIS

Brightly coloured echoed shots stood out because they made the scene more interesting and the bright colours
stand out against the dull colours that reflect his mood. A lot of jump cuts that show the passing of time.
Unemotional voice that tells you something has happened to him recently. Close ups show emotional shots.

Audio CODES
Outlast ANALYSIS

TASK
Roughly sketch out a design for the cover of Red Dead Redemption 2.

Annotate what codes and conventions you are using/have chosen and briefly explain
your choices.
You can complete the task by hand or on the computers.
This is just a practice exercise your drawings don’t have to be top notch!!!