Reference and blending in a computer role-playing game

Abstract

In this paper, we give an account of reference and blending in the computer role-playing game (CRPG) Icewind Dale II in light of the theories of mental spaces and conceptual integration networks [G. Fauconnier, M. Turner, The Way We Think: Conceptual Blending and the Mind’s Hidden Complexities, Basic Books, New York, 2002]. Focusing on the behaviour of the pronominals “me” and “you”, we demonstrate firstly, that the traditional accounts fail to adequately explain pronominal referential ambiguity in CRPG discourse fragments. In view of this, we argue for a more efficacious approach (grounded in mental spaces and conceptual integration networks) which shows a blending of the player and the character entities over the computer-mediated role-playing platform. Secondly, we note that the complex lattice of conceptual integration networks from which blending is observed facilitates immersiveness in computer role-playing and, more significantly, gives rise to an understanding of pronominal reference where identity is pluralised, distributed and dynamic.