Pragmatic socialization through gameplay directives: Multimodal conversation analysis of avatar-embodied interactions

This article explores the pragmatic socialization of peers into the virtual world using gameplay directives. The researcher integrates pragmatics and multimodal conversation analysis in the study of online gameplay discourse between experienced and novice players. The analyses highlight the participants’ indexical reframing of the gameplay activities, shifting forcefully compelled verbal imperatives into playfully fashioned directive trajectories of avatar-embodied interactions. The results suggest a broadening of directive strategies through contingent instructions and multiple forms of play for the development of gameplay skills and communicative actions.