Deconstruction of Gender Values: A Sign Structure Analysis of the Indonesian Video Game “A Space for the Unbound”

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6239-612-8_10How to use a DOI?

Keywords

deconstruction; gender identity; Indonesian video game; A Space for the Unbound; Semiotic Square

Abstract

The advancement of the video game industry in Indonesia towards more complex narratives has significantly expanded its influence in the realm of culture, particularly regarding gender identity. This study examines gender representation within the narrative of the video game “A Space for the Unbound,” which showcases the dynamic relationship between its two protagonists, Atma and Raya. Employing a structuralist approach and Greimasian semiotics through analyzing ideology and power relations, this research explores how narrative aspects and video game mechanisms depict and deconstruct patriarchal gender norms. Initially, Atma and Raya embody traditional gender constructs—Atma is the masculine protector, and Raya is the passive feminine. However, as the narrative progresses, it is revealed that the game’s reality is a mental construction of Raya, reversing traditional power dynamics. By the game’s conclusion, Atma, controlled by the player, becomes a part of Raya’s memory, marking a subversion of prior gender stereotypes. This study reveals how “A Space for the Unbound” challenges and transforms perceptions of masculinity and femininity, delving into its impact on understanding gender relations within Indonesian society and contributing to a broader discourse on gender identity in media.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Alfiansyah Zulkarnain
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/03/18
TI  - Deconstruction of Gender Values: A Sign Structure Analysis of the Indonesian Video Game “A Space for the Unbound”
BT  - Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference and Exhibition of Innovation in Media and Visual Design (IMDES 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 117
EP  - 129
SN  - 2667-128X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-612-8_10
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-612-8_10
ID  - Zulkarnain2026
ER  -