Semiotic Analysis: Minecraft

Semiotic Analysis: Minecraft 

For this semiotic analysis, we will be taking a look at one of the most beloved video games: Minecraft. Specifically, we will be looking at the trailer for the 1.15 update entitled "Buzzy Bees." Released December 10th, 2019, the "Buzzy Bees" Minecraft update added a whole new world and species of bees into the game. In this trailer, we will be identifying a symbolic sign, iconic sign, indexical sign, and ideological sign.

Symbolic Sign- In the trailer, we see a character with a purple robe, big nose, purple eyes, and a pointed black hat. In many cultures, a pointed hat, or a witch hat, is a symbol typically used to represent a witch or a warlock. 

Iconic Sign- Near the end of the trailer, the bees are seen to possess red eyes which are typically displayed as blue. On the color wheel, the color red is typically associated with anger and harshness. From that understanding, we can interpret that the bees are angry or upset. In a different context, the color red also can be an indication of love and all things warm and fuzzy.

Indexical Sign- Midway through the trailer, we can see that the villager characters in the game are holding what seems to be glass bottles with yellow stuff in them, or honey. Because honey can only be harvested from honeycombs, we can assume that there are beehives near the village.

Ideological Sign- Throughout the trailer, it is a common theme that bees provide substantial benefits to the villagers lives. For example, the bees pollinate the crops, which in turn grow. The honey and honeycombs also are seen to contribute to the market within the village. In American agriculture, bees are one of the most important tools for pollination. "From apples and squash to buckwheat and coffee, bees are responsible for pollinating most of the fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts that are essential to our diets. Honeybees in particular play a huge role in agriculture, contributing over $15 billion to the value of US crop production"(The Bee Conservancy). Culturally, bees are universally accepted as a species that needs protection. 

“Why Bees?” The Bee Conservancy, 19 Oct. 2023, thebeeconservancy.org/why-bees/.