Embodied functions and symbolic meaning of eyewear items in varied game environments

This study examines the functional roles of eyewear items across three distinct game environments – PvX (hybrid PvP-PvE), PvP (player versus player), and PvE (player versus environment) – analyzing their relationship with real-world eyewear. Hierarchical clustering and text mining techniques are used to categorize eyewear items according to their functional roles in gaming environments. PvX eyewear items integrate PvP-oriented combat functions (e.g., dexterity, luck) with PvE-oriented conventional functions (e.g., collection, detection, intelligence), thereby enabling seamless adaptation to hybrid gameplay environments. PvP eyewear items support combat efficiency and display minimal association with the conventional meanings of real-world eyewear. PvE eyewear items support exploration and resource management and align with the conventional meanings of real-world eyewear. These functional meanings differ across PvX, PvP, and PvE environments as each emphasizes distinct gameplay priorities. These interactions demonstrate how eyewear items mediate the adaptation of real-world meanings within game environments. Therefore, game items are reconstructed by the interaction between game environments and conventional meanings. The meanings of game items are primarily shaped by the game’s core content and environment, with real-world meanings playing a supplementary role.