The Super Swipers like to play games, but they don’t want it to define them. Their approach to gaming is one of casual recreation, driven primarily by the fact that they’re either fairly new to the gaming scene or haven’t played consistently for a while.

With broad strokes and bold colors, the ubiquity of smart devices and the growing popularity of mobile games is examined in this lighthearted painting. The couple in focus represents the Super Swiper gaming segment as they take a short intermission during a night at the theater. Here at the center of a packed floor, they find the opportunity to enjoy a little Candy Crush action. This brief moment of play not only brings a little levity to what looks like a stuffy room, but it actually transforms the pair into the game’s Mr. Toffee and Tiffi, illustrating the influence that puzzle games have on a population that is investing more of its time in an already crowded entertainment space.

Just because you play games, doesn’t mean you identify as a gamer. Denialists, who represent one in every ten gamers, enjoy playing games but don’t associate themselves with the negative connotations they believe surround gamers. Although they dedicate a significant amount of their week to gaming, Denialists are still more likely than other segments to question gaming as part of their identity.

Combining elements from Roman mythology with a pop art aesthetic, this piece tells the story of the conflicted Denialist. Referencing Janus, the dual-faced ancient Roman god of beginnings and endings, the gamer’s two faces represent the deep seeded emotions that are constantly at odds and fighting for attention. On one side is the human form, the obedient steward of the real world, guided by his earthly responsibilities. On the other is the gamer who has taken shape as the powerful Thrall, driven only to conquer and destroy the digital World of Warcraft. Although they are diametrically opposed, the two personalities exist in a strangely symbiotic relationship, a testament to this unique and complex gamer identity.

The Dabblers have played games on and off over the past two decades and continue to include gaming on their list of hobbies. They spend time learning and exploring video games independently several times a week, and find small ways to fit in gaming throughout the day. Despite genuine interest in gaming and their years of engagement, these players still think that their play isn’t deep enough to warrant self-identification.

A portrait of a Dabbler is constructed through this collage. Special attention was paid to the personal items selected to create the larger picture and serve as a subtext that helps to define a category of gamer who is often reluctant to be defined. The various objects that make up the woman’s image are taken from a wide array of hobbies and activities that contribute to her self-identity. From a tattered volleyball to an old instant photo camera, all the way to a vintage video game controller. The free spirit nature of this person is emphasized further by the loose and almost improvised grouping of the objects. But it’s these imperfect arrangements that strengthen the message of the individuality and spontaneous nature of this audience.

This group owns the gamer label, but the label doesn’t impact their sense of self. They reject popular misconceptions about gamers, yet they’re also unlikely to highly associate positive attributes to gamers. For Lifestylists, gaming makes them a part of a community, but it isn’t singular in adding definition to their lives.

In this thoughtful study of the multi-faceted nature of the Lifestylist, the urban art style of spray paint and stencil popularized by London street artists in the 1990’s is employed to make a profound statement about the persona, or more appropriately the personas, of this self-identified gamer with simultaneous professional and personal pursuits. The subject in the piece takes an introspective tour to explore the different facets of his own life. The journey of enlightenment begins as a man contemplates his various reflections, from a doting father with his daughter on his shoulders to the lethal Genji from Overwatch with weapons strapped to his back, to the casual athlete shooting hoops in the gym. The result is a cerebral work of art that makes a statement that there is more than just one impression of the Lifestylist gamer.            

This is the group that most people think of when they hear the word ‘gamer.’ These gamers don’t just like to play, they love it. They are young, game wherever and whenever they can, and spend frequently and spend big on their love for gaming.

The Player Ones persona takes shape as Nike the Greek goddess of victory in this contemporary reinterpretation of the iconic Winged Victory of Samothrace. Driven by the desire to escape the grips of reality, she spreads her wings and takes flight leaving behind the terrestrial world in pursuit of adventure, fantasy and a connection to a gaming community forged from quests and battles. Although this fantastical world exists through gameplay, it literally occupies the mind of the player. The sculpture’s head has been replaced with a surreal representation of the video game world she frequently visits, proving that gaming isn’t a pastime to this group, but a way of life.

Small, yet mighty, the Next Levelers are the most devoted members of the gaming community. Ask them about a video game character or the lore of a gaming franchise storyline and you’ll see the full depth of their gaming knowledge. Gaming is their most valued past-time and a daily personal passion.    

Known for its dramatic performances, it’s only fitting that the Kabuki theater would be the backdrop for this art piece by artist Hidetaka Konishi. Through the use of centuries-old Japanese woodblock print, the epic showdown between two dominant esport teams made up of Next Levelers is captured in glorious detail. Here on the grand stage the artist expertly captures the action as characters from Overwatch are brought to life by master players and battle in front of a raucous legion of fans. Not only does this work of art demonstrate the pinnacle of gaming, it shows the growing popularity of esport leagues.

This installation symbolizes the new and ever-changing face of the gaming community and challenges you to rethink your perception of what a gamer looks like. From a casual participant looking to have fun with their family, to a passionate player focused on conquering the esports world, no two gamers are the same. In reality the gaming audience is a diverse and robust group that stretches across all ages, genders and socio-economic groups.