Casual Core

Not sure if the "portrait" category is quite appropriate, but it is a rendering of myself in a way, so I guess I can change the category if I feel like it doesn't fit.

This was my submission for the first project of my Illustration class. It's the only open-ended assignment in terms of subject matter and format for this semester, so I figured I'd take advantage.

I often see people online debating about "casual" games and "hardcore" or "mature" games. Yet I think it's all silly, really, because casual or hardcore/mature really has absolutely nothing to do with the games you play. You can be a casual gamer and play games like Halo, God of War or Call of Duty, just as you can be a hardcore gamer and play Mario or Super Smash Bros. It has everything to do HOW you play games.

I refuse to categorize myself strictly into either. For me, I am a casual gamer and a hardcore gamer at once. I am casual because I often enjoy playing games solely for the enjoyment of company. And hardcore, because whenever I play a game, I make it a point to master it and become proficient.

This piece is meant to poke fun at the "casual/hardcore" debate; to show how silly it is. It also represents myself as a gamer, enjoying casual (often equated with Wii) and hardcore experiences. The style is reminiscent of the old Twister box art. Yeah, that twister.

Rendered in Photoshop CS4, making good use of a set of brush presets by Chris Whal.

I'm not all too experienced with digital painting, so I'm gonna ask for some constructive criticism. I do intend to revisit this piece at a later date to touch it up and improve it, since I'm not satisfied with it at it's current form. But deadlines are deadlines.