Dazed XP is a new series where we go deep on all things video games – consoles v PC, iconic video game characters, gaming bugbears and stereotypes, or retro faves.

The cosplays of Eleanor Barnes (best known as Snitchery) are described, in her own words, as a chaotic image of all that is nerdy. Having started her journey into cosplay in 2018, Snitchery has made her mark transforming herself into some of pop culture’s most iconic characters. From a biblical accurate Kirby to a yassified Colonel Sanders, the cosplayer puts a new, raunchy twist on some of our childhood faves.

More recently, Snitchery has brought her shapeshifting prowess to the screen, featuring in fellow cosplayer and creative Kiera Please’s concept short film, bringing the graphic novel character Lottie Person, from Leslie Hung and Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Snotgirl to life.

Being so heavily situated in the realm of anime, comic books and other geeky aspects of pop culture, it’s not too surprising that gaming is a love of hers, too. “I’ve played video games every day, for hours, for years,” she tells Dazed. “I used to be a hardcore platformer and collect-a-thon girl. That, or cozy games like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley. I tend to like whimsical environments and characters in my games over realistic design and graphics.”

With video games still perceived as an elusive interest, confined to the upper echelons of angsty teenage boyhood, it can be hard to find your footing as a casual gamer – even for someone like Snitchery. “I still have a difficult time calling myself a gamer just because I don’t do it publicly, don’t have the big PC set up or the cute headphones,” she admits. Even so, she is truly a gamer girl at heart. Here, she takes Dazed through all of her gaming obsessions and hot takes.

FIRST VIDEO GAME LOVE 

Snitchery: Pokémon Ruby. I must have poured 600-plus hours as a little kid into this one! Levelling everyone up to 100 and hunting for shinies. 20 years later I still love collecting in games.

BEST GAMING ERA

Snitchery: I miss the GameCube, and the clunky 3D and ‘open world’ attempts in every major franchise that came with it. Pokemon DX and Colosseum, Sonic Adventure, Super Mario Sunshine. I’ve been collecting GameCube games this year actually because I miss them so much.

TRUE GAMING STEREOTYPE

Snitchery: Women are better at video games, it’s true!

FAV GAMING TREND 

Snitchery: I’ve been getting more and more into subtly unsettling games. Stuff like Bugsnax. I’m not really into gore, so the trend of hiding psychological horror behind cutesy graphics is fun for me. I’ve always loved seeing the slow return of couch co-op.

ONE GAME, REST OF LIFE?

Snitchery: Sadly… probably Fortnite.

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