Slayed230124ariataylorandalyxstarpound [work] ✮

The rise of live‑streaming platforms and competitive multiplayer games has fostered a new ecology of performative digital identities. This paper investigates three high‑visibility gamer personas— Slayed230124 , Ariataylor , and AlyxStarPound —to understand how self‑presentation, community interaction, and monetization intersect in the creation of “gaming celebrity.” Drawing on a mixed‑methods approach that combines netnographic observation, discourse analysis of chat logs, and semi‑structured interviews (n = 12) with followers, the study reveals three central mechanisms: (1) curated skill exhibition, (2) narrative self‑construction through personal branding, and (3) reciprocal economy of fan‑generated value. Findings suggest that these mechanisms reinforce a feedback loop that amplifies visibility while simultaneously shaping community norms around authenticity, competition, and affective labor. The paper concludes with implications for platform governance, creator‑economy sustainability, and future research on digital performativity.