EAST COAST GAMERS

About Us / Brand / Mission

We are a brand created by gamers for gamers. Our mission is to create high-quality apparel that not only looks great, but also speaks to the unique experiences and identities of gamers on the East Coast. My name is Barry Chapman and my wife, Trudy, and I have been gamers since we were young teenagers. I myself, remember exploring an open world to find a magical chalice and return it to the golden castle in a game called Adventure, along with the Swordquest games (Earthworld, Fireworld and Waterworld) on the Atari 2600. It wasn’t long after, before I was introduced to the wonderful and exciting world of table top role playing games through Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. My wife had enjoyed playing games like Pitfall on the Atari, then on the Sega Genesis/Sega CD she continued with Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, the Shining Force and Lunar. Those along with board games like Clue and the Nightmare/VHS series being one of her favorites in her youth. She was thrilled and excited when I introduced her into the realms of RPGs. Since then, our love of all sorts of games grew to include not only RPGs, but classic arcade games, miniature games, trading card games and of course, the beloved video games.

East Coast Gamers was an idea I had been toying with a few years and decided to make it a reality in 2023. Both born and raised in Amherst and living in Nova Scotia all our lives, we wanted to pay homage to the maritimes through our brand name – East Coast Gamers.  Having been to many conventions and events in the Atlantic Provinces and seeing how people not only love playing all sorts of games, but also love to show off their dedication in the forms of cosplaying, wearing their favourite character or game on their clothing right down to immortalizing their love for games as tattoos. For many people, us included, games are more than just a form of entertainment – they are a way of life. Games can teach us new skills, challenge us to think creatively and strategically, and provide an outlet for self-expression and creativity.

We had the thought, “What better way to show off your love of gaming while also showing off your proud East Coast roots than to wear something that celebrates both!” Through brainstorming, my wife came up with a great iconic, classic concept: “a lighthouse being attacked by a Kraken, having the lighthouse defended by a mighty dragon”. Being able to vividly imagine sailing along the east coast and looking out a porthole on a ship and being astonished by that sight was the origin of how we came up with our brand logo.

Above all, our brand is about community. In a world that can often feel divided and disconnected, games have the power to bring us closer together. They allow us to explore new worlds, take on new roles and identities, and experience the thrill of competition and teamwork. They create shared memories and experiences that can last a lifetime.  We wanted to find a way to allow all of us to come together to celebrate our shared passions and experiences. Our clothing is more than just a way to express your love of gaming and East Coast pride – it’s a statement of belonging to a larger community that understands and embraces the importance of gaming culture and how games can make a real impact in people’s lives. Games bring us together, create opportunities for us to connect and form meaningful relationships with others who share our interests and passions, and create a sense of community that provides support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.

Our clothing designs feature intricate details, bold graphics, and come in vibrant colors that capture the essence of such fantasy settings that we love. But we also incorporate elements that are inspired by our East Coast heritage, such as iconic landmarks, cultural references, and regional pride. Whether you’re playing tabletop games with friends or exploring a vast virtual world on your screen, we want you to be able to declare your love of gaming, your East Coast roots, and your sense of adventure and imagination.

So if you’re looking for clothing that celebrates your love of gaming and honours your East Coast roots, look no further than our brand. We are dedicated to honoring and showcasing the diversity and creativity of East Coast gamers. We are gamers, we are East Coasters, and we are proud to represent our community through our clothing.