Game Characters Come Alive: Cosplay at Gaming Conventions

Are you curious about the world of cosplay at gaming conventions? This blog covers everything from the roots of cosplay to its vibrant role in gaming culture. We’ll explore how cosplayers bring characters to life, celebrate craftsmanship, build communities, and even influence game design. Whether you’re a seasoned cosplayer or just intrigued, dive in and see how cosplay transforms gaming conventions!

This article is part of our blog series on gaming conventions. For even more content, be sure to head over here and check out the other blogs!

The Origins of Cosplay at Gaming Conventions

The origins of cosplay can be traced back to 1939, when attendees at the first World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) in New York dressed up as characters from science fiction stories. Then, in the 1980s, cosplay as we know it gained momentum in Japan, primarily within the anime and manga fandoms. The word “cosplay” itself was coined by Nobuyuki Takahashi, a Japanese director and producer, who combined the words “costume” and “play.”

As gaming culture grew, especially in Japan, cosplayers began to include characters from video games, and the trend spread to gaming conventions worldwide. It allowed fans to express their devotion to games not only by playing them but also by embodying the characters they loved. By the 2000s, cosplay was common at major gaming events, with conventions such as PAX and gamescom offering special areas and contests dedicated to cosplay.

The Relationship Between Gaming and Cosplay

As mentioned above, cosplay has become an integral part of gaming culture, connecting the in-game worlds with real-life creativity. Here’s a closer look at how these two worlds complement and influence each other:

Bringing Digital Characters to Life

Cosplay brings fictional characters into the real world, creating a tangible presence for characters you usually only see on your screens. Video games feature a huge variety of characters with unique personalities, styles, and lore.

Creative Expression and Craftsmanship

Cosplaying iconic video game characters allows fans to express their admiration for games on a highly creative level, from designing costumes to learning makeup techniques. The intricate designs and lore game developers create often inspire this creativity.

Cosplay contests at gaming conventions often focus on craftsmanship, with judges awarding points for accuracy and detail. These contests demonstrate how gaming-inspired costumes encourage creativity and a high level of artistic expression. But more on that later!

Conventions as Celebration and Community Spaces

Gaming conventions are natural gathering places for fans to celebrate their favorite games, and cosplay enhances this by allowing fans to represent characters in real life. This adds an extra layer to the event’s atmosphere, creating immersive environments where fans can interact as characters from different games.

Cosplay builds community. For many fans, attending conventions is less about the games and more about meeting like-minded people. Through cosplay, fans find others who share their love of the same characters, genres, or styles. Cosplay meet-ups, group photo shoots, and themed gatherings foster friendships that can last well beyond the convention.

Overlapping Communities

Speaking of community, both gaming and cosplay communities thrive on connection, passion, and fan-driven creativity. Gamers often join cosplay groups, while cosplayers become avid gamers drawn by the strong community vibes in both spaces.

Online forums and social media platforms often feature crossovers, with cosplayers sharing gaming tips or gamers showing appreciation for cosplay efforts. Platforms like Twitch, where cosplayers sometimes stream in costume, and Discord, where communities gather to discuss gaming and cosplay tips, reflect how these hobbies overlap and howthe people support each other.

Cosplay as a Tribute to Gaming Culture

Cosplaying a beloved video game character is often an homage to the game’s design, story, or emotional impact on players. Fans who dress up as characters like Geralt from The Witcher or Tracer from Overwatch do so to honor the developers and artists who created these worlds and show their appreciation for the character’s place in gaming history.

This celebration also extends to lesser-known indie games, where cosplayers take pride in representing niche characters and connecting with other fans who recognize and appreciate them.

Feedback Loop with Game Development

Some game studios take notice of cosplayers, especially when a character becomes a fan favorite. Cosplay communities often influence game development decisions, as developers recognize the characters and designs that resonate the most. Cosplayers have even inspired character redesigns or collaborations where studios provide detailed character sheets specifically for the cosplay community.

Here are a few exciting examples:

• Overwatch: In response to cosplayers’ challenges with specific costumes (such as Mei’s intricate costume details), Blizzard adjusted designs in later iterations of the game to make costumes more practical for cosplayers.
• Street Fighter V: Cammy’s costume was partially influenced by how cosplayers interpreted the character.
• Final Fantasy XV: Square Enix partnered with cosplayers to showcase the designs of the game’s characters through the eyes of passionate fans.
• The Witcher 3: CD Projekt Red released high-quality cosplay reference materials for the community.

• League of Legends: The development team made minor adjustments to the character proportions of Lux’s Star Guardian skin based on cosplay feedback to make the design easier to replicate.
• World of Warcraft: Blizzard worked with professional cosplayers to create official costumes and in-game items inspired by fan designs.
• Cyberpunk 2077: CD Projekt Red took a unique approach by collaborating with the cosplay community in the design process. They featured cosplayers at promotional events and showcased custom outfits from the game.

The Influence of Gaming on Cosplay Styles and Techniques

Video games, especially in genres like fantasy and sci-fi, often feature complex armor and props that require advanced cosplay techniques. Crafting armor inspired by games like World of Warcraft or Destiny has led cosplayers to explore new materials and methods, such as thermoplastics, EVA foam, and even 3D printing, helping the cosplay community evolve alongside gaming.

As game graphics become more detailed, cosplayers strive to recreate even the smallest features, such as specific fabrics or lighting effects on armor. This has made cosplay an innovative art form where gaming trends directly influence cosplay techniques and materials.

Cosplay as Part of Competitive Gaming Culture

Cosplay and competitive gaming often intersect, especially at events such as eSports tournaments. Cosplayers may dress as characters from the games, adding excitement and flair to the competitive atmosphere. Some tournaments even hold cosplay contests as part of the event, celebrating the players and the creative fans who bring the characters to life.

Some examples include:

Cosplay Expands the Cultural Impact of Gaming

Game characters are often powerful symbols of themes such as heroism, resilience, or adventure, and cosplayers embody these values through their portrayals. This makes game characters more than just characters on a screen-they become personal icons that people identify with and celebrate.

By bringing characters out of games and into real life, cosplay amplifies the cultural impact of gaming and allows fans to connect with characters on a deeper level.

Types of Conventions that Are Great for Cosplay

Gaming conventions that focus heavily on fan culture and immersive experiences are ideal for cosplay.

Here are some categories to consider:

Large conventions (think PAX & gamescom):

These events attract attendees from all over the world, including developers, media, and fans. Large conventions are ideal for ambitious cosplayers because they offer exposure to a large audience and press. Many game studios also set up elaborate booths and photo areas that provide great backdrops for character cosplay.

Franchise-specific conventions (such as the FF XIV Fan Festival):

Fans who attend franchise-specific conventions often share a passion for specific games or studios, creating an ideal setting for cosplaying characters from those franchises. These conventions usually include cosplay contests explicitly themed around the game, encouraging incredible attention to detail and creative costumes.

Community-Focused Conventions (e.g., MAGFest, Polaris, Caggtus):

These smaller, often fan-run conventions can be more relaxed. MAGFest, known for its focus on video game music and culture, has a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Community conventions are great for cosplayers who want to try out new costumes in a more casual, accessible environment.

Anime and gaming hybrid conventions (such as Anime Expo):

Events like Anime Expo in Los Angeles cater to both anime and gaming fans. Their cosplay contests allow fans to compete against characters from both anime and games, making it an excellent option for cosplayers with crossover interests.

Conventions with Cosplay Contests

Many gaming conventions have cosplay contests where fans can showcase their costumes and win prizes.

Here are some notable ones:

• PAX Cosplay Contest: PAX conventions (held in cities such as Seattle, Boston, and Melbourne) host cosplay contests that celebrate various gaming genres and characters. These contests emphasize creativity, inclusivity, and fun, making them ideal for both experienced and novice cosplayers.
• gamescom cosplay village: gamescom in Germany is Europe’s largest gaming convention, and it dedicates an entire area to cosplay, known as the cosplay village. Here, fans can participate in contests, photo shoots, and workshops, and the area is filled with professional cosplayers and artists.
• Polaris: The cosplay contest at the Polaris Convention in Hamburg is a highlight for many, especially because of its structured competition and rewards. In 2024, Polaris allowed 15 cosplayers to compete, with categories celebrating various crafting skills, from sewing to armor building.
• Anime Expo: Anime Expo hosts an extensive cosplay competition known as the Masquerade, a highlight of the convention each year. This event celebrates craftsmanship and performance, allowing cosplayers to showcase their skills in costumes inspired by anime, manga, and Japanese video games. The competition is divided into skill-based divisions (Beginner, Intermediate, and Master) so that participants can compete against others of a similar skill level.     

Interview with Cosplay Photographer eosAndy

Andreas Krupa, also known as eosAndy, is a professional photographer who specializes in cosplay photography. We were lucky enough to meet him in person at our PLITCH Dinner at the Polaris Convention in Hamburg. Here, he answers our questions about cosplay photography and offers some tips.

Do you have any specific tips for cosplayers who want to get the most out of their photos?

The background is more important than you might think. A cosplay photo always looks better if it’s taken in front of a suitable background – elves in a forest, cyberpunks in a parking garage, etc.

If no suitable location is available, I recommend a color-neutral background – gray is always a good choice. And even though the simple selfie in front of the mirror in your room often gets a lot more attention on the internet, I always find the really elaborate photos on location to be more exciting, more meaningful, and just plain cooler 😊.

Choosing the right photographer is also crucial for good photos. Nowadays, there are many talented photographers who specialize in cosplay. They are getting better and better at capturing cosplayers in an authentic and impressive way.

Are there any conventions or events you find especially exciting as a cosplay photographer?

I always find conventions with an adjacent outdoor area or park very exciting. Dokomi in Düsseldorf is a prime example—even though it is completely overcrowded. Elfia in Arcen and the Elbenwald Festival are great outdoor events where you can take fantastic photos that are authentic and perfectly in character.

Conventions are generally a great way to network, meet cosplayers in person, and see if the chemistry is right. At indoor conventions, I used to take advantage of the opportunity to meet new cosplayers when I didn’t have my own photo booth. At the same time, I could exchange ideas and plan shoots with familiar faces.

Do you have a particularly memorable or funny anecdote from a con shoot?

I have been a cosplay photographer for so many years and at so many conventions that I sometimes lose track of memorable moments. 😃 However, I am always impressed by the people in front of my lens – how talented, creative, and sometimes incredibly tenacious they are.

Sometimes, the characters and situations are curious and “crazy” – but of course, in a loving and absolutely positive way. This diversity makes the cosplay scene so fascinating and exciting for me.

Which character or cosplay would be your dream motif?

I often get this question, but I never really have an answer. Why is that? Because I never think about what I want to photograph next. Every week, I have a new, exciting subject in front of my lens that I didn’t even know was possible.

Tips for Cosplay Beginners

💡 Tip: Check out our blog for a downloadable packing list to make sure you don’t forget anything. It includes a special section for cosplayers!

💡 Tip: If you want to brush up on your networking skills, take a look at our networking guide!

💡 Tip: For more general tips for your first convention, check out our Convention Survival Guide!

Tips For Aspiring Professional Cosplayers From Nastassja Köhler

Not only do we have tips for beginners, but we are also lucky enough to provide exclusive tips for aspiring professional cosplayers, thanks to Nasstasja Köhler, CEO of Crexpro GmbH. The following section is entirely her work and offers helpful tips and cool insights into her work and passion for cosplay!

“My name is Nastassja, and in 2018, I founded an agency dedicated to establishing cosplay as a professional marketing and promotional tool. We work with numerous talented cosplayers from all over Germany and have built a professional network with a strong focus on educational approaches.

In addition to creative cosplay campaigns, we also organize events and stage shows. The best thing about this job is the incredible variety: there are no creative limits! We develop unusual concepts that focus on the customer experience. We aim to tell heroic stories, touch people, and create fantastic worlds.

Working with a growing community is an absolute pleasure, and the creativity of cosplayers inspires me every day. My own journey began with my sister – we discovered cosplay for ourselves and made it our passion. Today, I am proud to work with great artists to create amazing campaigns that bring characters to life.

Cosplay is a self-taught hobby with no limits. Each costume is a new challenge, and it’s fascinating to see how young people are rediscovering the joy of crafting and DIY. We want to continue to encourage and tap into this potential.

Important Tips

If you’re a cosplayer and want to take the step toward professionalism, I have the following tips for you:

• Take care of the basics: Get an accounting software, take care of your health insurance, and make an appointment with the Chamber of Commerce or the Job Center. They often have helpful information and even funding opportunities, such as start-up grants.
• Create a professional website: Your portfolio should be well presented, and a professional online presence is essential.
• Showcase your work at conventions: Rent an artist table or booth to gain exposure and network.
• Build a strong workshop portfolio: Document your specialties and hold workshops to share your knowledge.
• Invest in professional photography: High-quality images and clear project overviews help convince publishers and potential clients of your skills.

Important: Professionalization also means investing in basic bureaucratic aspects, from business registration to tax planning. With a solid foundation, you can build a sustainable career in cosplay!

Popular Video Game Characters for Cosplay

• Link: Link is a timeless cosplay choice, popular for his heroic appearance, recognizable green tunic, and accessories like the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. Cosplayers love to recreate his various iterations from games like Ocarina of Time, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom, giving the character a fresh twist each time.
• Lara Croft: Known for her adventurous spirit and iconic outfits, Lara Croft is a classic choice. Her costumes range from the minimalistic tank top and shorts look to more rugged, practical survival gear, making her popular with novice and experienced cosplayers.
• Geralt of Rivia: With his silver hair, cat-like eyes, and detailed armor, Geralt is an eye-catching cosplay choice. His intricate costume, complete with armor, swords, and monster-hunting gear, is a fun challenge, and fans love embodying his stoic personality and aura of mystery.

• Tracer: Tracer’s bright orange jumpsuit, goggles, and “chronal accelerator” make her instantly recognizable. Her upbeat personality and dynamic poses make her a hit with cosplayers who enjoy a fun, animated character with a distinctive look.
• 2B: With her black gothic dress, blindfold, and katana, 2B has become a fan favorite. Her simple and mysterious aesthetic appeals to cosplayers who enjoy detailed costumes, and her character’s introspective nature allows for many unique interpretations.
• Master Chief: Master Chief’s iconic green armor and helmet are a hit with sci-fi fans. His armor is a complex challenge, often involving 3D printing or EVA foam, and cosplayers love the imposing and futuristic look of the costume.
• Aloy: With her braided hair, tribal-inspired armor, and high-tech bow, Aloy has quickly become a favorite for her unique post-apocalyptic look. Cosplayers love her blend of primitive and futuristic aesthetics, powerful backstory, and character depth.