Many people dismiss cosplay as nothing more than a game of dress-up. What’s more, it’s considered something of a modern-day phenomenon, at least in the Western world. In fact, cosplay has been around since the 1980s, with the first cosplayers hailing from Japan. While it’s not uncommon to see grown adults dressed as their favourite pop culture heroes on Halloween, cosplay takes things to a whole new level. There’s a real performance element to it, with participants living and breathing the characters they’re recreating. Take a walk through the crowds of any Comic Con, and you’ll encounter hundreds of cosplayers recreating beloved superheroes, fantasy characters, and science fiction legends. More recently, cosplaying has found its way into the esports sphere.
Video Games and Cosplaying: Endless Possibilities
While major esports tournaments have given cosplaying gamers a platform for sharing their performance art, gaming-inspired cosplay has always been a thing. Even since the early days of cosplay, video game heroes and villains were fair game.
If you’re thinking of exploring the world of cosplay for yourself, it’s worth remembering you’ll face some serious competition. The average cosplayer doesn’t do things by half. The most prolific cosplayers can spend thousands on a single costume. However, these costs are just the tip of the iceberg. The most dedicated cosplayers aren’t content with posing for an impromptu shot against a blank wall. International travel and professional photo shoots are just some of the additional costs that cosplaying gamers are prepared to cover.
Why Is There Such an Appetite for Video Game Cosplaying?
It’s easy to see why video game characters are a go-to choice for cosplayers. While there is no shortage of colourful comic book superheroes out there, the eclectic casts of video games provide endless opportunities. For Nintendo players in the cosplay community, Mario and Luigi are a go-to. Are you a fan of the Tomb Raider franchise? Head to any games convention or esports event and there’s a good chance you’ll cross paths with at least one Lara Croft lookalike.
You’ve then got the dynamic casts of beat ‘em up series like Tekken and Street Fighter and the sprawling roster of League of Legends. That’s before you start exploring the cast of thousands that have populated the Final Fantasy franchise since 1987.
There’s a more intimate connection between these cosplayers and the characters they’re recreating. In many cases, participants are dressing as the virtual champions and antiheroes they’ve played for years. Experiencing a video game narrative through the eyes of a virtual character creates a unique connection that you don’t get from watching actors perform in front of a camera.
Cosplayers Are Being Recognised for Their Efforts
If you still think that cosplayers are nothing more than a fringe community, think again. The annual Esports Awards have been around since 2016, with a focus on shining a light on the contributions of people to the esports industry. Alongside awards for console player of the year and standout esports team, there’s a special category reserved for the best cosplayer of the year. To be crowned Esports Cosplay of the Year, cosplayers have to go above and beyond. Flawless costumes and uncanny character work are all well and good, but potential winners also need to have engaged with the community at events or via live streams.
Argentinian-born Alba Diadamo, better known as PeytonCosplay, took home the trophy in 2022. Peyton is one of the most prolific cosplayers out there, having produced more than 300 stunning costumes in little more than a decade. Her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by industry professionals, with the likes of Epic Games and Ubisoft enlisting her services.
Are You Considering Cosplay?
Have you ever considered cosplaying yourself? The video game community and esports circuit is a safe space for anyone looking to indulge their creative side. You can keep things simple by dressing up as a retro sprite from an old RPG, or put some real effort into recreating a modern-day gaming icon in detail. Need some pointers? Perhaps you’re looking for the perfect venue to debut your cosplay creation. Head to 1337pro.com for the latest tournament dates and event fixtures.
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