Game Con CanadaFAQ

Your script should be around five sentences long and describe your construction, your character, or both. As an example:

Talented Cosplayer is cosplaying Character from Franchise. This build allowed Talented to incorporate some of their favorite techniques, including weathering, smocking, and foam detailing. Their favorite part of the build is the wings, which pass through the outer layers of the costume to attach to a sturdy backplate. The shoes are made from scratch and the wig was heavily dyed and modified! This was a major level up cosplay for Talented and they’re super proud to be showing it today at Game Con Canada.

Please note that exceptions may be made to items in bold when you are participating in the cosplay contest, but only for the period in which you are on stage.

• Costumes, cosplays, and general attire must provide the same level of body coverage expected at an all-ages public beach, but no speedos or thongs.

• Footwear is required at all times.

• Costumes should not impede movement of yourself or others around you. They must fit through a standard Canadian doorway.

• Costumes should not have any functional sharp edges or points that could be a risk to yourself or others.

• Costumes may not include smoke, odors, or fog.

• Cosplay may not include:

  • Words, images, or symbols conveying racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or otherwise prejudiced or bigoted messages or sentiments.

  • Obscene or offensive language or images including uncensored profanities and pornographic content

• Costumes should not represent or incorporate the iconography, uniform, or appearance of persons or objects associated with prejudice or bigotry (e.g. Nazi imagery).

• 20th and 21st-century uniforms may not be worn as costumes. These include any uniform that can be construed as a military uniform from any country or a uniform worn in an official capacity, such as security guard, police officer, deputy, fire marshal, paramedic, etc. Active duty military personnel are permitted to wear their government-issued uniforms.

• Costumes and cosplays may incorporate audio or lighting elements of reasonable volume or intensity. Sounds and lights must be able to be turned off easily if they become disruptive to nearby attendees or events.

Weapons and props:

• Costumes and cosplays cannot include historical or modern weapons, nor items that could be confused for them. This includes (but is not limited to): self-defense equipment like pepper spray or tasers; recreational weapons like Airsoft, paintball, water, cap, or BB guns; sharp-edged tools like knives or scissors; or martial-arts weaponry including wooden practice weapons.

• Fantasy or sci-fi/futuristic weapons are allowed so long as they do not resemble actual historical or modern weapons and are handled with respect for the safety and personal space of other attendees. 

• No live steel or weapons that can fire projectiles.

• Weapons and props must not exceed the height of a standard Canadian doorway.

• Any weapon or prop that makes noise must be able to be turned off and must not be excessively loud.

All Props must be checked and approved by our Prop Check Desk in the convention center during operating hours for compliance with this policy. Some events may provide exceptions to this policy under strict circumstances defined by that event. Items purchased in the Exhibit Hall which violate this policy must be wrapped and immediately removed from the convention premises.

Game Con Canada’s Event Staff or security personnel may inspect any item or costume, or request that an attendee remove a mask, at any time during the convention. Failure to comply with these policies and/or the instructions of Game Con Canada’s Event Staff or security personnel may result in immediate removal from the convention without refund.

If you have any questions about these policies, please contact Game Con Canada’s cosplay team at [email protected] before the convention or visit the Prop Check Desk in the convention center during operating hours.