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Cosplay Contest 2025

1st Place - TBD

2nd place - TBD

3rd place - TBD

Image by Kashawn Hernandez

 

Cosplay Contest Directions & Rules

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General Directions

All participants must have valid admission to Plus Arcade. Signups are on a first-come-first-served basis for entry. Registration will be available online. The contest will be located at the main stage. Participants can register until 9:30pm on the day of Plus Arcade, or until we reach a cap of 30 participants (and +10 waitlisted), whichever comes first. Judging will take place between 10:00 pm-10:45 pm. Call time is 9:50 pm at the mainstage. The show starts strictly at 10:00pm. Failure to be ready on time calls for disqualification.

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If competing for a craftsmanship-based award, costume(s) should be at least 70% hand-made. Handmade is being defined as having been constructed by the entrant. Craftsmanship entries should be prepared to briefly explain the process through which their costume was created, altered, or modified.

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Purchased costumes are allowed to enter but may only compete for the performance-based award.

This is a walk-on contest only, no full length performances. Each participant will have 30 seconds on stage with music provided by the D.J/Hosts, to embody their character and show off their cosplay.

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General Rules

Entries may be by individuals or groups and may be of an existing character from any television show, film, comic, or literary property, or a custom creation by the entrant. Each contestant may only appear on stage in a single entry. All costumes and props must adhere to the PLUS ARCADE policies. This is a 21 years of age and up event, so please be mindful of who is around you. If you are unsure whether something is allowed or not, please email jabari@plusarcade.com.

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CONSENT for physical contact and photography of others is mandatory.

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  • The use of makeup/bodypaint/bodysocks to darken your skin to the appearance of another human race will not be permitted. This is grounds for immediate disqualification.

  • The use of makeup/bodypaint/bodysocks to darken your skin to the appearance of a fantasy race with a non-human skin tone will be allowed. If you have any questions about this, please email [jabari@plusarcade.com].

  • No excessive glitter, excessive confetti, no pyrotechnics, live flame or smoke generators of any kind are allowed.

  • No electrical power connections will be provided. If your costume requires power, it must be a part of your costume design.

  • If any policy violation is discovered by any of the event staff or judging panel, that entry will be disqualified.

 

Award Categories

Best in Craftsmanship: The entry that displayed the most skill & best execution in craftsmanship.

Best in Performance: The entry with the best embodiment of their character and stage presence

Best in Show: The entry that showed excellence in both craftsmanship & performance.

 

 

Consent, Bags, Dress Code and General Policies

Consent

Consent, or asking someone for permission to participate in an activity through words or actions, is mandatory regarding photographing others using a personal device, or coming into contact/touching any part of another attendee’s body or costume.

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Bags

All functioning bags (regardless if part of a cosplay or not) must meet bag size restrictions of 12”x 8”x 12”. This is to help you fit through hatches.

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Dress Code

All clothing and costumes must be appropriate under Alameda County and California public decency laws and all private parts must be covered. There should be no chance of slippage or gaps. Additionally:

  1. Shoes must be worn at all times. Closed-toed, comfortable shoes are recommended

  2. Undergarments of any kind (bras, panties, boxers, etc.) should not be visible.

  3. Skirts/shorts should completely cover the derriere.

  4. Tops should not be so low cut as to reveal undergarments or excessive décolletage.

  5. Bare midriff is allowed as long as the rest of the outfit conforms to all other listed requirements.

  6. Topless or open shirt cosplay is not permissible.

  7. Cosplay involving one-piece Japanese bathing suits (sukumizu) may be worn under other clothing and revealed for photos only.

  8. While military uniforms and costumes inspired by the military – both the U.S. and abroad – are welcome, anyone wearing swastikas or other Nazi party regalia or costuming of any other hate group will be immediately ejected.

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Props

  1. All props must be under 6’4” in height and 36” in width. Non-functioning bags (cannot be opened or used to store items) are considered props and must meet these requirements as well. Exceptions may be made for modular props which can be taken apart and put back together.

  2. All props must be examined by PLUS ARCADE staff for safety and tagged at the Peace Bonding station. Real weapons, props that are too realistic, or props that are deemed dangerous may not be permitted.

  3. Props must be carried carefully and in a neutral position, especially in crowded areas. Long or tall props are to be carried vertically and swords or guns should be holstered or otherwise secured.

  4. Misuse of any prop will result in immediate revocation of privileges. Props are not to be used in a threatening manner towards any person.

 

Restricted Items

  • Functional weapons are not allowed. Weapon props created out of plastic, cardboard, foam, or other such materials are permissible provided they are not too realistic in appearance or dangerous. Projectile guns (even if non-functional), replica guns, swords with metal and other weapons that have metal components are not allowed. Please note all props must conform to the aforementioned height/width dimensions.

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