COSPLAY CONTEST

 

Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places

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Please help us by doing your part in upholding a safe and welcoming environment for all cosplayers at HGX. Refer to convention policies and codes of conduct. Convention costume, props, and weapons policy applies to the contest. Contest participant consents to the use of pictures taken during the contest by HGX for promotion of future events and contests.

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Contestants: Don’t worry about picking categories. Everyone is entered into the same category and the best is chosen by our Judges! Children will get the opportunity to show off their costumes and creativity on stage and will leave with a “award” for participation.

RULES
Contestants must register on our website on the application page to sign up.

A valid HGX2023 ticket/pass granting access to the event is required to enter the Cosplay Contest.  Contestants must arrive at the contest location 30 minutes prior to contest start time to check in for a brief rehearsal.  Everyone will participate in the walk-through to ensure you look fantastic on stage and get all those nervous jitters out!

During the show, all contestants will walk across the stage and show off their costumes to the audience. The judges may ask each contestant a few questions. Contestants will be expected to stay for the entire duration of the competition.

For weapons policy and general costume rules please look under the convention rules.

Any questions about the Cosplay Contest can be emailed to contact@houstongamingexpo.com

 

 COSPLAY RULES AND WEAPON POLICY

• All final decisions on costumes entering the facility shall be at the sole discretion of the HGX Security and Staff

• Should your costume be/become an issue, HGX staff will ask that you either change or leave the premises

• You MUST be able to easily maneuver your costume over stairs or ramps unassisted. Armor cannot pose a threat to others

• No Jumping off the stage. Safety is number1!

• You must have unobstructed vision at all times (i.e., must not need to remove a piece of your Costume in order to see)

• Any bow-type weapons must be unstrung or strung with a low-tensile thread. All prop arrows must have soft, non-metal, blunted tips made out of foam or cardboard only

• You may not include liquids, gels, or other substances which could cause a mess. This is at the discretion of the HGX Staff

• You may not use smoke effects, fire, explosives, or any other environmental hazard in any capacity

• No throwing items to the crowd, spraying the crowd with water guns, fake blood, or other liquids

• You may display your prop weapons only as costume pieces. Do not swing or brandish your prop in any way that could be considered unsafe or threatening

• You may pose with a prop in a brandishing manner, so long as no reasonable person would interpret it for anything other than dramatic effect. HGX Staff may stop you at their sole discretion

• You may not have any other weapons that may cause harm to others including, but not limited to, sharpened metal-bladed weapons; blunt weapons (like brass knuckles, clubs and nunchaku)

• You may not have items that cause excessive noise levels like megaphones and air horns

• NO WEAPON THAT COULD UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE CONFUSED WITH A REAL GUN WILL BE ALLOWED. Plastic or otherwise, regardless of whether or not it has an orange tip or an unrealistic color. Prop guns of any type will NOT be ALLOWED

• Guns of a clearly unique design may be allowed at the discretion of the HGX Staff.IE a Space Marine Blaster, Star Wars Blasters or a Halo style Convent Pulse Rifle etc. These will be decided on a case by case basis at weapons check

• All costumes must cover at least as much as a 2 piece bikini would. No nipple tassels, C-cups etc. Men are encouraged to wear dance belts if wearing bodysuits etc. Naked is NOT a costume. If it’s not allowed in public it’s not allowed in the expo

• Please be sure to have shoes on at all times. Barefoot cosplays will be required to wear shoes however can be temporarily removed for photo ops

• If it is illegal outside of the convention, it is illegal inside the convention. If you have a safety or security concern, bring it to the convention staff immediately. In emergencies, dial 911

• Contestants are responsible for any damages to convention property as a result of their actions during the contest

• Judge’s rulings are final and cannot be contested

• Should you be unsure if your costume is acceptable, please email contact@houstongamingexpo.com with a photo of your costume for approval

 

By submitting an entry, you confirm that you have read, understand, and agree to abide by all rules set forth ABOVE.

 

RULE UPDATE AND CHANGES

While no changes to these rules are foreseen, certain circumstances may require the rules or times be changed. Please check the rules periodically leading up to the event.