Looking for a few good videogam[ing/er] costum[er/ing] folk.

[kproche]

I haven't done much in the way of videogaming for years (truth: I remember the Magnavox Odyssey, and Pong, and played lots of Atari 2600 games at my godparents' house), nor costumed from them.

I do, however, write for a costuming magazine (YIPE! if you've somehow missed that fact over the last 3 years) and am working on a feature about video game costumes and/or costuming at videogame events.

Anyone out there in LJ-land have something (photos, anecdotes, tales of excitement and wonder -- or woe and misery) to share? Deadlines are looming [cue ominous 8-bit music]

Comments

[kshandra]

Someone must have a picture - good lord, it's been five years already, because it was at the Doubletree - of the Katamari Damacy cosplayer at BayCon.

---

I didn't find that particular one in a Google Image search, but I found this group who rolled a Katamari through the 2006 Bay to Breakers - and here is the post where they originally solicited members.

[johno.livejournal.com]

I've got one shot of this costume. If you want it Kevin, I'll dig it out for the zine.

[foofers.livejournal.com]

fjmccloud has a StarFox costume, and has done the likes of Fanime (and I seem to recall possibly California Extreme). So he might have some good anecdotes.

[johno.livejournal.com]

Hit up Mea. At least one of her big armour costumes was video game based.

[bauhausfrau.livejournal.com]

Ask me again closer to Halloween and I should have a kid's Angry Birds costume and a kid's Sonic costume to show you.

[trinsf.livejournal.com]

G and I did a costume for her at Baycon one year, the Prince from Katamari Damacy. Another year she was a character from Dance Dance Revolution. So, Iv'e done several of them. I just don't know anyone who has pictures of them. maybe John O? She did not like having pictures taken by the typical con photogs, so she refused to pose for them in those areas.

[ladyaxum.livejournal.com]

I would talk to Sionna Neidengard (hoshikage on LJ) she had been doing video game costuming for years. her cosplay profile is http://www.cosplay.com/costumes/m984/

[racerxmachina.livejournal.com]

Vote for Sionna seconded. If anyone does game costumes, it's her.

Happy to help

[killpurakat.livejournal.com]

Let me know what you need. I have quite a few pics from cons I've gone to, and as a gaming costumer (well, what did you think Princess Pacman was referencing?), I can give you some tips/stories/whatevers.

Here's a story that you can use, actually:

So in 2009, I dressed up as Link from The Legend of Zelda on the Friday before Halloween (for school). I had an impressive shield and sword and was fairly recognizable from a distance. That day, I decided to go get a bite to eat from across the street (at the Commons), half because I was hungry, and half so that people could see the costume and I wouldn't spend the day trapped in the grad student office.

I got many high-fives, shout-outs, and even a few "OMG! I'm taking a pic of that! POSE NOW!!!" from the random passers by. After I got my food and was walking back, an elderly couple (about 70-75 years old) happened to stop to cross the street with me. They both glanced at me, smiled in that doting-grandparent way, and calmly crossed with me and turned to go down the street.

Quite suddenly, I heard someone humming the main Legend of Zelda theme. I turned around and, as loud as they could, both senior citizens were half-humming, half-wordless-singing the theme for my costume. I shouted a "Awesome! Thanks!" and they increased in volume, causing quite a few people to turn and stare at them, then at me in recognition.

Totally cracked me up. Long live gamers, young and old! ;)

(A smaller mini-story involving the same costume, but worn in March 2010:

I wore it at a small con I staffed at, then went to my fav comic book store on the way home. The guys there knew me, know about my costuming, and we had a brief laugh while I made my purchases. I got the comics, hopped back in my car, and backed out to get out of the cul-de-sac type parking.

Well, a group of three late teenagers was crossing the street as I swung my car around. Two glanced up, noted that I was there in a car and had slowed down and thus seen them, and continued crossing to the shops. The third, however, glanced at me, then did a double take, squinting. He then yelped, jumped two feet in the air, and started waving like he was trying to swat drunk bats out of the air.

My windows were rolled up, so I couldn't hear what he was saying, but I waved and he got the goofiest grin on his face as he maniacally waved back and kept yelling at his friends, who looked caught between thinking it was cool to see someone dressed as Link driving around, and trying to convince people they weren't with the crazed spaz.)

Re: Happy to help

[kproche.livejournal.com]

OK, I'm planning to use Princess Pac-Man already :-) Can you get me any photos of your Link costume?

Re: Happy to help

[killpurakat.livejournal.com]

Sure, I've got a pretty good shot of it! Where would you like me to send the pic to?

Also, do you want the story behind the Princess Pacman costume, or is the costume enough? I can give you details about the whole Video Game Priestess as well (from CC28).

I know I'm not the best gamer/costumer (since some of my stuff leans more towards original), but I think video games are a great influence on me. :)

Re: Happy to help

[kproche.livejournal.com]

Ooh! All that sounds fab (including the stories).

We use box.net to collect submissions. I'm having the system send you a link to a folder for you; you can upload both photos and documents to it.

Added it all

[killpurakat.livejournal.com]

I included everything I could think of. The stories are way too long, so I'll leave the editting to you.

Re: Added it all

[kproche.livejournal.com]

They aren't going to need a lot, just a bit of tightening up some link narrative from me, so I want to give you an author credit. What do you want for your byline (real name or handle) and do you have a headshot we can use?

Really?

[killpurakat.livejournal.com]

I was almost certain they'd need massive editting. o_O;;; Thanks for the great compliment to my ego! ^^

I'm at school right now, so I'll upload a headshot to the file for you when I get home (I have TONS, so no problem there). I've never gone by my handle during competitions, but I wouldn't mind both being printed (actually, I'd love it if costuming peeps knew both). Sort of a "C****** R**** aka Killpurakat" thing. Or is that too much?

Re: Really?

[kproche.livejournal.com]

I can absolutely do that. We can even include a link that points readers to the blog/website of your choice!

Yippee!

[killpurakat.livejournal.com]

Actually, just the name should be enough (people can Google it if they really want to). My LJ is very random, and I don't update enough on DA to really consider that a good website to link to. Maybe in the future when I submit something else.

I'm just excited that I get to use my real name and handle. :)

BTW, headshot is posted in that folder/box thing for you to download.

... I need a hugging icon...