Cosplay is highly encouraged at Midwest GameFest, and there are just a few rules we ask our attendees to follow.
Cosplayers
- No real weapons of any kind will be allowed in the facility. All costume-related items will be inspected at the registration desk each time you are admitted. Weapons are required to be replica or prop by design and should not have the appearance of a real blade or firearm. If our desk folks can't easily tell the difference at a glance, it's not allowed. No illegal or functioning weapons are permitted.
- Airsoft/paintball and similar weapons must be unloaded, not charged with air/gas, and rendered inoperable.
- No projectiles.
- No partial or full nudity.
- No pyrotechnics, smoke, fog, fire, fireworks, explosions, concussions, etc.
- No dripping or oozing of fluids, confetti, or glitter which could create an unsafe walking surface.
Non-Cosplayers
- Cosplay is not consent. Be considerate. Please ask for photographs and respect those instances when a cosplayer may be otherwise engaged.
- Please do not touch a costume unless given express permission by the costume wearer.
- No harassment of any kind will be tolerated. Not only will reports of harassment result in immediate expulsion from the convention, but Midwest GameFest will take all appropriate measures up to and including contacting the authorities.
- Check our Anti-Harassment Policy for additional details.
Cosplay Rules
- No extreme gore. Remember, this is a family convention and anything considered inappropriate will be asked to change or leave.
- No nudity or partial nudity allowed. All cosplays must cover more than a swimsuit, regardless of gender.
- Shoes must be worn at all times.
- If you can't fit through a doorway you cannot wear it. You cannot be blocking people's paths in the hallways.
- All props have to go through weapons check.
Prop Rules
- All props must go through weapons check.
- You will be required to tag your prop. You can receive tags at weapons check.
- No real weapons. No steel/real swords; or shaped metal objects.
- No real firearms. Fake Guns must have something identifying them clearly as facsimile so that those with no gun knowledge clearly know it's not a threat. We highly recommend an orange tip of some kind.
- If it is a Nerf gun you cannot have any "bullets" in it, or on you.
- Props must be able to fit through doorways and can not block people in the halls. Large costume pieces must be removable in order to walk through halls (e.g. wings, spikes, tails, chains, props).
Questions
If you have any questions or concerns about your cosplay, email our Cosplay Director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..