OK, we’ve got an announcement: the closing ceremony for the online-only London Games Festival will be a virtual cosplay parade on the evening of Monday, 6 April.
Games fans around the world are encouraged to take part and submit pictures or short videos of themselves dressed as their favourite games characters, with all the best entries profiled online live from 7pm via social media.
This event is open to everyone – from professional cosplayers through to newcomers making something to wear over the weekend.
We always welcome every level of costume making in our annual Parade so if it’s your first time we encourage you to use household items and get creative – use bedsheets as robes or make armour out of kitchenware. Who will you be – Mario? Alyx Vance? Shovel Knight?
You can use the hashtag #LGFcosplay2020 on Twitter, Instagram or TikTok – we will repost here. Start sending them in from midday on Monday. Entries can come from anywhere in the world but they must be video game character costumes.
Our Cosplay Parade is a fun outdoor activity that professional cosplayers, first timers and the whole family can enjoy, so in that spirit we ask you to keep the indoor version similarly family friendly. Our regular host Ms Kitty Powers will also be online to pick her favourites.
Since 2017 the London Games Festival has run a cosplay parade in the heart of the city, but in the era of self-isolation the event will be on screens around the world rather than the streets of London.
The Virtual Cosplay Parade is also supporting GamesAid, the UK video games charity. If you’re participating or just scrolling through the entries, please consider making a donation at https://justgiving.com/gamesaid so we can play and be creative for some great causes.
The London Games Festival started on 26 March after switching to an online format, offering a variety of ways to connect the global games industry – with thousands of livestream viewers, hundreds of video call meetings conducted by industry professionals, and participation from 35 different countries.
