Armageddon Expo kicks off in Wellington in a week or so, and it has announced rule changes, in light of the Christchurch terror attack. Tactical guns, military costumes and anything that looks like a real weapon or is based on a real weapon will be banned from now on.
This presents a challenge for cosplayers - those who will be dressing up as their favourite sci fi, fantasy or gaming characters at the event.
Armageddon is expected to bring millions of dollars to the capital's economy Photo: RNZ / Kate Gudsell
Dressed in his civvies, Steve Pearson told Jesse Mulligan usually he’s in full Nordic armour from the game Skyrim.
“Cosplay is pretty much just dressing up as characters, fiction or otherwise, kind of your favourite fandoms from games, films, tv series, from comic books, anime, manga. It’s just basically taking what you like, dressing up as it, having fun, going to a convention, meeting up with your friends and having a good time.”
It’s a growing trend here and the scene is relatively big, with 7000 members on the Cosplay NZ Facebook page alone – bear in mind not all of those who attend events like Armageddon will be on the page.
Pearson says he likes the challenge of cosplay, particularly when the character, like Chappie which he’s currently working on, is largely CGI.
With the rise of first-person shooter games, like Call of Duty, a lot of cosplayers now dress in full military gear and have weapons that look like real firearms at events.
That will all change with the Armageddon’s new rules.
“It doesn’t mean that they can’t turn up in other things, there are plenty of cosplays and outfits and characters that may have a military prop - they could turn up in just the clothing without bringing the prop.”
Things like light sabres and space weapons that clearly don’t look like real firearms will be allowed.
In the US, people have started turning up with fruit or cardboard placards saying, ‘prop not found’, having a bit of fun with it, he says.
“They’re not trying to ruin anyone’s fun in that regard… it’s looking at trying to respect the public and the public’s feeling of things at the moment. Obviously, we’re still fairly raw after what happened down in Christchurch so it’s trying to avoid any scaremongering – people seeing someone walking down the street in potentially full military tactical gear is not going to set off the greatest reaction in town.”
He says with any change, when people have worked hard on a costume they will feel put out by it, but the community are thinking holistically rather than just about themselves.
Armageddon rules update:
- All real life inspired military clothing is not permitted; this includes costumes for characters from the likes of Stargate, Call of Duty, Captain America (in his military uniform, his superhero costume is fine) etc. If the characters costume is inspired by real life military or SWAT gear you will not be allowed to wear it at the event. Whilst people at the event may know which character you are dressed as members of the public outside of the event will likely not, this is one of the many reasons we feel the need to make this change. There are millions of characters out there you can cosplay, just don't pick one with a military uniform!
- All realistic looking/ imitation firearms whether they are handmade, a toy or not will not be permitted. items that have the appearance of a working firearm, even where they do not function as one, are classified as imitation firearms. As imitation firearms can cause public alarm, these will not be permitted at our event. Weapons from sci-fi and fantasy shows and brightly coloured toy weapons that clearly do not resemble working firearms will be permitted.
- Actual or decommissioned firearms are not under any circumstances to be brought to the event by event attendees e.g. Airsoft guns, BB guns, Paintball guns, sports weapons etc.
- All toy firearm related props must have an orange or red tip, this can be either painted or taped. Any firearm allowed into the event is to not have any projectiles loaded, and/or have the ability to fire.
- All prop weapons must be submitted to prop check when entering an Armageddon Expo event. Armageddon Expo staff and representatives have the sole discretion to approve prop weapons. Prop checks are located at the main entrance of any Armageddon Expo event. Once your prop is checked staff will put a bright cable tie around a part of your prop so other staff and attendees can see it has been checked.
- If you buy weapons at an Armageddon Expo event. All exhibitors adhere to a strict R16 Weapons Customer Policy and will also provide a information leaflet summarising the Weapon Policy with all purchases. If you buy a prop or other weapon from an exhibitor at an Armageddon Expo event, you must keep it sealed in the secure packaging for the duration of the event. Prop weapons purchased at the event that do not meet the Weapons Policy may not be openly carried at the event.
