Introducing the NEW MegaCon Live cosplay shows for 2024!

We’re thrilled to announce the 2024 season of MegaCon Live cosplay shows! We’ve loved meeting the community and running the Cosplay Village this year, and we can’t wait to do it all over again! The Guild of Nerds will be operating the cosplay zone at the following events:

• MegaCon Live London, 13th & 14th January
• MegaCon Live Dublin, 20th & 21st January,
• MegaCon Live Birmingham, 23rd & 24th March
• MegaCon Live Manchester, 27th & 28th July

Our popular Cosplay Masquerades will be returning in full force at every show, with a number of very important updates that we’re so excited to bring to the UK cosplay scene. We consulted the community about the changes you wanted to see and listened to feedback from participants to restructure our cosplay shows.

A brief overview of the changes:

• Introducing a brand new, non-judged, Cosplay Showcase to accommodate many more varied performers earlier in the day;
• Introducing experience classes to the judged Cosplay Masquerade, ensuring that crafters of similar skill levels are able to compete against each other;
• Updating the percentages of bought vs. handmade, and craftsmanship vs. performance, to celebrate the elements the community most appreciates;
• Introducing more awards to celebrate more cosplayers, including a performance prize;
• Much more of the registration process handled online, cutting down on everyone’s queue time at the event.

These changes will be in effect for the 2024 season, from the first show at MegaCon Live London.

What is the Cosplay Showcase?

The Cosplay Showcase is an non-judged opportunity for you to show off your costume, whether you made, bought, borrowed, or commissioned it.

Sign-ups will only take place on the day of the event at the Cosplay Village, but the Cosplay Showcase will take place on both days of the event.

What are experience classes?

Experience classes help to level the playing field between brand-new entrants and those who have been competing seemingly forever. By assigning yourself an experience class when you sign up for the competition, you can be sure you will be judged against entrants of a similar level to you, giving you more chances to win and be recognised for your cosplay!

You should consider the Bard class if:

• You have a performance in mind
• You want to perform in front of a big audience and compete against other performers
• You’ve bought, thrifted or commissioned your cosplay
• You don’t mind filling out an application

You should consider the Adventurer class if:

• You’ve only entered a few cosplay competitions, or never entered before;
• You haven’t made many costumes before, or this is your first costume;
• You’ve won ‘Judges’ Choice’ or similar, or haven’t won an award yet at all;
• You prefer to walk onstage and pose than give a performance;
• You’ve handmade around 50% of your costume.

You should consider the Artificer class if:

• You’re an experienced competitor, or have been cosplaying for more than five years;
• You’ve won any kind of ‘Best’ award, eg. Best Craftsmanship, Best Performance;
• You have any kind of professional training or experience;
• You’re happy to complete an application form;
• You’ve handmade around 80% of your costume.

You can choose your own class, or we can choose for you! If you’re not sure what class you should be in, drop us an email and we can talk through it.

Groups of up to 6 entrants can enter either category, with the class generally based on the most experienced member of your group. Groups will be eligible to win any available award, including ‘Best Adventurer’ or ‘Best in Show’, depending on their class.

For more information about both of these classes, including details about the sign-up and application process, and the prizes for each class, check out our page here.

How are the rules changing?

MegaCon’s amazing performances have sparked a conversation about how important the ‘play’ part of ‘cosplay’ is. Because of that, we’re changing the percentage weightings of costume vs. performance. 70% of your score will be based on your costume (split into 35% craftsmanship and 35% accuracy/creativity) and 30% will be based on your performance. These weightings apply to the Best in Show and Best Adventurer awards.

We’re also introducing new ways to help make your performance pop!

• You will be able to use an ‘invisible’ assistant on stage (known as a ‘stage ninja’, further information here;
• We welcome you using set pieces, staging, and props, and these will now be judged as part of your performance score;
• Entrants will be able to use the cosplay cloakroom facilities for free on the day they’re competing;
• Depending on the AV available at the event, you may be able to submit a video to play on the screen behind you during your performance;
• Our regular content series ‘Backstage Pass‘ will be delivering tips on everything from brainstorming performances, to overcoming stage fright, to editing your audio, and everything in between, all the way through the competition process.

How is the sign-up process changing?

MegaCon Live masquerades have always been oversubscribed, so we’re introducing an application process for all classes. This will help us get a better understanding of your costume, your performance, and your cosplaying journey before you hit the stage. Applications will be reviewed in batches, and the timeline for reviews will be shared on the application form, so you don’t have to rush to sign-up! We’ll even make all the questions available beforehand so you’re twice as prepared.

Important dates for London:

• 15th November – 10th December 2023: Artificer applications open
• 15th November 2023 – closes when full: Adventurer applications open

Important dates for Dublin:

• 28th November – closes when full: Artificer applications open
• 28th November 2023 – closes when full: Adventurer applications open

The Guild strives to contribute positive change at UK and Irish conventions and competitions, creating new opportunities for crafters at all levels, and we’re really looking forward to bringing you our Cosplay Masquerades in 2024. Much more information will be available in the coming weeks but, in the meantime, if you have feedback, ideas, or questions about the new shows then please do get in touch.

We can’t wait to see you at MegaCon Live next year!