CEO 2025 Cosplay Contest
The cosplay contest at CEO celebrates the convergence of cosplay and fighting games. All entrants are encouraged to dress as playable characters within the fighting game genre. The contest will highlight the creative skills and artistic ability of the entrants, while paying homage to fighting games as a whole. CEO’s Cosplay Contest is a free-to-enter activity with pre-judging available in a publicly accessible area in A TBD AREA of CEO. The cosplay contest takes place on Saturday June 14th. Pre-Judging will take place from 1 pm until 4 pm in a TBD Space. Awards and Cosplay showcase will begin around 5-7 pm Saturday evening (Final time TBD) inside of the main ballroom. (Schedule subject to change within an hour time frame)
Vitamin D Cosplay will also be hosting our Cosplay Repair and Community Station all weekend.
Please note, you will need either a Spectator Weekend badge start.gg/ceo or a single day Saturday wristband which will be available at the door for $50.
Categories and Rules
- Contestants will have their Cosplays reviewed on the following criteria:
- Creation: The entrant must have made 75% or more of their costume OR the costume creator can showcase their work on a cosplay model.
- Craftsmanship: The stitching, fabric selection, form, fit, and construction of your costume. This category includes prop-making in our contest.
- Accuracy: How well your costume represents your character.
- Originality: Is your costume unique? Did it require inventive crafting to realize?
- Presence: Do you bring your character to life?
- Weaponry Rule: Only blunted, wood, plastic, or otherwise non-lethal weaponry will be allowed.
- A build book or images on your phone of in-progress photos and reference images for the Cosplay are required to show our judges.
- While not required, basing your cosplay on a fighting game character from our official game list would be preferred.
- Original designs of existing characters are welcome! You must present a sketch of your design along with progress of your work
- Any costume that has won a craftsmanship award at any previous event is not eligible to complete for a craftsmanship award at CEO
- CEO’s contest is open to cosplayers of all skill levels, but our Finalists will need to display great skill and a love of fighting game characters to go home awarded. All costumes will be judged singularly, with no additional favor shown to group costumes.
- Please note that rules, times, and locations are subject to change and any updates will be posted on CEO social channels.
Prizing
Prizing will be announced closer to the event!
All categories below will receive a CEO 2025 Medal.
1st Place / Best In Show Costume
2nd Place / Runner-Up Costume
3rd Place / Notable Cosplay Costume
4th Place Honorable Mention
3 Judge’s awards
1 Jebailey Award for his personal favorite.
Your Judges
Vitamin D
Vitamin D Cosplay accomplished a lot with and for the Cosplay community. He believes that he has forged great bonds creators internationally through dumbells and foam. Has earned medals from Cosplay Contests, and given medals in Cosplay Contests. Has been in magazines, local newspapers, and featured on Zoa’s Instagram Page. Annually speaks on panels about finding confidence through, and to cosplay, as well as lead workshops in foam crafting. Had the honor of organizing, and leading Cosplay Corners, and Zones for various Conventions, and Tournaments for others to raise money for charities, or sell their own merch. Preferred Fighting Games: Brawlhalla, Super Smash Bros., Tekken 8, and obscure retro titles.
MsValentine
Jill Valentine. Lord Beerus. Tifa Lockhart. There’s a long list of wonderful characters that Ann Marie (MsValentine) has poured her heart and soul into over the past 20 years, and has brought to life through her contributions to the world of cosplay. Winning awards as such as “Best Individual”, “Best Craftsmanship”, and “Best in Show”, creating panels for various fandoms, and providing leadership to guide the course of cosplay programming at events such as CEO and First Attack, she tirelessly pursues excellence and strives to push herself, and those around her, beyond limits with each creation. When Ann isn’t bringing another character to life, you might find her supporting her favorite players, gaming, or spending time with her pets, Drake and Luna. But more often than not, you’ll discover her radiating joy through various communities via her handmade gifts, positivity, and willingness to share experiences.
Kry Rayne
Kry Rayne is an avid fighting game enthusiast and cosplayer based out of southern California. Being part of the FGC is an important pillar of her passion for cosplay, and nothing inspires her more than seeing cosplayers get into character to showcase their love of a game. She has been known to wander around pools to cheer on friends and check out matches, even on an international level. Kry loves learning new techniques in all facets of cosplaying to be able to showcase her mains and their iconic weapons. Always looking to encourage others into the hobby of cosplay, she loves talking shop or helping with any questions they might have. She has won medals from majors such as EVO, EVOJapan, ComboBreaker, Frosty Faustings, and CEOtaku for Cosplay. Come share the love of your cosplay with her at CEO!
