We are less than a month away from GameStart 2017. One of the best Gaming event in Singapore, GameStart 2017 is happening on the 14th and 15th Oct at Suntec Convention Centre. GameStart has grown from a small gaming convention since its inception to a gaming convention that is not to be missed.
Who should go to GameStart?
Credits: GameStart Asia
If you are a gamer, be it console gaming or PC gaming, you must not miss GameStart. There isn’t many convention dedicated to gaming in Singapore and GameStart is definitely one that you should not miss. This is the closest thing you can get to E3 or the Tokyo Game Show in Singapore.
Even if you are not a hardcore gamer, the event will also feature Retro and Indie game for the more casual gamers. Table top games will also be given a special area. More information on the GameStart Tabletop activities can be found at www.gamestart.asia/tabletop. Or if you like Doujin, the return of the Doujin Market will definitely delight you.
What can you expect at GameStart 2017?
Playstation and GameStart
Credits: GameStart Asia
Sony is back with twice the booth size compared to last year. This means more PlayStation booth for us to try out the latest games.
Sony Interactive Entertainment Singapore will be one of the major sponsor for the Southeast Asia Major (SEAM), the largest fighting game tournament in Asia. See players fight their way to the top in these top fighting games; Street FIghter V, Marvel Vs. Capcom Infinite, Tekken 7 and more.
Back by popular demand, Doujin Market at GameStart 2017 now has almost double the number of artists.
You can read more about last year Doujin Market at GameStart Asia here.
Credits: GameStart Asia
Cosplayer
Cosplaying is a mix of art and craft. Guest cosplayers, Astro Kerrie and Yasemin Arslan from Australia will wow you with their stunning game cosplay as if your gaming characters pop out into the real world. You can also come in your cosplay and take part in the Cosplay Runway.
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GameStart Tabletop
Credits: GameStart Asia
The Table Top dedicated zone for all things Table Top. You can buy any Table Top game your fancy or if you are not ready, rent and try out the game before making your Purchase.
Competition will also be held for table top games like Citadel, Exploding Kittens, Love Letter and Sushi Go. More details here.
We can’t wait for the event! You can now get your early bird ticket now at their website.
Meanwhile check out the highlights from GameStart 2016
The 10th Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention (STGCC) held this year at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre has manage to outdo itself yet again. A new dedicated gaming zone called the Good Game Experience and a Star Wars Experience Zone that lets you walk into Star Wars literally, this has to be the best STGCC yet!
Small Toys and Life-size Toys
Toys. That’s the reason why you go to STGCC. Upon our entry into STGCC 2017, Thor and Hulk greeted us. We knew at that moment that this convention is going to be great. Too many toys to see, too little money to buy them all.
War Machine Cosplayer
Ok he is not a toy but this cosplayer definitely brings War Machine to life with his larger-than-life armour.
Iron Man in Iron Man
So Iron Man has a Iron Man suit which has another Iron Man suit and … Ok this is getting complicated. This could be a variant of the Hulk Buster. The intricacy of the model is just amazing. I can stare at it for hours just admiring the level of details in this model.
Optimus Prime
Transformer, robots in disguise. Lots of Transformer toys ranging from the more contemporary ones to the retro version.
Hulk Buster
Thor
Street Fighter
Toys that put your Street Fighter in ‘pause’ mode for eternity. Again, 3 hours gone staring at it.
Walk into Star Wars
Entry to Star Wars World
[Cue Star Wars Opening Music] Fans of Star Wars must have been thrilled at this year STGCC. The dedicated zone to Star Wars included a plethora of things to do and see. You can take picture with life-size fan-built Rey’s Speeder, or sit down inside the Millennium Falcon and imagine you are Han Solo.
Rey’s Speeder (Rey sold separately)
I have asked myself multi-times. How can this be fan-built? It looks exactly like the one in the movie. Lucasfilm please hire them.
Storm Troopers guarding KYLO REN’S TIE SILENCER
Kylo Ren’s Tie Silencer was heavily by his storm trooper. Where is Kylo Ren?
He was spotted on board the Millennium Falcon. Visitors can take picture with this set too. Kylo Ren included.
And of course, we have Star Wars Models and toys. Loads and loads of them to satisfy the Star Wars fan in you.
Good Game Experience
This year, the gaming arm of STGCC has an entire dedicated hall that resembles the atmosphere of an E3 convention. On the main stage we have Esports screening while there are many games for you to try out in the other parts of the hall.
VR Boxing
There are multiple VR gaming station for your to experience. Provider includes HTC VIVE and PlayStation VR.
The Chillax Zone provide bean bags for your to laze on while playing games. An oasis for your tire body.
Table top games are held at the special Colosseum area of the Good Game Experience Zone.
Akiba Town Rocking STGCC
Akiba Town has a mini stage where we can all gather and release our inner Otaku through anime music.
Bye STGCC 2017, See You Next Year
And so, our STGCC 2017 adventure is over. We hope you enjoyed our coverage of the event! If you miss it this year, make sure to go for the next year event.
What’s a convention without cosplayers? These dedicated individuals bring our 2D heroes/heroines/waifus into real life with their elaborate cosplay. We manage to grab an interview with three of STGCC (Singapore Game Toy and Comic Convention) 2017 Guest Cosplayers before the event itself.
[GT] When did you start cosplaying and how did you get started in cosplaying?
[Iori] I started because I like anime and games. When I started to cosplay my favorite characters, I was excited and felt happy about it and hence, I continued on.
[GT] Cosplaying could be an expensive and time consuming hobby. What keeps you going?
[Iori] I think whatever hobby you have, when you take your hobby seriously, you will tend to spend much more money on it. But, to quit your hobby because it’s time consuming or expensive is not really something I would choose. For me, it’s fun to do cosplay and that’s why I continue this hobby.
[GT] Can you share with us the most difficult cosplay you have done? What are the challenges that you face.
[Iori] For my Final Fantasy X Yuna cosplay, I did a shoot in the sea and one at a quarry as well. When shooting in nature for the first time, I felt that it was the nearest I could get to my character. At the same time, it was not easy at all for me.
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[GT] Any tips for new cosplayer?
[Iori] There are many ways to enjoy cosplay such as wearing the costume and phototaking. Of course, there are other fun elements out there as well, so you need to explore on your own and find things that make you happy.
[GT] What upcoming cosplay project you have in your pipeline? [Iori] Probably characters from Fate/Grand Order.
[GT] When did you start cosplaying and how did you get started in cosplaying? [Shimo] I started when I was in high school when my schoolmate brought me to an event and I got in contact with cosplay.
[GT] Cosplaying could be an expensive and time consuming hobby. What keeps you going? [Shimo] My friends who do cosplay together with me and those who like me gives me strength to continue. Also, when I see a photo that I’m satisfied with, it does encourage me as well.
[GT] Can you share with us the most difficult cosplay you have done? What are the challenges that you faced.
[Shimo] For me, it will be my Rory Mercury cosplay from the series Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There! The weapon was extremely heavy and the shoes I wore were very tall as well. Hence, each shot was very exhausting for me. In my previous photobook, we went deep into the mountains and pond to shoot. For me, it was a challenging experience.
[GT ]How to you view cosplay? Is it a hobby? A passion or aprofession?
[Shimo] It’s both.
[GT] Which is your most favourite character that you enjoyed cosplaying in. [Shimo] Minami Kotori from Love Live!
[GT] After STGCC, what other convention you are going next? [Shimo] I will be going to Comic Fiesta in December as well as Winter Comiket. Please come and find me! XD
[GT] When did you start cosplaying and how did you get started in cosplaying?
[Siutao] It’s almost 10 years ago….XD At the time, my friends and I like anime culture. One of my friends who was doing doujin art asked me if I would like to try out cosplay together. So, we did our own costumes! Unfortunately, my friend who asked couldn’t make it on time so I had to cosplay alone. (Laughs)
[GT] Cosplaying could be an expensive and time consuming hobby. What keeps you going?
[Siutao] I agree it can be an expensive and time consuming hobby. Despite that, cosplay had given me so much more in my life. Like the fun and satisfaction I experienced when I did my own costume and weapon, the joy I received from cosplaying my favorite character. I also made a lot more friends through cosplay or our love for the same series. I learnt new skills in life as well, thanks to cosplay! For a hobby which takes up a good part of my life, I can’t imagine my life without it and it’s so hard to give up! (Laughs)
[GT] Can you share with us the most difficult cosplay you have done? What are the challenges that you face.
[Siutao] Probably each time when I need to do large prop for cosplay, like those I had for <Kantai Collection>. As the apartment space in Hong Kong is very limited, it’s very difficult when I have to do large props and I have issues keeping them as well. Hence, there are times when I have to think twice when I want to cosplay characters with large props or armour.
[GT] How to you view cosplay? Is it a hobby? A passion or a profession?
[Siutao] To me, it’s a hobby. Everything started out as a passion and later changed to a hobby and it hasn’t changed a bit for me. I do have my own daily job, though something I do get commercial cosplay postings as well but to call it as a profession, it’s still far off from that.
[GT] Which is your most favourite character that you enjoy cosplaying in. [Siutao] I like them all, so it’s hard to choose (laughs). However, if we are talking about satisfaction, then my most satisfied cosplay will be Kaga from <Kantai Collection>.
[GT] Any tips for new cosplayer? [Siutao] Enjoy the fun Cosplay brings to you, do what you need to do and don’t mind people’s comments and looks! Each time you are not satisfied with your cosplay, learn from your experience and take in constructive comments with an open mind. Work and hard to improve on your next cosplay!
[GT] What upcoming cosplay project you have in your pipeline. [Siutao] Cosplayers have a lot of characters they plan to do! (Laughs) I’m completing one with armour soon, so you guys can guess which it is! XD I have been thinking about it for some time but I didn’t had the time to do it properly so…(cry)
[GT] After STGCC, what other convention you are going next? [Siutao] Perhaps I will be traveling to Malaysia at the end of the year to attend event on my own.
That’s it! We would like to thank all three of them for sharing with us their cosplay journey in our interview. Want to catch a glimpse of these wonderful cosplayers? Or better still take pictures with them? Remember to come down to the 10th Singapore Toy Game and Comic Convention (STGCC) at Marina Bay Sands on the 9th and 10th September 2017. You can get your tickets online now at https://www.singaporetgcc.com/Tickets_Merchandise/
