If you've been here for a while, you'll remember our DEATH STRANDING Porter Spotlight Series from 2023, which was created to celebrate members of our community who consistently go the extra mile with their creativity and passion for all things DEATH STRANDING.
We're excited to bring it back, this time with a focus on the cosplayers we've recently met. Over the coming months, we'll shine a spotlight on dedicated super-fans whose talent, creativity, and contributions have made a lasting impact on the DEATH STRANDING community. (And on us!)
Let's get started...
ːsteamthumbsupː ROOK ːsteamthumbsupː
Tell us a bit about yourself?
Hello there! I'm Rook, I've been cosplaying on and off for over a decade now but have only recently picked it back up with a vengeance. Turns out its an unrivalled creative and social outlet! I attempted the whole 'normal career' thing with history degree in hand but decided I was tired of being miserable and drastically changed paths. I am now a prop painter/maker for film and tv and, while its still early days, I am so much happier. As a fan of Hideo Kojima, I was anticipating the release of DEATH STRANDING from the very start (that first trailer still gives me the chills!). I look back so fondly at the days of the confused gaming masses trying to decode what everything meant before its release back in 2019. Needless to say I don't think anyone got anywhere close.
Tell us about your cosplay. Who are you cosplaying as, and why?
I am cosplaying as Higgs in his DEATH STRANDING look! He has so many different outfits it was tricky to choose between them, they all have aspects I like! Though in the end I picked this iteration as I find the nods to Egyptian iconography super charming. Also being able to use my own hair was a nice bonus. It marginally makes up for having shaving my eyebrows off… which I have done three times now as I can’t manage to cover them well enough with makeup. Being an obsessive perfectionist in this hobby comes with its downsides.
What game advice would you give to DEATH STRANDING newcomers?
Go in without expectations and meet the game at its own level. It's unlike anything else you will have played before. The closest comparison I could make is to something like Shadow of the Colossus, an experience that asks you to sit and be content with just your own company and the nature around you for long stretches. It can be an uncomfortable ask in an age where a constant barrage of mental stimulation is normalised, peace and silence can feel unnatural or strange but allowing yourself to exist in these moments is so valuable, even rewarding. You will start to notice small things, details you would never even think to consider before - the sound of the grass in the wind, how the ground shifts under foot and the hundreds of micro decisions taken to navigate safely, how many others have walked that same path before you. It is true for both game and real life.
I would highly recommend going for a walk or hike if DEATH STRANDING burrows its way into your soul like it did mine, it makes you appreciate the outdoors in a new way. You can't force a game like DEATH STRANDING to click, but if and when it does, it will change how you see games and the world around you. It certainly did for me. Now I can't get through the opening cutscene without crying. The title screen fading in with the music gets me every time.
What does the DEATH STRANDING community mean to you?
At risk of sounding like a broken record, it means a whole lot. Thanks to these games, I have the great pleasure of having so many talented and creative friends from all over the world. This community is exceptionally generous with its time and willing to lend a hand to those who need it, which is a heartwarming manifestation of one of DEATH STRANDING main theses. In general, the community is a great representation of the themes of connection and collaboration. Fans are so open and sincere about their love for these games, which I think reflects the unfiltered sincerity of their presentation, which is a wonderful thing to see in a time where irony poisoning continues its creep into popular culture.
What’s your process from concept to finished costume?
My first step is to collect plenty of reference images, overall full body shots and detail shots of the character. Then I will annotate the images with my initial thoughts, build ideas, materials I know I will need, things I am unsure of etc. I will often sketch parts of the costume too if I am having trouble visualising it. Then the research and buying stage, honestly this is usually the most time consuming for me as I am very fussy and particular about accuracy. My bookmarks tab is my best friend here and it helps me keep track of all my options while I agonise over what is best.
For me, sometimes a cosplay has elements that are better off purchased outright and edited, for example, Higgs’ jumpsuit is actual military surplus which I slightly tailored, added a zip closure and leg detail to, as are his boots which received a makeover to more accurately match his game model. Typically going from big to small is how I work, focusing on the main elements of a cosplay before looking at medium elements and then fine details. When everything is sewn and assembled I weather, weather, weather (aka make it look like the cosplay has actually been worn in the setting.) So for Higgs that meant a lot of scuffs, dirt, scratches, rips and TAR (UV resin dyed black with resin dye). Lots and lots of tar!
Social: Instagram: rook_sarge
DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1850570/DEATH_STRANDING_DIRECTORS_CUT/
DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3280350/DEATH_STRANDING_2_ON_THE_BEACH/