As a sci-fi game, costume briefs have the advantage of allowing modern garments, but it can be difficult to source specific futuristic kit. Here are some points to help you when designing your character’s look.

Lean into planet briefs

The more everyone matches their planet’s fashion brief, the more cohesive the game will be. Work to create a character that is part of the world, instead of trying to jam in an existing character.

Accessorize

Pieces of tech, jewellery, and small accessories can turn a good costume into a great one. Consider what is common on your planet, or has meaning to your character.

Add Lights

EL wire, fairy lights, glowsticks, and glow-in-the-dark paint can quickly add a sci-fi look to an otherwise modern outfit.

Weather your gear

Playing a character from a planet that recycles their gear? A bit of weathering with fake rust or worn fabrics will go a long way.

Don’t overdo it

A simple, well executed costume is better than a fragile extravagant one.

Armour

Armour must be safe to use in combat. It must not damage melee weapons, not cause injury to yourself or others, and be durable enough to withstand hits without breaking.

Personal Welfare

It’s a futuristic game, so bring comfort items. Fans to go around your neck, personal heaters, headphones, torches, smart watches, and pedometers are all suitable to wear for your character.

Ask for help

There are many costumers in our community already. If you need advice or ideas on how to do something, just ask!

Costume Feedback

You may give feedback on other player’s costumes and interpretations of the game, but this must be done in a polite manner to enhance everyone’s game immersion, and must not be used to insult or belittle anyone or single them out.

Always strive to include positives in feedback, and if asked to stop giving feedback, stop.

If you believe someone’s costume is inappropriate for the game and they do not plan to change it, please contact us.

Things to Avoid

Military Costumes

Any military clothing should be used as a part of a larger outfit.

Iconic historical military items are best avoided. Napoleonic jackets, full camo outfits, ghillie suits, and real world medal bars do not suit this setting. No real world cap badges or military unit insignia should be used. If you want to wear camo, dark grey or digital camo would be most suitable, otherwise limit the amount on you.
You should take care with sourcing military gas masks pre-2005 due to potential Asbestos filters.

Cosplay Items

Ardent Spacers is an original IP game, not a cosplay event. Any cosplay elements to your costume should be edited so they are not instantly recognisable as a specific character from media.

Iconic armour, such as stormtrooper helmets or space marine suits, is best avoided.

Wear your own custom costume parts and accessories over the top of cosplay pieces, cover game logos, mix-and-match armour, or repaint sections to make the costume your own design.

We realise some players may only have access to cosplay armour, and that original sci-fi armour is difficult to buy, so have some leniency if good-faith attempts have been made.

Fantasy Costumes

Fantasy and historic costume elements, especially armour, should only be used in small sections and not as full outfits. Clothing such as viking tunics and medieval tabard are not on-brief for players.

Branded products

It’s impossible to fully escape from brands, but we encourage you to cover up or customise modern brand logos wherever possible.
Altering brands to look like made-up futuristic brands or knock-offs is highly encouraged.

Explicit Clothing

Nudity (as would be unacceptable on a public beach) is not permitted.
Items of clothing that are explicitly and solely sexual in nature are not permitted in public game spaces.

If in doubt, email in.

Galactic Threats

There are a number of persistent threats to the Alliance – factions who complicate matters at the best of times, and violently attack the Alliance at the worst.
These factions are designed to be visually distinct from players, but this also relies on you! If your character concept too closely matches one of these groups, you may be mistaken for them unless you add some clear Ardent or homeworld kit pieces.

THRONE

CODE: THRONE characters are powerful robotic aliens. We suggest player Anthroid characters avoid long, trailing wires or tubes, or square sequined fabrics.

SHADOW

CODE: SHADOW characters are from militaristic groups scrabbling for control of the ruins of a fallen empire. Avoiding full body military gear without bright colours.
MOSAIC

CODE: MOSAIC characters are á̸͙ ̴̺̔c̵̠͝ļ̴͠ă̴̲š̷̤s̸͍̍i̸̖͒f̸̯̃i̵̪̅e̴͙͑d̴̺̽ ̶̥͗g̶̙̎ả̴͚l̷̞̓ȁ̴͙c̵̥͑t̵̛͇ȋ̴ͅc̷̩̄ ̷́͜t̵̮̚h̷͔͝ȓ̴̪e̸̱̿a̴̅͜t̴̥͐ whose appearance is not yet publicly known.