Capcom is judging your Chun Li cosplay now

We haven’t really heard of Capcom caring about fan-created content until now. The publisher recently revealed fan content guidelines, which suddenly indicate that there are prohibited things for cosplayers, streamers, and artists.

The new guidelines start with: “Capcom supports the creative activities of its users.”

But not all creative activities.

Capcom shares fan content guidelines for manga, games, music, cosplay, art

The overall consensus is that commercial use of their IPs is not allowed. This immediately made me think of all the Chun-Li body pillows and Riyu stickers I see all over Comic Cons in the Artists’ Alley.

Capcom explained that smaller-scale businesses could be okay, but the publisher may determine that companies stop sales if they feel it’s beyond their (not explained) definition of smaller scale. You may need a license to sell Capcom-inspired stuff at events, depending what it is.

There is then a list of guidelines for sellers, creatives, and cosplayers to follow:

• Use for commercial purposes (excluding activities in the category of hobbies as noted in Section IV)
• Content offensive to public order and morals, such as discriminatory expressions and obscene or lewd content
• Contents that is slanderous, religious, political, or antisocial
• Content that infringes the intellectual property or publicity rights of a third party
• Items that do not fall under the category of derivative works under these guidelines (e.g., items that do not have creative input by the user)
• Content that damages the reputation or image of Capcom or its property
• Any content, activity or presentation that may mislead people into believing that the content is official or authorized by Capcom
• Content that obstruct our business or have a negative impact on our business activities
• Copies of our products
• Any other use that Capcom deems inappropriate

I feel like most things at Comic Cons are “antisocial,” but hmmmm, okay. Essentially, Capcom doesn’t want you to use their characters in a manner that is lewd, offensive, or political. I feel lewd is a pretty wide spectrum, however, and should maybe be defined.

Reminds me of when Twitch banned adult content but Only Fans content creators got around it by wearing skin-tight pants or wearing bikinis in a hot tub in their office. What is considered a lewd Chun-Li cosplay?

Also, it was pointed out by other FGC journalists that Capcom didn’t mention game mods. So, I guess Chun-Li can be modded to be “lewder” in the game. But not at Anime Expo.

Streamers, be warned

In addition to the discussion of lewd content, Capcom’s guidelines emerged at a time when streamers are undoubtedly debating the pay-per-view issue surrounding the Capcom Cup 12. Capcom has somewhat cleared up any confusion about this by stating nobody should be re-streaming or sharing Street Fighter League content.

In other words, Capcom wants anyone who wants to watch the Grand Finals on schedule to pay money.

So, you got that? No co-streaming the Capcom Cup 12 while dressed as a scantily clad, politically aligned Chun-Li.