Nerfenstein Creates Amazing 3D Printed Cosplayer Props and Weaponry

For those who love playing video games, there is something cool about actually seeing props and weapons from those video games in the real world around us. There is a whole subculture, one which centers around a performance art called cosplay, short for ‘costume play.’ This is when fans of video games, anime, comic books, and films take on the persona of various characters they admire within these virtual realms.

To cosplay, one usually needs props and the appropriate attire to act the part. Depending on how far the cosplayer decides to take it, this can be costly, but also extremely entertaining to both participate in, as well as watch.

One woman named Angela Simpson, who goes by the nicknames Nerfenstein, and GirlyGamer, has created an entire business around the creation of props for cosplayers, as well as others interested in her talents. Her work is simply amazing, and she has quite the social media following because of it.

Last December, Simpson, aka Nerfenstein decided to invest in a 3D printer. She purchased an UP Plus2 3D printer, and within a short amount of time she began using it to create props.

PipBoy 3000 Prop

“I decided to get [a 3D printer] because it looked like fun and I’ve always had a bit of an interest in emerging tech (I’m an early adopter),” Simpson told 3DPrint.com. “3D printing has already expanded the role of my prop making. I can now model things from air, and make them into tangible things without all the mess of power tools and other dangerous devices.”

Simpson also told us that because of 3D printing it is extremely easy to duplicate objects. When asked about her client base and whether or not she has had the chance to cater to anyone of fame, she joked,

“Most of my clients are cosplayers from around the globe, I’m sure they’re famous within their little circles, as some of them are astonishing, but no, sadly Brad and Angelina have yet to commission me.”

As a prop maker, her 3D printing has really enabled her to create unique objects, as well as model objects which are very recognizable to cosplayers. She feels that the technology is revolutionary, and that it still seems ‘magical’ to her every time she turns on her UP Plus2 printer. She explained to us, however, that the technology seems to be a dichotomy. On one hand, it allows nearly anyone to become a prop maker, which is great, but on the other hand, if anyone can simply print a prop out, the artisan’s job is essentially out the window. Most of Simpson’s work, can be found on her site GirlyGamer.com.au. Discuss her amazing work in the 3DPB.com Nerfenstein forum thread. Check out some of Simpson’s amazing work. Every piece below has been 3D printed.