What is Masquerading?
Masquerading is THE Social Fiction Community for people who love characters, costumes, themed events, and layered identity. You can create characters, switch between them instantly, discover events worldwide, and meet people who understand your love of Masquerading. Our core concept is simple: "BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE."
What Makes Masquerading Unique?
Unlike traditional social media, Masquerading is built around Social Fiction - a character-first way to socialise online. It is not just for roleplayers. If you are into cosplay, LARP, lookalikes, tribute nights, themed cinema or theatre screenings, 80s weekends, fancy dress, or original personas, Masquerading gives you a place to show up as the version of you that fits the moment.
Key Features
- Character Creation: Create unlimited characters with avatars, names, taglines, and different vibes for different events, rooms, or storylines.
- The Lanyard: Instantly quick-change between your characters from around the platform without logging out or starting over.
- The Arena: Your news feed featuring Director Headlines (official announcements) and The Wire (live activity feed).
- Green Rooms: Group chats for characters, casts, fandoms, friend groups, and event hype before the big night.
- Direct Monologue (DM): Private messaging between two people - the only place you are clearly out-of-character, "behind the mask."
- Events Map: Discover events worldwide, from conventions and LARPs to tribute nights, themed screenings, and decade weekends.
- Masquerading Dating: Hidden feature for people who want to find someone who gets their love of Masquerading.
- AI Stage Manager: Your platform assistant powered by Google Gemini to help you navigate and learn.
In-Character vs Out-of-Character
Understanding this distinction helps a lot:
- Character-first spaces: The Arena, Green Rooms, Events, Character Browser, and Masquerading Dating are designed around the character or costume you are currently using.
- Out-of-character space: Direct Monologue (DM) is where you interact as your real self, "behind the mask."
You do not need to be a strict improviser or stay in character every second. Think of Masquerading as a platform where identity, presentation, and play come first.
Getting Started
Ready to begin? Start by creating your first character, exploring The Arena, and learning how to quick-change between identities with The Lanyard. Then check out our Creating Your First Character guide.