Under a blazingly hot LA sun, by midday on Saturday the EA Play event was in full swing. Fans were whirring, players were seeking shelter under parasols – and with the giant skeletal decorations, it almost felt like stepping into King’s Canyon itself. In part, this is because the entire Apex Legends line-up was there too. Nine characters, in full costume and make-up, were busy acting out their roles and smiling for the cameras to the delight of nearby guests.
But one of these cosplays was particularly remarkable. Octane – the high energy, daredevil character who (canonically) blew his legs off with a grenade when setting a Gauntlet course record – was represented at Play by a double amputee wearing custom prosthetics created specifically for the occasion.
And, in another twist, it turned out the person playing Octane was actually a she.
