LARPing: How is it Done?

The act of role playing has been a concept found throughout all human cultures since before recorded history. It starts with our children and it ends with the adults playing the role set for them by society and their own actions in life. To break out of the monotony that this can cause we sometimes choose to be someone else for a time to experience life in dynamic new ways and of course, to have a great deal of fun. LARPing, live action role playing, is one method for becoming someone else.

How is LARPing Accomplished?

LARPing is a type of acting with a set of gaming rules on one end of the spectrum and it is a game with a set of acting rules on the other end of that same spectrum. To LARP there are three things that must be done to allow for the game to be successful.

First there must be a world setting. Without a world and at least a minimum of history of that world there cannot be a role to play there. The world setting includes the games rules as well. How do the characters interact? Are there spells or super technologies available? Are there any races besides Human beings and if so do they have inherent abilities? These and other questions must be asked in detail as well as the question of how the characters can show they are utilizing such abilities as previously mentioned.

Further it must be decided whether the game is set up in a free form reenactment style, basically if there is combat no one roles dice or utilizes rock, paper, scissors and the winner is decided by committee, forfeit, or knockout. The latter is generally only going to occur in LARPing sessions that include real combat without foam padded weapons. Martial arts LARPs as well as medieval themed ones often include real fighting in period armor with real, if blunted, fantasy weapons or those based on historical ones.

Second there must be characters within that world. While LARPing can be done with a scant few people just like table top role playing it is much better to attempt this level of play with a larger group. This allows for a richer experience, so long as the game master (GM) or gaming council of the setting is able to reign in all the ego that will crop up amongst such a varied and large group.

Third the players must have a place in the real world to LARP. Some excellent places are rural farmhouses, private beaches, and campgrounds. The truly enterprising LARPers might actually pool resources and buy some rundown buildings outside of any town and convert these slowly into a real life version of a LARP based town.

LARPing is a fun recreational activity and hobby that brings many people together to live for a time in a world that either no longer exists or never did. There are many kinds including fantasy or science fiction based LARPs. The LARPers themselves come in as varied a collection of individuals as anyone can imagine and this shows through in their play.

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