A new feature on the blog: Theory Thursday. On Thursdays, I will publish one or more completely open-ended questions about larping. Please answer, debate, and pose new questions in response!
Many games are releasing increasingly advanced websites. What do you look for in a larp website? What information is useful to you? Aesthetically, what sort of layout is the easiest to manage? What other things do you like to have available online?
Examples of LARP Websites:
Invictus (main site)
Invictus (forums)
Endgame (main site)
Nordic Larp Wiki (game wiki)
The Exiles: Western LARP Ohio (main site)
Many games are releasing increasingly advanced websites. What do you look for in a larp website? What information is useful to you? Aesthetically, what sort of layout is the easiest to manage? What other things do you like to have available online?
Examples of LARP Websites:
Invictus (main site)
Invictus (forums)
Endgame (main site)
Nordic Larp Wiki (game wiki)
The Exiles: Western LARP Ohio (main site)
Obviously I'm a bit biased here, but I think the main website for Invictus is probably worth linking, not just the forums. The forums serve several really important functions, but they're not the whole picture. www.invictuslarp.com
ReplyDeleteWhen talking to Dave (the web guy for Invictus) we agreed that the main website for a LARP needs to have certain information as rapidly available as possible. Things like events dates, campsite location, and contact info are all too often really hard to find in LARP sites. You find them buried under a mess of confusing links to the point where the casual observer gives up and goes elsewhere. Making the experience of coming to a game as painless as possible includes making the logistical information easy to see.
Sorry-- I actually thought I did link both to show how differently a website can be used. my bad. it's linked now.
DeleteAgree with Mickey's point above.
ReplyDeleteExpanding on that, I'd say that I'm ideally looking for the ability to access info in some sort of structured/tiered formation.
Tier 1: Logistics
Tier 2: Basic mechanics and world info; stuff you need to build a character or a casual NPC
Tier 3: Fora/community stuff
Tier 4: All the rest of the world info, for when I have time weighing heavy on my hands and want to read every word that has ever been written on anything and absorb all the tasty flavor.
That said, I've been watching two new sites unfold and roll out information a little at a time (Cottington Woods and Shadows of Amun), and it's been an interesting thing to watch the development, since all that information naturally starts to show up in essentially reverse order. Which is great for building floon! But also makes me hope that the eventual style of organization will be structured as above, rather than in rollout-order.
I agree with having tier 2 out ASAP. I love world building stuff, but I like having concrete information out as well-- when I'm looking at world information, it helps me structure different character ideas: for example, "oh, ok, these are the basic weaponry skills, so I should scratch that idea I had for an archer, and go with shield fighter instead." Then I can flesh the character out with world information.
DeleteLots and lots of animated GIFs and MIDI music!
ReplyDeleteBut in seriousness I do love maps. It's probably an Eagle Scout hang over but looking at maps gets me invested. And keep them updated *cough* Madrigal *cough.*
An ideal LARP websites serves two functions: (1) communicate info about the game, and (2) serve as a rallying point for the community.
ReplyDelete(1) was covered pretty well by Mickey and Ted
(2) in addition to forums, links to facebook, twitter, whatever media you're using to get newcomers hooked and dragged into the inner circle, it's a good idea to have some way for players to submit content to the site. For example, a local blog that anybody can get an account on, or individual character blogs.
I'd add that having pictures of your game is important, it communicates a lot of information in a very concise package. I've definitely made the decision whether or not to go to a LARP based on the quality of costumes, makeup, monsters, etc that you can see in pix.
I really think make-up and costume guides would be helpful additions to most LARP sites-- it gives newer players (whether they're new to gaming or make-up) a sense of how they should approach complicated cosmetics, clothing etc.
DeleteAt the last Intercon's Pre-Con, (http://interactiveliterature.org/L/Thursday.php) there was a panel called Promoting Your LARP. I missed it, but I heard the panelist took actual LARP websites and critiqued them, and made some excellent points.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of amazing how often I find a LARP that sounds cool, then discover it's actually in another country, or took place years ago. LARPing websites should all include a date on the front page (with the year!!) and location, also on the front page- with the town, state, and country. There are some LARPs I didn't realize were in England before I spotted the price listed in pounds.
Like any website, ease of navigation is important, but I also cut some slack for LARPs that don't have much content yet- I figure it's probably easier to organize when you have everything you want players to know, and not just bits and pieces.
Personally, I love a page with information on flavor- what sources they draw inspiration from (with suggested books or movies to check out, or real cultures that give the right look for costumes and props.)
First priority is having all of the following information available within a single click of your main page:
ReplyDelete-Location (must include town and state or country)
-Time (event date, year and check-in/game-on times - the last bit is something a lot of larp sites seem to inexplicably leave off or bruy in the forums)
-Cost
-What ruleset are you using?
-Short elevator pitch - what is the game about? Genre? Tone?
I'd like to see more info - both setting and rules - in wiki format. It really is the most convenient format to read.
Aesthetically I like a clean layout. I hate splash pages.
I want different communication methods to be used appropriately. Important announcements - like event date changes, or policy changes - should be emailed out, not put in a forum where they can be easily missed. Similarly, general chatter and RP should go to a forum, not spammed to a general mailing list. Basic info like dates or cost should always be accessible from the front page, not buried in the forums as a post.