Olympics are on my brain, so some thoughts about LARP competitions...
In-game competitions are often excellent ways to a) advance a plot, b) entertain PCs, and c) use a conservative number of NPCs to accomplish both a and b. Set in the middle of an event, a contest of some sort, lasting for a few hours, can not only add to the gameworld atmosphere, but also occupy PCs who would otherwise be bored. For this reason, in-game contests are a frequent occurrence in LARPs, especially in games that emphasize a larger landscape outside the central "town." Contests, executed well, can be excellent ways to introduce NPCs, encourage PC bonding, and allow people to demonstrate special talents. However, less successful contests also exist, and we've probably all experience one or two.
All of this considered, I wanted to pose some questions about IG competitions? Do you like them? How are the best utilized? What format do you prefer? Should there be a boon, prize, or reward? What should be avoided?
In-game competitions are often excellent ways to a) advance a plot, b) entertain PCs, and c) use a conservative number of NPCs to accomplish both a and b. Set in the middle of an event, a contest of some sort, lasting for a few hours, can not only add to the gameworld atmosphere, but also occupy PCs who would otherwise be bored. For this reason, in-game contests are a frequent occurrence in LARPs, especially in games that emphasize a larger landscape outside the central "town." Contests, executed well, can be excellent ways to introduce NPCs, encourage PC bonding, and allow people to demonstrate special talents. However, less successful contests also exist, and we've probably all experience one or two.
All of this considered, I wanted to pose some questions about IG competitions? Do you like them? How are the best utilized? What format do you prefer? Should there be a boon, prize, or reward? What should be avoided?
