Guest Contributor: LARP in the Media Series

I write on LARP in popular Media relatively frequently, so I’m always excited to get other perspectives. Inspired by recent conversations on facebook and elsewhere, Anthony was inspired to write this essay on the use of LARP in popular media. As a media-positive person, I think this is really provocative. I’m curious to hear people’s responses, as well as possible solutions to this problem.

Why LARP Should Not Be Portrayed in Film and Television

by Anthony Reed

Recently, Zoe made a post on her facebook page about a clip from the IFC show Portlandia; the clip was about some steampunks in a hotel, and the larger conversation spoke to the representation of LARP in media. Related to this, the Portlandia clip really bugged me, and I love Portlandia (Seth Meyers is fantastic). Within the facebook threat, people were springing to defend the clip as being what Portlandia “does”: Carrie and Fred, acting like idiots while existing inside a subculture (this time steampunk RPers), is the whole point. I understand that argument and would mostly agree, except it wasn’t Carrie and Fred being idiots that got me about this skit. It was a discussion they have with an old woman outside of the elevator. I couldn’t nail down specifically what bugged me about it, but I knew that was the scene that was sticking in my craw.

LARPcast!

This blog is primarily about PCs, and LARPcast centers around staff and game-design. However, it's important not to forget the NPCs that make a game run. The LARPcast team answers some questions has a good post about how to effectively play an NPC. Check it out!

http://larpcast.podbean.com/2012/03/14/larpcast-25-npc-questions/

What are your experiences, good, bad, and ugly, with NPCing? Consider, especially, character development. Have you ever had a character that should have been boring but was absolutely fantastic? What about a character that was beautifully written, but fell flat?

The Winter Revel: Forward to the Cold

Contributor: Zoe

Submission: non-fiction thoughts on Winter LARPing

LARP System: Accelerant

Characters: Tev/Esme

Location: Cambridge, MA

Some thoughts on how to stay safe and have fun during the chill of winter's cold. Check out LARPcast for a Winter Larping episode from Mickey and Bill.

With the Mirror, Mirror Winter Revel swiftly approaching, it's time to think about bundling ourselves out to weather the winds and chills. Admittedly, it has been a mild winter-- troublingly so-- and, with our fireplaces and woodstoves quietly unused, we look forward to fair weather and brisk battles on spring grass.

However, as longtime New Englanders are well aware, the shift from winter-to-spring is a fickle thing. We still face frigid evenings and wind chills that pierce deep into our bones. With that in mind, use this Winter LARPing key as a guide to help you through the frost...

The LARP Community: Who Are We?

Contributor: Zoe
Submission: The LARP Community: Who Are We? Non-fiction on a current controversy
LARP (system): Accelerant
Location: Cambridge, MA
Character name: Esme Kingslocke, Tev
Years LARPing: 2


So, as most of you have probably read, there currently brews a controversy about NERO forums, goblin policies, the LARPcast guys (Bill and Mickey), and competition for players.

I really know absolutely nothing about NERO, the goblin policy, and/or NERO rules in general. I have close friends, who have posted to this blog, who really enjoy playing NERO, and I’m happy for them. I really don’t have much of an interest in NERO, though I’d try anything once. However, I wanted to add my online support for Mickey and Bill. I don’t have anywhere near the readership that Mickey and Bill have, but I appreciate my readers’ commentary, my contributors, and the discussion generated by this blog. So, I wanted to give the readers the opportunity to (respectfully) commentate on this issue.

Mickey and Bill, to my understanding, were accused of “driving off players” or “ruining forums” due to posting links to LARPcast and LARPOhio on the NERO forums. In fairness, Mickey and Bill have both posted criticism of the NERO system and rules on their blogs/podcasts. I’m not getting into the nuances of this controversy, please check out the LARPcast podcast for Mickey and Bill’s perspective on the situation. (And, please, check out Joe Valenti’s posts/rebuttals as well.)

There’s a big problem, here, however. And that’s the LARP community and the seeming disregard for the importance of this community. I have been fortunate enough to play in the Accelerant community, where, system-wide, we share XP/CP systems (a leveling-up system, for non-LARPers), costumes, make-up, and, perhaps most importantly, criticism. The owner of Accelerant, Rob Ciccolini, openly encourages players, other GMs, and staff members to comment on the game system to make the game better. Rob, his staff(s), NPCs, and players have worked hard to make a PvE environment that, most importantly, creates a positive, inclusive gameworld.

Moreover, while there is some negative sentiment among small cliques of Accelerant players, Rob and the majority of his staff work hard to encourage a panLARP community that embraces the advantages and disadvantages of all LARPs. If Rob or his staff knew that a player were being stigmatized due to involvement in NERO, I’m pretty sure the bullies would be kicked out of the game, or at least warned that such behavior would not be tolerated.

Before I move on, Accelerant, and the predominant players in Accelerant, have worked hard to engender an open, inclusive, and positive LARPing experience. It’s really too bad that Joe Valenti has responded so negatively to this situation. I know it doesn’t reflect on the entire NERO situation, nor, most importantly, NERO players or staff.

So, Mickey and Bill, perhaps borrowing from somebody else, have talked about the “Zero NPC moment.” That moment in your game when your players are playing. Without you. How does this happen? You’ve created a game so good and so engaging that your players can entertain themselves. They are so involved in the game that they don’t need an NPC to entertain them. I thought this, the zero NPC moment, was what LARPing was all about. And how does this moment happen? You make your game better and better over time, taking criticism, ideas from other games and other game systems, and, most importantly, you use every type of media possible to get your game out there.

It’s not about the money for the people who run the games I love. Melissa, at 7V, has written that it’s about the game, not the profit. I know others, like Mac of Endgame, Rob, Jake of Lost Eidolons, and Scott and Jeff of the calling, feel similarly. Let’s not forget the staff people who have written for this blog. LARPing is about a passion for creativity, expression, and telling a story. We do it together. We build community together. So, let’s work on building an inclusive, cross-LARP community that welcomes people from all systems and rules.

For some awesome forums, please check out Lost Eidolons or Endgame. Post links to others you frequent. Also, check out Bill's blog, LARPOhio.

As always, please share, contribute, and comment.

New Larpcast post

Go Give Bill and Mickey a listen!

http://larpcast.podbean.com/

Enjoy the (hopefully) long weekend! I'm up in Maine, visiting farms and stuff, and will post when I return!

Zephyr's pre-Shadowfane Thoughts: Part Four

A very thankful shout-out to LARP Ohio. Bill and I do not know each other well, and disagree about most things. He has much more experience, stirs stuff up equally, and does good work. I want him in New England. He probably does not want me in Ohio. Go over, play, and leave comments. Bring them over here. I will keep posting this.

Contributor: Rick Pierce

Submission: In-Game writing from Zephyr's character history (character background)
LARP system: Madrigal / Accelerant
Your Location: Connecticut, USA
Character name: Zephyr
Years LARPing: 22
Contact Email: rgpierce@earthlink.net

Read Part One!

Read Part Two!

Read Part Three!

LARPcast, Plans, and Ideas-- Please Comment

Plans? One week in, and we're strong. I have a lot of submissions right now. Mostly from Madrigal people, though Lost Eidolons is helping. There is great private discussion going on in LARP communities. (Not because of me.) I want it to continue.

Tomorrow, we finish up Mira's wonderful non-fiction work on being new. Then more GrumCo from Rowan and Zephyr. Afterwards, me and a LARPcast response.

I will soon be posting on LARPcast, a podcast run by Mickey and Bill. I will probably comment on their most recent one (commercialization), or perhaps the blog dedicated to media. (I am with Bill on merchandise for LARPs. On media, I disagree with almost the entire thing. What do you want to hear? Agree with Bill? Disagree with Bill? Ignore Mickey entirely? I don't know yet.) LARPcast is good, great, and admirable. Go listen, and think.

I want your thoughts. I want your submissions. Non-Madrigal people-- GET INVOLVED.