The LARP scene in North America can be a little confusing and perhaps even a little daunting. There are so many games out there that most of them go un-noticed unless you know someone who plays or someone who used to play. The LARPs that are played span a wide variety of genres and often a wide range of social or age restrictions.
Are we as elitist as this sounds?
I have come across different discussions over the last week that would hint at the idea that we have evolved as a culture. Whether it’s LARP participants getting frustrated at the endless bad LARP videos on Youtube or the screaming voices of the participants nation wide that cry out for LARPers to take pride in what they are doing.
This description of LARP in the USA was written in 2006 by a LARP participant trying to explain the ways of US LARP to some friends from the UK. If this can be considered an accurate description of what North American LARPing was in 2006 would this be an accurate description of what we are like today?
I know that the LARP companies that I communicate with, both facilitators and suppliers, seem to be of the same mind – they want to experience LARP in a more professional atmosphere. An environment where we take out all the stops and produce something that can’t be considered anything but top notch. And frankly, I commend them.
After all quality gaming is the basic reason why this blog was created.
Does a LARP facilitator have to become more professional in order to provide a better quality LARP? And is this in line with our thoughts as players of yester-year? You be the judge. Write me a little blurb as a comment and I’ll be sure to get back to you.
In so far as what I think… I think I’ll let the industry decide what’s best for it. Certainly the LARP Alliance, Seventh Kingdom IGE and even LARP Solutions Inc. feels that the LARP industry could use a little professional boost now and again.
All the best in your future LARP endeavours,
Kevin Tjia
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