Live-action roleplaying games

Live-action roleplaying (LRP(UK acronym) or LARP(US acronym) for short) is assuming roles, as in usual RPGs, and then physically playing out what the characters do. Usually this is done in private, but some LARPs have taken place in public places. As many different LARP-systems has been developed as RPGs: The forms and rule?s change dramatically over time and place, as do the genre?s played.

Forms of LARPs

There is a very large number of different styles of LRP/LARP but they can be divided into two general styles depending on the techniques used to resolve combat/conflict. The first major category is live combat games which use specially made safe swords, laser guns and sensors or some similar system to represent combat. The other major category is abstract combat where a game mechanism similar to those used in normal roleplaying games is used to resolve combat. There has been much debate over the correct terms to use for these two types of game and no final solution has been decided upon although the terms live combat and interactive literature are often used for the two styles.

A form popular in the US typically involve a group of people getting individual folders with background on their characters, and cards explaining their abilities and possessions. Players then play that character in the situation set out for them by the gamemaster(s), who introduces new situations and determines results as necessary. Dice are rarely used.

The games published by [White Wolf]? under the brand name [Minds Eye Theater]? has been influential on the LARP-hobby in the last five years or so. Theese games make use of many props, such as character forms and cards representing the supernaturual powers of the creatures most participants play.

The form practiced in Sweden is usually without a gamemaster, and based on an [honor system]? when it comes to rules. Dice are never used, and settings tend to be immersive, with as few anachronism?s and out of play elements (off-elements) as possible. The setting and roles are given to the participants by the organizers (often after a dialogue with the player). When the game starts it lives its own life, wholly directed by the players (some predetermined events are often scheduled). A typical game lasts three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and has an average of about 200 participants. Rules are designed for combat injury simulation and normally emphathize roleplaying of damage rather than abstract hitpoints (though this was not always so), featuring either padded weapons or live steel. Each gaming organization uses custom rules, but similarities make this less cumbersome than it would at first seem.

In the [United Kingdoms]? LARPs generally take 3 forms: [Event LARP]?s where people gather on mass to play their characters, [Adventure LARP]?s where continuing characters form a party and have an adventure and [Freeform LARP]?s where players are handed dossiers about pre-written characters.

History

The history of LARPs is shrouded in mystery. However it is possible to list well-documented early examples within the cultures they arose, therefore allowing people to understand the origins of this form of role-playing.

It seems likely, however, that the first LARP was played out in conjunction with the first published RPG (Dungeons & Dragons) in the 1970s, although some extreme free form theater groups may have preceeded that. One of the early organized groups was the [Society for Interactive Literature]?.

In 1982 [Treasure Trap]? was established at [Peckforton Castle]? in the United Kingdoms and this was probably the first combat based [Adventure LARP]?. It set the ground work for future LARPs of this genre and was undeniably very influencial. It closed after 4 years when the treasurer allegedly ran off with the money.