The alarm clock beeps. 5:30 AM, it reads. Luther turns over, silences the high pitch noise. He spryly arises, ready to face the day’s challenges.
“First things first,” he says as he dons homemade medieval armor. “Thou mayest never know what kind of beast is beyond these walls.”
As Luther tightens his belt, armed with a sword made of plastic, Styrofoam, and duct tape, he is ready to enter a world not known to many. It is the world of Live-Action Role Playing. (LARP)
Luther’s routine is typical of a person enthusiastic about LARP. What people consider LARP varies person from person, but however you define it, it is a part of American subculture.
LARP to many is an escape from reality. The basics of LARP is a group of people physically acting out a role-playing game. It is much like Dungeons and Dragons or World of Warcraft, but instead of playing in a virtual world, the action is brought to real life. First, an imaginary world is created. It must be noted that LARP groups have highly varied approaches to rules, costume, degree of physical acting out, participation, focus of character activity, and genre. LARPs range in size from small private events lasting a few hours to huge public events with thousands of players lasting for several days. For a more detailed explanation of LARP visit http://people.howstuffworks.com/larp.htm.
“First things first,” he says as he dons homemade medieval armor. “Thou mayest never know what kind of beast is beyond these walls.”
As Luther tightens his belt, armed with a sword made of plastic, Styrofoam, and duct tape, he is ready to enter a world not known to many. It is the world of Live-Action Role Playing. (LARP)
Luther’s routine is typical of a person enthusiastic about LARP. What people consider LARP varies person from person, but however you define it, it is a part of American subculture.
LARP to many is an escape from reality. The basics of LARP is a group of people physically acting out a role-playing game. It is much like Dungeons and Dragons or World of Warcraft, but instead of playing in a virtual world, the action is brought to real life. First, an imaginary world is created. It must be noted that LARP groups have highly varied approaches to rules, costume, degree of physical acting out, participation, focus of character activity, and genre. LARPs range in size from small private events lasting a few hours to huge public events with thousands of players lasting for several days. For a more detailed explanation of LARP visit http://people.howstuffworks.com/larp.htm.
The culture of LARP begins with the individual. The dress of a LARP participant begins with a costume of their character they have concocted. The language they use can be an imaginary language they have created. Usually, they are very imaginative person who can immerse themselves in an alternate reality. Also, in some cases, they are a little bit different socially.
LARP, for some reason, attracts socially different people. Some say it’s because they are generally different people and are attracted to something different than the norm. Others say it’s because LARP brings these people together and helps them be who they truly are. Others say that it is escapism. People are unsatisfied with the real world and want to be someone else and be accepted. Whatever the case is, the mentality is "it's my life."
While it is a strange to the current popular culture, it is something we should accept and not confuse our misunderstanding with hate or violence. They are still human. My question is would you participate in something similar to LARP, and what do you think about the people who do LARP?
30 comments:
If I had enough friends who were Larpers, I would consider trying it out.
Of course, I engage in role playing games quite often, so it isn't as far for me to go. Most role-players think of Larpers as people who have gone too far.
Although I did once go into an empty parking lot with some friends and foam swords. We beat the crap out of one another, and it was a lot of fun.
I don't know if I could really bring myself to do LARP. At least if I tried, I would probably suck at it. Although, when we're children aren't we all really Larpers? Hmmm. I do think LARP does create its own social network and helps people(humans) to escape from their real day-to-day lives. I say if that brings them happiness, more power to them. But, there are so many great things in this life I wonder why someone feels the need to escape to the point where they even adapt a certain character's dress, speech, and social behavior. If you've never seen a Larper one needs to look no further than North Park in Provo off 500N and 500W. Also, I'm sure most of you have seen the Quill and the Sword club on campus usually in front of the Wilk. I think the most important thing to do is to accept everyone however crazy we might think they are. At least that's what the Gospel teaches.
I don't think that I could get myself into the LARP mentality every day, but I could probably try it out for a day (sort of like a costume party).
The kids who engage in LARP are just doing something they enjoy. I guess it's better than them sitting in front of a TV screen all day.
As long as the kids realize they are role playing, then I don't see what's wrong with it, everyone role -plays. However, if they actually begin to believe they are the character they are portraying, then this LARP'ing has become a little too serious.
I'd actually never heard of LARPing before and the idea of it makes me laugh. I like that it gets kids to interact-but they are forced to hide behind false identities. Is that really healthy? I definitely couldn't be a Larper myself...the whole thing just freaks me out.
I'm not going to lie, when I see people dressed up as action figures or in medieval costumes and it's not Halloween I usually do a double take and find myself laughing a little bit at them and wondering what in the world they are thinking. To me it is not normal to pretend that you live in a world that doesn't exist.
I don't think I would ever participate in LARP. To me I live in the real world and it doesn't make sense to pretend that that world doesn't exist or to create a world that isn't the one that I really am in.
I think that these people who create a false world are definitely trying to escape. I think they are unhappy with their lives or their situations and have created a facade that allows them the leisure of not having to deal with their issues.
I probably wouldn't participate in LARP...I never even liked those role-playing situations in school when your teacher would make students come to the front of the class and pretend to be someone/something. But I suppose I can see the appeal for those who do participate. Think of how much we love dressing up for Halloween. It gives us the chance to be a different "character" for a day. As for what I think about the people that do LARP...As an artist, I definitely have a lot of respect for their creativity and use of imagination. If it makes them happy, then they should do it...but I do think it can be taken to an extreme, and like all things, it's all about balance.
I don't think I'd ever do anything like Larping. I got a good sense of what it is from watching the movie Role Models. Paul Rudd befriends McLovin, who is a larper. I was a little disappointed in the movie, cause it was definitely not as funny as Superbad. As far as larpers go, I don't really care what they do. I don't think that I will ever join them, and I think that they're a little weird, but they probably think I'm weird for the things that I am doing.
I could care less about being a LARP. They're weird.
I have never heard of this until now, although I have seen people who practice this lifestyle. A few years ago when I was visiting New York City, a hotel down the street from mine was having some sort of convention for Larpers. It was very odd that they were all dressed up and acting out all these different characters. I am not gonna lie, I was a little terrified. I don't think I could ever participate in something like this, but that is great for those who do!
I think Larpers sound like those weird people who stand outside the wilk in the fall under a tent dressed up in midevil clothing carrying axes. Umm I don't think I could do that. I honestly care too much about my personal reputation to do something like that.
LARP people seem funny to me. I think the whole thing sounds like something that would be fun to try for a weekend, assuming I had enough fun-spirited friends. I could never do it for very long, because it is a little ridiculous, but whatever . . .
I would never do it. Although it seems amusing, I just would be too self-aware. I've played role-playing video games before and love them, but in those it's a temporary virtual escape where you don't have to change yourself. There's story, things to do, and you can access it quickly. Larping takes it to an extreme.
It doesn't seem that healthy, socially. But at least they have each other and are coming together. Without other larpers, they might just be alone and maybe have more troubling social problems
I honestly think I would participate in something like LARP. It would take me away from the realities of this world for a second. Maybe once a month, a group of us would get together and do something. I think it's a great idea. I don't know which one I'd like to belong: definitely not a medieval one but I'm sure I'd love to.
Personally, I probably wouln't ever LARP. There is a part of me that admires those who do for their lack of shame, and passion for something. Could you imagine if we was as passionate about something as they are about their LARP, the kind of things that we could accomplish. To them, it becomes an all encompassing part of their life that no matter what they will pursue. How many times have we not done something because of shame, fear of what society will think, what friends will think, fear of judgment. To them, that is probably a part of their everyday lives.
I think after watching Lord of the Rings, everyone thought for at least a few minutes how cool it would be to be an elf or to fight the orcs, but then of course you realize that such a life is not possible and you get back to life. These people sound like those that loved that kind of movie and then went a little too far.
Once I was at a park on a date and there was this big group of people who were dressed up and doing the fake fighting. We joined them for about an hour and fought some people and had fun. I would never do this every weekend and make it my life, but it can be fun to escape for a little bit.
LARPing is my life. OK, not really. but i wish it was. I think it's dope for people to do what they want. It's funny how obsessed we all are with what people think, and I say good on these crazy cool people for doing something original.
I would never LARP. I'd never even heard of it until an episode of CSI: NY a few weeks ago. I don't play video or computer games (except rock band and wii games) so it would never interest me. I don't care if other people do it, though. If it makes them happy, who cares?
To be totally honest, I don't think I could ever participate in a "LARP" event. I just don't think that I'd be that comfortable. However I have no problem with those who do it. I have to agree with the idea that was mentioned that it is a form of escapism. These people have these wild imaginations and they get to leave reality in a way. I just prefer to go to movies as my way of escapsim.
I think the only way I would LARP is if it was like a recreation of the Oregon Trail game and we'd get to ford rivers and go hunting.
I had heard of this before and while I couldn't imagine myself doing anything like it I understand those who do wanting to carry out their fantasies and escape.
of course I would participate in LARP! WHO wouldn't!! But if you wanted me to do it seriously, there is no way I could possibly pull it off with a straight face the entire time. I would want to bring a video camera and record my discussions with the pretend nights and damsels! Ok, honestly, I think it is the weirdest thing in the world, and that kind of recreation should be saved for young children who should be pretending on the playground.
i would only if it involved majestic stallions, wild sea creatures, a wheel barrow, 5 ft. hedgerows, ceiling wax, and Richard Gere.
My first experience with these people was when some of my friends showed me a movie they made, making fun of LARPS. They all dressed up and ran around having some sort of a battle. I thought it was the wierdest thing I had ever seen and could not believe that real people actually did somthing like that. But, yes, I guess it is true. I honestly can't imagine myself doing somthing like that for fun, unless, I was hanging out with a five year old.
I have seen LARPing many times but I never actually knew what is was or that is had a name. I thought is was just a bunch of Dungeons and Dragons playing people swords. Although I would never be a LARPer, I don't think there is any reason why people who do engage in this activity should be stopped. They aren't hurting anyone and although this is not exactly a socially acceptable thing to do, there are much worse things that could be happening.
I think LARP is awesome and people that do it are hilarious. Everyone has their oddities, some people's are just more visible and require role-playing.
Even though I probably don't have the time or commitment to participate in something like LARP, I see absolutely nothing wrong with it. In my free time I like to read and go to concerts. Who am I to say that someone else is weird because they like to dress up and participate in fake battles in their free time?
I wouldn't because I think thats medieval. But I respect those who do. You never know when you need to fight yourself out of with a sword or joust to live another day. But I respect them.
I think it sounds fun if you're doing it to laugh at yourself and others. Take it seriously...? Definitely not.
I have to say, I've never met a LARPer. I saw some on a reality show once; I didn't know whether to laugh at them or pray for their souls.
-Michael Williams
these people are so fascinating. i loved learning more about them
I think Larpers are people who take Halloween to a higher level. So, many of us enjoy having a different persona once in a while. But these people want to have a different life from who they really are. That could get really weird once they get lost of what is reality and what is fantasy
i think this is a classic example of what the digital age has created. in building up communication we have also torn down the social skills necessary to interact with others in the "real" world.
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