Informative Argument Essay: LARPers
Engl 102
7 Dec 2005
A Game to Further Society
There is a subculture, a cult if you will, that revolves around games. Not computer games, not sports games, but role playing games (RPGs). The general public commonly lumps all these games under the title ‘dungeons and dragons’, though there are many variations and types of RPGs. For a simple definition, RPGs consist of a table or living room full of geeks, acting out some science-fiction or fantasy story. They assume or act out the role of a hero, thief, magician or some other empowering character. The RPG will almost always includes the use of dice to work out the ‘chance’ aspects of the storyline, and an RPG will always include gallons of caffeinated soda, snack food measured in pounds and fast food runs. The games can be as short as one to two hours, or be an all weekend marathon. Now this RPGing is all quite harmless: These geeks are relatively assimilated into society, and can function among the rest of us. Look around and one will see them staffing electronics retailers, maintaining computer networks and working bookstore counters. From time to time they actually mate outside their culture and introduce fresh blood into their gene pool. Unfortunately RPGing is not the subject at hand. From RPG’s sprung forth a bastard child, a black sheep of a game subculture called Live Action Role Playing. (LARP). According to wisegeek.com, a LARP is
….a type of interactive gaming in which the players assume game identities and act as a specific character for the duration of the game. The game may conform to a scenario written by the moderator or Game Master. Alternatively the LARP may be based on individual decisions made by the participants. (wisegeek)
The difference between RPGing and LARPing is the way in which the players act out their character. RPGing is generally third person, keeping the player’s identity intact and active socially throughout the game. LARPing is a stand-up, walk
7 Dec 2005
A Game to Further Society
There is a subculture, a cult if you will, that revolves around games. Not computer games, not sports games, but role playing games (RPGs). The general public commonly lumps all these games under the title ‘dungeons and dragons’, though there are many variations and types of RPGs. For a simple definition, RPGs consist of a table or living room full of geeks, acting out some science-fiction or fantasy story. They assume or act out the role of a hero, thief, magician or some other empowering character. The RPG will almost always includes the use of dice to work out the ‘chance’ aspects of the storyline, and an RPG will always include gallons of caffeinated soda, snack food measured in pounds and fast food runs. The games can be as short as one to two hours, or be an all weekend marathon. Now this RPGing is all quite harmless: These geeks are relatively assimilated into society, and can function among the rest of us. Look around and one will see them staffing electronics retailers, maintaining computer networks and working bookstore counters. From time to time they actually mate outside their culture and introduce fresh blood into their gene pool. Unfortunately RPGing is not the subject at hand. From RPG’s sprung forth a bastard child, a black sheep of a game subculture called Live Action Role Playing. (LARP). According to wisegeek.com, a LARP is
….a type of interactive gaming in which the players assume game identities and act as a specific character for the duration of the game. The game may conform to a scenario written by the moderator or Game Master. Alternatively the LARP may be based on individual decisions made by the participants. (wisegeek)
The difference between RPGing and LARPing is the way in which the players act out their character. RPGing is generally third person, keeping the player’s identity intact and active socially throughout the game. LARPing is a stand-up, walk
Bibliography: www.mythandculture.com/weblog/2005 http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-larp.htm Andrew, gamer at A Street Games. Personal Interview, 30 Nov 2005 Mark Rein-Hagen, Vampire: The Masquerade v.3. New York: White Wolf, 2004 Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann: The Social Construction of Reality. New York: Doubleday, 1966. Benz, Joseph J, Anderson, Mary K, Miller, Richard L: ATTRIBUTIONS OF DECEPTION IN DATING SITUATIONS. Psychological Record, The, Spring 2005 http://www.ape-city.com/ LeVine, Robert: Child Care and Culture: Lessons from Africa (1994 LeVine, Robert: Human Conditions: The Cultural Basis of Educational Development (1986) Word Count