LARP Survey --Please do this!!!

E

Ellie al'Basteua

Specialist
Do you LARP? Wanna talk about it?

I?m conducting a short survey to gain information for report that I am writing for my Cyborg Anthropology class. The report will be titled ?Beat the Meat: How Cyberpunks and Gamers Escape the Soma? and it will focus primarily upon human triumph over the constraints of the physical body.

If you would like to participate, you can either post your answers to here or PM them to me. You don?t have to answer all of the questions, just the ones that apply the most to you. Please post your answers by the end of next week! (The draft of the paper is due Thursday, Feb. 24th)

All of your answers are your intellectual property, and will be referenced as such within the report.

Thanks so much!!! Here is it:


LARP SURVEY

Name:
Age:
Occupation:
How many years have you been involved with Live Action Role Play:
Number of LARPs currently involved with:
Total Number of LARPs *ever* involved with:

QUESTIONS
1) What is the top reason that you would play a LARP instead of doing online-RP or a tabletop-RP game?

2) Have you ever been motivated to acquire any out-of-game skills (such as lock-picking, sword-fighting, endurance running, ect...) for the purpose of using them in a LARP? If so, describe and explain them.

3) Have your ever made any permanent or semi-permanent physical alterations (tattoos, body-piercing, long-term hair-alterations, etc...) because of the game? Describe & explain.

4) Do you consider the personality and mannerisms of your character to be different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character different from yourself?

5) Does your character have a physical appearance that is different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character that way?

6) Do you think that it is better for players to dress and act as themselves during LARPs, or do you feel that is it better to create completely different appearances and personalities for the game? Why do you feel that way?

7) Does the physical appearance of the location of the LARP affect the game? How so?

8) Brainstorm: What technological advancements could improve Live Action RP? How would you feel if those advancements were already part of the game?

9) Let?s imagine that it is the year 2054, and it is possible to get the exact same experience as playing a LARP without leaving your home, thanks to LAN-networking & advanced Virtual Reality. Would you prefer VRRPing over LARPing? Why or why not?

10) (optional) If you would like, please send me a picture of one or more of your LARP characters. My email address is lost.capella@gmail.com The picture might be used in my report and possibly in a slide-show presentation at an Anthropology conference.

END OF SURVEY

Thank you for your time! Your answers will greatly help me with my research!

~Hayley

P.S. Do you know anyone that is a table-top gamer or an online-RPer? Would they be interested in taking a similar survey? Please contact me via PM ASAP!! Thanks!!
 
One last question!!!

11) Do you have any other feeling about the contrast of LARP to actual reality that you would like to share?
 
L.E. said:
7) Does the physical appearance of the location of the LARP affect the game? How so?

7) Brainstorm: What technological advancements could improve Live Action RP? How would you feel if those advancements were already part of the game?
Click to expand...


You might want to renumber your survey. I am working on your survey and will have it to you as soon as I am done.

Kevin R.
 
Name: John Eduard Pariury II
Age: 30
Occupation: Tax software consultant
How many years have you been involved with Live Action Role Play: 16 years
Number of LARPs currently involved with: 2
Total Number of LARPs *ever* involved with: 14

QUESTIONS
1) What is the top reason that you would play a LARP instead of doing online-RP or a tabletop-RP game?

-- Over time, I've become disenchanted with the technical aspects of tabletop gaming. It has seemed like games are turned far to easily into arguements about numbers, charts, and bonuses, rather than the environmental storytelling. As well, I enjoy the physical push of LARPing because it promotes individual achievement over statistical superiority.

2) Have you ever been motivated to acquire any out-of-game skills (such as lock-picking, sword-fighting, endurance running, ect...) for the purpose of using them in a LARP? If so, describe and explain them.

-- I've learned to pick locks. I took up fencing originally as an extension of my larp activities, but I'm not sure if that quite counts since it was learned for its own merits rather than with a predetermined drive to expand on my LARP skills.

3) Have your ever made any permanent or semi-permanent physical alterations (tattoos, body-piercing, long-term hair-alterations, etc...) because of the game? Describe & explain.

-- Exercise and weight-loss are somewhat driven by my LARPing activities. The more fit I am, the more I can participate in the activity.

4) Do you consider the personality and mannerisms of your character to be different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character different from yourself?

-- Since I play a great number of characters, I can't answer this one in a single sentence or such. At its root, the characters I play all have an intrinsic characteristic that is uniquely me. That characteristic differs from character to character, and creates a different tapestry for each character I portray, but ultimately, the result is a character based on "What would *I* be like, if this series of conditions were placed upon me, and if I allowed this portion of my personality to hold greater or lesser sway in my decision making?" You can have a fully fleshed-out character history, background, and personality write-up, and give it to two different players, and the characters they play will be unique unto them, because all the writing and history is still being filtered through the experience and history of the person playing the character. The *player* will key into different parts of the personality and history moreso than other players might, and as such, ultimately the character is an expressed portion of the player's personality.

As for why I might choose to enhance one portion of my personality over another, the simple answer would be to create a new experience for myself, the player.

5) Does your character have a physical appearance that is different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character that way?

-- Some characters yes, other characters no. When I choose to create physical *appearance* differences, they are generally based on makeup and prosthetic requirements.

6) Do you think that it is better for players to dress and act as themselves during LARPs, or do you feel that is it better to create completely different appearances and personalities for the game? Why do you feel that way?

-- I don't know that it matters. Whatever it takes for the player to be able to differentiate, within their own mind, between the player and the character, is good. If a player can do so without any makeup, more power to them. If they need more, then go for it.

7) Does the physical appearance of the location of the LARP affect the game? How so?

-- Sure. The more you have to pretend that the tree is not a tree, the less energy you can spend focusing internally on pretending to be someone you're not.

7) Brainstorm: What technological advancements could improve Live Action RP? How would you feel if those advancements were already part of the game?

-- Any form of automated method of tracking effects and detriments. The less you have to keep track of, the more you can play pretend.

8) Let?s imagine that it is the year 2054, and it is possible to get the exact same experience as playing a LARP without leaving your home, thanks to LAN-networking & advanced Virtual Reality. Would you prefer VRRPing over LARPing? Why or why not?

-- You would need to better define "the exact same experience". When the weekend is over, will I get up the next morning with muscle aches from a weekend of exertion? Can it improve my health in the same manner? If it could provide all that as well, which, to me, is as much a part of the experience as the pomp and circumstance, then the driving factor would be money and convenience.

9) (optional) If you would like, please send me a picture of one or more of your LARP characters. My email address is lost.capella@gmail.com The picture might be used in my report and possibly in a slide-show presentation at an Anthropology conference.

-- Don't know what online ones I have. I'll try when I get home tonight.

10) Do you have any other feeling about the contrast of LARP to actual reality that you would like to share?

-- Players should not use fantasy, in any form, as a means of substituting for some internal experience that they feel they are lacking. They should not be playing the good guy in order to feel the rewards of doing the right thing if they feel that it is missing from their general life experience. Likewise, they should not play tough guys in order to feel like they can strike back at a world of personal injustices. When that occurs, the emotional investment in the success and failure of the character can become detrimental to their overall life experience.
 
LARP SURVEY

Name:Philip
Age:34
Occupation: Phone support at cingular
How many years have you been involved with Live Action Role Play: Hard to say, if you count SCA and the original FRPA (or whatever the code was) then about 18 years
Number of LARPs currently involved with: 1
Total Number of LARPs *ever* involved with:Including one shots 20+

QUESTIONS
1) What is the top reason that you would play a LARP instead of doing online-RP or a tabletop-RP game?: Actally for me, its table top/Larp/online RP in that order. I like Larps and the people in them, but I cut my eye teeth on table top. I do prefer larps to computer tho as I like the face to face and touch of reality you cant get on the computer.

2) Have you ever been motivated to acquire any out-of-game skills (such as lock-picking, sword-fighting, endurance running, ect...) for the purpose of using them in a LARP? If so, describe and explain them: Not just for using them in a larp, but I have enjoyed bringing odd real world skills I have into Larps I play.

3) Have your ever made any permanent or semi-permanent physical alterations (tattoos, body-piercing, long-term hair-alterations, etc...) because of the game? Describe & explain.: Hum, I do allow my beard to grow more wild for Kauss (I plan my trims after events) does that count?

4) Do you consider the personality and mannerisms of your character to be different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character different from yourself?: Depends on the charicter. Also after I have played a charicter, I can assume the mannerisms so its hard to pin down. When I do make my charicter widely diffrrent from myself, its becouse a) I want to see if I can and B) Its often a little vacation from me.

5) Does your character have a physical appearance that is different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character that way?: Tabletop, often. Larp: not so often becouse it can confuse people.

6) Do you think that it is better for players to dress and act as themselves during LARPs, or do you feel that is it better to create completely different appearances and personalities for the game? Why do you feel that way? I prefer them to be diffrent. I mean if you wanted to adventure as yourself, you could just do so. There is a wide world of new things to do out there.

7) Does the physical appearance of the location of the LARP affect the game? How so? It can. I needs to be close enuf that it does not distract from the game. Immagination is still needed but the appearance helps set the mood for many people.

8) Brainstorm: What technological advancements could improve Live Action RP? How would you feel if those advancements were already part of the game? This list is to long to go into here. If I had the money, I know a number of things that might help the feel and comunication. However the game itself doesnt really need it.

9) Let?s imagine that it is the year 2054, and it is possible to get the exact same experience as playing a LARP without leaving your home, thanks to LAN-networking & advanced Virtual Reality. Would you prefer VRRPing over LARPing? Why or why not? Hard to say, I would have to feel it out to be honest. I might like VR better, I might not.

10) (optional) If you would like, please send me a picture of one or more of your LARP characters. My email address is lost.capella@gmail.com The picture might be used in my report and possibly in a slide-show presentation at an Anthropology conference: I think the only charicter I still have online is Kauss, and you have pics of him so feel free.

END OF SURVEY
 
jpariury said:
8) Let?s imagine that it is the year 2054, and it is possible to get the exact same experience as playing a LARP without leaving your home, thanks to LAN-networking & advanced Virtual Reality. Would you prefer VRRPing over LARPing? Why or why not?

-- You would need to better define "the exact same experience".
Click to expand...

By "the exact same experience" I mean that all of your senses would register the exact same things that they would if you were at a LARP. However, you would have the option of turning off the cold, and amount of exersize done during this would also be optional. Also, (just for kicks) it would cost less than any LARP that you currently play.
 
LARP SURVEY

Name: Tom Withers
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
How many years have you been involved with Live Action Role Play: 2
Number of LARPs currently involved with: 1
Total Number of LARPs *ever* involved with: 2

QUESTIONS
1) What is the top reason that you would play a LARP instead of doing online-RP or a tabletop-RP game?

Plain and simple, exercise. The costuming is an addid bonus.

2) Have you ever been motivated to acquire any out-of-game skills (such as lock-picking, sword-fighting, endurance running, ect...) for the purpose of using them in a LARP? If so, describe and explain them.

I took up Kendo because of the Boffing Club. Not exactly a LARP, but close enough.

3) Have your ever made any permanent or semi-permanent physical alterations (tattoos, body-piercing, long-term hair-alterations, etc...) because of the game? Describe & explain.

I shaved my beard off once or twice. Does that count?

4) Do you consider the personality and mannerisms of your character to be different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character different from yourself?

In any RPG, my characters usually reflect certain aspects of myself, oftentimes the more hidden aspects that never get a chance to emerge in regular life, but I know are there. Bottom line is this: change my past, put me in different circumstances, and I can see myself acting that way.

5) Does your character have a physical appearance that is different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character that way?

I don't really have any one character, since I have only NPCed so far. Looks usually reflect the monster card.

6) Do you think that it is better for players to dress and act as themselves during LARPs, or do you feel that is it better to create completely different appearances and personalities for the game? Why do you feel that way?

I've seen a couple times when a player wants to have a character that is in stark contrast to himself, just to be somebody different. It's hard to be someone you just aren't, and do it convincingly. The character is usually too exagerated and annoying. An unnatural personality is what ensues, kind of like Jar-Jar Binks.
I have done this for NPCs of mine, but you won't see any of them for longer than an event, so there's little chance I will wear it into the ground. I was a pimp once, for instance.

7) Does the physical appearance of the location of the LARP affect the game? How so?

Seriously, if you can immagine that a kin in a painted hockey mask is a goblin, a diamond golem, or anything in between, you're good to go, nomatter where you are. A campground is nice because it is in the middle of nowhere, and is free of distractions, not because it looks anything like the in-game settings.

8) Brainstorm: What technological advancements could improve Live Action RP? How would you feel if those advancements were already part of the game?

Personally, I go camping to get away from technology. It's the people there and the immagination that define the experience. If anything, costuming could be improved, especially for monster camp. Not exactly high priority, though.

9) Let?s imagine that it is the year 2054, and it is possible to get the exact same experience as playing a LARP without leaving your home, thanks to LAN-networking & advanced Virtual Reality. Would you prefer VRRPing over LARPing? Why or why not?

As with the first question, exercise is a huge factor. As sexy as the computer geek stereotype is: overweight, pasty-white skin, can't bench 100lbs, I start to feel like excrement if I don't get outside for too long. And it's not just the game itself that tempts me to join you guys. Sometimes the out of game moments can be just as memorable.

10) (optional) If you would like, please send me a picture of one or more of your LARP characters. My email address is lost.capella@gmail.com The picture might be used in my report and possibly in a slide-show presentation at an Anthropology conference.

Well, there were the pictures you yourself took of two of my NPCs, a troll warrior and a dwarf mercenary. You know, the ones you didn't post? Then there is my pimp, Master Telanis, or something. That one I believe you did post.

And do I have any correlations between real life and these fantasies? I think the function of such games is to provide a break in our usual lives; they keep the stress of basic living from wearing us into the ground. To compare the world depicted within the game to the one that greets you when the alarm clock screams at you, fantasy is a huge simplification of life. Problems such as paying bills, bad relationships, schoolwork and such, are just kind of bypassed. These boring problems are replaced by more interesting ones. Like vampires.
Finally, there is always the warm notion in the back of your mind that the fantasy world was designed so that you can win if you do the right thing, and even if you don't, it doesn't matter.

END OF SURVEY
 
It's wierd how much you can learn about yourself just by rereading something you wrote only a couple minutes ago. Just now I found something about myself. My spelling sucks! Although it looks like I'm not the only one. Makes me feel a little better, like I fit in somehow.
 
LARP SURVEY

Name: Kevin Riley
Age: 39
Occupation: Retail Cahsier
How many years have you been involved with Live Action Role Play: 4
Number of LARPs currently involved with: 1
Total Number of LARPs *ever* involved with: 1

QUESTIONS
1) What is the top reason that you would play a LARP instead of doing online-RP or a tabletop-RP game?
I have played both on-line RPGs and LARP. I find that I like LARP better do to the physical interaction and action with those I am playing with.

2) Have you ever been motivated to acquire any out-of-game skills (such as lock-picking, sword-fighting, endurance running, ect...) for the purpose of using them in a LARP? If so, describe and explain them.
I have tried to learn how to pick locks but with no success. I have though on many occassions that thought of learning how to fence. I think it would be fun and a way for me to get better at fighting with a sword. I am currently trying to find a place near to me that teaches blacksmithing. Each one of these skills would be benificial in the world of LARP.

3) Have your ever made any permanent or semi-permanent physical alterations (tattoos, body-piercing, long-term hair-alterations, etc...) because of the game? Describe & explain.
For a Elf character I play, I have to put prosthetic ears on. I also have grown a beard for a Dwarf character, but I had it before I made that character, so i don't know if that counts.

4) Do you consider the personality and mannerisms of your character to be different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character different from yourself?
Yes I do. In my opinion, if you didn't have a personality and mannerism different from your own, you wouldn't be Role Playing. I feel that I am sometimes to nice and kind, but playing a character, lets me get out those emotions that don't fit me in the real world.

5) Does your character have a physical appearance that is different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character that way?
There are no physical appearances that I have made to any of my characters that I chose to make.

6) Do you think that it is better for players to dress and act as themselves during LARPs, or do you feel that is it better to create completely different appearances and personalities for the game? Why do you feel that way?
I feel that dressing in a costume will bring the LARP to life. I fell that way because it hard to imagine someone as a Ogre or Scavanger if they aren't dressing the part. I also feel that it gives the LARP a life when people dress as the characters would dress in that time period.

7) Does the physical appearance of the location of the LARP affect the game? How so?
The physical appearance of the location of the LARP does affect the game. It is hard to run through a forest when you standing in a dessert or meadow without any trees in sight. It give a reality to a LARP when you have a physical appearance to the surroundings that you are playing in.

8) Brainstorm: What technological advancements could improve Live Action RP? How would you feel if those advancements were already part of the game?
I don't see any technological advancements that could improve on the LARP I am playing. If there were any, I don't know if they would make the game any better.

9) Let?s imagine that it is the year 2054, and it is possible to get the exact same experience as playing a LARP without leaving your home, thanks to LAN-networking & advanced Virtual Reality. Would you prefer VRRPing over LARPing? Why or why not?
No, I would not prefer VVRPing over LARPing. Playing a LARP without leaving your home isn't LARPing to me.

10) (optional) If you would like, please send me a picture of one or more of your LARP characters.
A picture of Harlock is on the Seattle Photo page and I don't mind if you use it. I have a picture of my first character, but I don't know if I can get it to you in time.

11) Do you have any other feeling about the contrast of LARP to actual reality that you would like to share?
I enjoy being able to step out of myself and become another person, who is nothing like me, for about 3 to 4 days. I give me time to forget my worries and thoughts and live as someone else.
 
LARP SURVEY

Name:Molly Sullivan
Age: 20
Occupation: Full-time Student and Sometimes Artist/Costumer
How many years have you been involved with Live Action Role Play:Roughly seven years
Number of LARPs currently involved with: Two
Total Number of LARPs *ever* involved with: Five

QUESTIONS
1) What is the top reason that you would play a LARP instead of doing online-RP or a tabletop-RP game?

LARP promotes a totally immersive experience in the internal and external realities of the character I'm playing. Online and tabletop games, while not subject to the same physical constraints of reality as LARPS, lack the bodily "thereness" and the added challenge of working in real time, tend to feel like a glorified statistics course with all the number-crunching, and are only enjoyable with an excellent group of other players and/or storytellers, which particularly with online RP is not something that can be taken for granted.

2) Have you ever been motivated to acquire any out-of-game skills (such as lock-picking, sword-fighting, endurance running, ect...) for the purpose of using them in a LARP? If so, describe and explain them.

My NERO character has motivated me to get into better shape particularly in terms of cardiovascular endurance, and to learn some rudiments of forest-craft such as travelling silently and tracking theory. A character from another LARP motivated me to take up hand-spinning and weaving as a hobby. I first took up sewing to make LARP costumes, and occasionally take handsewing projects in-game.

3) Have your ever made any permanent or semi-permanent physical alterations (tattoos, body-piercing, long-term hair-alterations, etc...) because of the game? Describe & explain.

I've begun to physically represent Faolan's tattoos using mehndi (a mixture of ground henna and other substances). That sticks around for four to six weeks per application, so I guess you could call it semi-permanent.

4) Do you consider the personality and mannerisms of your character to be different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character different from yourself?

Faolan is similar to and different than me. Her creation was an organic process over a couple of months (it actually feels more like she created herself) and what I ended up with is what basically amounts to my own Jungian shadow, with speech patterns, mannerisms, and habits that have developed independantly over the years. I don't find alot of attraction in creating characters that are carbon copies of my mundane personality- I live in that mindset almost all the time anyhow.

5) Does your character have a physical appearance that is different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character that way?

Faolan's appearance is basically, in terms of vital stats identical to mine, though the picture that I have of her in my head is slightly different- her eyes are a little grayer than mine, her facial features are a bit more angular, and her body is slightly more androgynous or less curvy. There's really no good rational explanation for any of those differences- that's just who she is. I can affect some of those changes with make-up, prosthetics and costuming, and what I can't, I don't expect to work for anyone but me.

6) Do you think that it is better for players to dress and act as themselves during LARPs, or do you feel that is it better to create completely different appearances and personalities for the game? Why do you feel that way?

When players create (not just imagine and tell, but physically represent)different personas, it creates a liminal space- a place that is other than mundane reality, which in turn makes it easier for me to immerse myself in my own character. I often find myself perturbed at people who play poorly costumed caricatures of themselves, and who basically treat LARP as just another excuse to socialize, because it ignores the needs that I and many other people bring to the game. There are also some emotional and psychological consequences of one's self in a LARP that can be damaging not only to the player in question, but others around him or her.


7) Does the physical appearance of the location of the LARP affect the game? How so?

The location of the LARP can make a huge difference in the overall mood of the game and how well it promutes the ability to stay in character. A few props and the right kind of lighting can make a world of difference in the players' visceral reaction to a location. Also, considerations such as weather conditions and how many non-LARPers will be present in the game area will affect the continuity of players' "in-game" experience.

8) Brainstorm: What technological advancements could improve Live Action RP? How would you feel if those advancements were already part of the game?

I've always had a pipe-dream of having character statistics and NPC-cards on a universal database with individual stats accessible by rewriteable barcodes or chips that could be worn in an inobtrusive place on one's person, produced and scanned as needed. Firstly because I play a very rough-and-tumble, physically active character and paper character cards get lost or shredded in no time flat. Secondly because despite the best efforts of many people, NERO logistics, particularly when you play in several different chapters, can be unreliable at best. Thirdly because it would, at least in theory, be a little more difficult to counterfeit.

9) Let?s imagine that it is the year 2054, and it is possible to get the exact same experience as playing a LARP without leaving your home, thanks to LAN-networking & advanced Virtual Reality. Would you prefer VRRPing over LARPing? Why or why not?

Depends on what you mean by "exact same". Can VRLARP give me the sore quadriceps from a weekend of running my butt off with NPCs on my tail, the real smell of dirt, trees, and water, post-battle backrubs from good companions, or spontaneous quirky verbal repartee? How about the feeling that I've actually, even though it may be in an imaginary setting and as an imaginary character, accomplished something, rather than just throwing time down a hole? Would VRLARP actually involve roleplaying at all, as opposed to degenerating into the same roleplay-in-name-only status as any given MMORPG? If not, I want no part of it.
 
LARP SURVEY

Name: Davydd Contarino
Age: 20 long mortal years
Occupation: Professional Hobo, LARP owner, Boffer Master Weaponsmith
How many years have you been involved with Live Action Role Play: 6ish
Number of LARPs currently involved with: 3
Total Number of LARPs *ever* involved with: 5

QUESTIONS
1) What is the top reason that you would play a LARP instead of doing online-RP or a tabletop-RP game?

Exerc-waaaiit... LARPs are vastly superior RPGs in every way. Sitting around with paper and dice just doesnt do it for me because of the lack of immersion due to the incompleteness of it (and i just dont care for chance based everything anyway). Being there, in costume, with others in costume and armed, and having the wits scared out of you by ambushing monsters puts you in the right mindset to really play the game right. Online is even less personal, and often just stupid silly pointless. It's just a complete experience compared to the parts that tabletopping is.

2) Have you ever been motivated to acquire any out-of-game skills (such as lock-picking, sword-fighting, endurance running, ect...) for the purpose of using them in a LARP? If so, describe and explain them.

Absolutely, I can pick mini master locks (luggage locks), and spar quite well mainly for the sake of the game. Also learning languages, runes, and other things are good and useful, and while i've spent decent out of game time deciphering things and learning codes, I've never learned significant language or culture just for the game.

3) Have your ever made any permanent or semi-permanent physical alterations (tattoos, body-piercing, long-term hair-alterations, etc...) because of the game? Describe & explain.

I try to keep my facial hair and weight as character-appropriate as possible, have considered getting another ear piercing only because I and my character can agree on it, and intend to bulk up for the troll I'm playing. I owuld consider a tattoo if there was any relevant one to have, and i would certainly consider not getting, or hiding tattoos that wouldnt match the characters.

4) Do you consider the personality and mannerisms of your character to be different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character different from yourself?

Not so much, I tend to play aspects of myself. While some things will differ significantly, most of it is at least based on a major personality facet of myself. Most of the differences in my primary NERO character comes from race and experiences that have shaped me (into a twisted individual i might add).

5) Does your character have a physical appearance that is different than your own? If so, why did you choose to make your character that way?

Well I typically dont have horns and my ears are fairly round, not to mention my skin isnt green. I dont find playing a human to be interesting enough in many cases (in NERO, human culture just isnt fascinating enough to me, whereas in a tolkien game like Elfstone I would consider playing some of the human cultures because they spark my interst; just the generic anything human doesnt catch my eye when youve got fantasy things to compete with). I like the weird things. And while some games may allow characters to "just say" that they look different, that is absolutely ridiculous. My characters look like me with the needed things added on because they have to. I wouldnt have it any other way. Costume, props, and makeup for life, yo.

6) Do you think that it is better for players to dress and act as themselves during LARPs, or do you feel that is it better to create completely different appearances and personalities for the game? Why do you feel that way?

Whatever does it for you. Theres really not much of a wrong way to play something, because either you'll study up enough on what you're trying to do, or you'll be playing a guy with similar personality whos faking something else. It will all make psychological sense to an extent usually. I dont think you should try to play something you arent unless you know what you're doing and are sure you want to, but then again there are many aspects of the self we seek to ignore and obviously those can be done away with easier for better enjoyment.

7) Does the physical appearance of the location of the LARP affect the game? How so?

Sure, it differs from person to person on how much it matters, but usually (especially with more hardcore RPers, not so much with Combat Gamers) a nicer look and feel to a site will make everyone feel more comfortable and enjoy the game more. As I said before, I think physical appearances are the most important difference that sets LARPing apart from other RPGing.

8) Brainstorm: What technological advancements could improve Live Action RP? How would you feel if those advancements were already part of the game?

Better cheaper more durable:
tents in some cases, warmth/protective costume/gear, armor,shield and boffer tech, more portable computer systems with printers etc (aso helps staff keep track of things better when they can carry around a light durable laptop instead of set up a computer back at logistics), site/tavern (built specially for gaming), software that humors efficient and uncopyable tag printing and stats etc, availability of acceptable weapon-grade foam and things, and fuel efficiency so I can get to these 10 hour away games=)

9) Let?s imagine that it is the year 2054, and it is possible to get the exact same experience as playing a LARP without leaving your home, thanks to LAN-networking & advanced Virtual Reality. Would you prefer VRRPing over LARPing? Why or why not?

Wow, I wondered if anyone else thought that might be possible. I think that would be more successful popularity (and profit) wise, but aside from the difficulties pioneering it I dont think it would ever be the same effect. It may be realistic, but we know it isnt real, besides I'm already fat I dont need to sit around all the time playing MORE non-exercise games. I'm not sure 50 years would make it pretty enough, cheap enough, or time enough to put it together to rival real LARPing, but I do like the idea (more as an alternative to LARPing and to increase the popularity of the genre of gaming).

10) (optional) If you would like, please send me a picture of one or more of your LARP characters. My email address is lost.capella@gmail.com The picture might be used in my report and possibly in a slide-show presentation at an Anthropology conference.

You want to torture people? oh wait I dont have any pictures of my troll anyway. It's kinda scary, but you need the lack of bathing smell to really get the hideous troll effect, and a picture could never convey that properly.

11) Do you have any other feeling about the contrast of LARP to actual reality that you would like to share?

Oh sheesh... I think that would take too much thinking or something. Maybe another time. LARPing is simply the epitome of fantasy, but its through modification of reality that we accomplish it.

well I dunno, did that make any sense?
 
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