Article: Creating a LARP Group: Quality vs. Quantity
Written By: Bill T
Date: 19 Apr 2010

When you're piecing everything together for your game, you're going to have to make a decision on how often you want to run events. Some games opt to run a high-frequency game, keeping players interested throughout the year. Other games choose to run only a handful of events with extremely high production value in order to assure players that they're getting a high quality service.

Either choice is fine, but there are certain things you should address when deciding on the type of game you want to run.

High-Frequency, Medium-Quality Games
These are the games that decide to run consistently around the year, anywhere from once a week to once every month. The game has a decent story and a few great props, but also has a lot of low production, mindless combat modules. Mind you, there's nothing wrong with that - everyone enjoys some mindless combat now and then.

The big benefit you'll be bringing players is a constantly evolving universe. Your games will have to be player driven, as you won't get a lot of return players if they don't have control over this game. Prices should be put in an area where you're breaking even or making a small profit month-over-month, depending on whether you're running it as a business or an NPO.

Players should be constantly craving more from your game. You want them to continue to perform actions (or at least think about what actions they want to perform) when they're not playing. This game integrates itself into the player's lifestyle, which can be good or bad, depending on whether or not your game is their primary LARP. Players often have to pick and choose between high-frequency LARPs, so you will want to do everything in your power to make your game their game.

Rating:
[Complain about this item]
http://kingdomofstonegate.net



Leave a Comment

View Comments (2)

It really depends on your definition of "low quality." When I think low quality, I assume we're talking a game with next to no costuming, little plot, and almost no prep for the game. At that point, you're essentially playing cops and robbers or cowboys and indians. Those games might be fun, but they're certainly not something people look for in an organized LARP group.

Even games that appear to focus on combat (Dagorhir, Amtgard, etc) have excellent craft work and wear costumes at weekly practices. Games with no direct combat at all (Mind's Eye Theatre) have well thought out political stories and intricate costumes to go with it. I guess I would need your definition of low quality to understand where you're coming from.
Posted by Bill T on 26 April 2010 18:39
This seems more like an opinion piece than an article. Including information on all the subjects you mentioned IE Low quality would make the article more complete. Saying "don't run these they suck" is just a personal opinion and provides me with no facts or information. I've also seen a low quality larp run for over 2 years and everyone involved loved it.
Posted by Nick on 26 April 2010 16:25

Advertise with us
Advertise with us