Explaining the concept of a LARP to my parents

[luckykaa]

I don't even know where to start.

Comments

[raygungothic.livejournal.com]

Try

"It's like improv acting, where most participants are major characters, and some people volunteer to play lots of minor ones. So that they have something to bounce off, one player describes the scenarios that the major characters encounter, and directs the minor characters to flesh the scenarios out. The 'game' part of the name refers to a few simple rules that are used as guides when characters oppose one another or confront obstacles and unpredictable situations. The main purpose is to enjoy playing a role in a story that constructs itself within the scenario, as a creative and social activity".

Don't mention ze rubber swords!

[the-ladylark.livejournal.com]

"Improv theatre within a structured storyline"?

[omylouse.livejournal.com]

I tend to go with "remember when you're a kid & run around playing make-believe with your friends? It's kinda like that but with more of a storyline & rules..."

But raygungothic's answer sounds more parent-friendly!

[nayela.livejournal.com]

Consider yourself lucky if you don't have to resort to "No, it's NOT a cult!", is all I say...

[the-smut-fairy.livejournal.com]

Start with "sort of like improv. am-dram"?

[ghostpaw.livejournal.com]

Cross-country pantomime or lets-pretend for grownups. ^_^

[invisigoth51.livejournal.com]

I showed mine pictures... they didn't ask much more.

[flannelcat.livejournal.com]

"Re-enactment fayres. I go there to play music." :P

"Like a Murder Mystery Evening" is always a good one.

[tigerpixie.livejournal.com]

I go with "Murder Mystery-style improvisation". Most parents can understand that concept (plus my Mum hated it when I told people that I dressed up twice a month to play a vampire!)

[shebit.livejournal.com]

Bizarrely, I had my parents telling me I'd probably enjoy LARP. They watched the Dara O'Briain thing and said it looked just my cup of tea, at which point I told them I did want to LARP (and I'll be doing Maelstrom in about four weeks now!), and then had to explain tabletop RP to them - they thought LARP sounded much better than just sitting in my own lounge pretending stuff.

[luckykaa.livejournal.com]

Hadn't thought of that. And I think one of my friends still has that on tape.

You're brilliant! Thanks.

[shebit.livejournal.com]

I had to explain it to a chap last week. He was a stage actor, so I thought I'd put it in terms he'd understand by saying it was like improv theatre, except that you stay in character all day/weekend and it's in a field/wood rather than on stage. I could have taken the analogy further by saying that the GMs/refs were like directors and were the only people who actually knew the play's plot.

[ingaborg.livejournal.com]

It's like being kids playing cowboys or spacemen or whatever. But you have more props and rules and people make more effort up front to make it a better game.

That wasn't meant as any sort of criticism btw!