Thinking about stories and games and larp
I'd had a black-and-white, plain text, presentation "What is larp" kicking around unfinished for ages.Then yesterday Elina Gouliou wanted one, so I scrambled for images, and here it is.It won't make much sense without this speaker notes. I try and follow the precepts of Russell Davies - he's written a great book. These are slides... Continue Reading →
Dropped off the van today, there's a couple of bits to drop off but basically, it's all packed down. Me, about 5 months ago. Daemon (UK) ran in May 2023. I produced it. I think Helly Bean of Carcosa Dreams was the first person I heard use the word "Producer" in a larp context, though... Continue Reading →
My last larp of the year was last weekend, and I’m mostly finished packing. I’ve been from Poland to Staffordshire via Norfolk and Silverstone, and I’ve been really, really lucky in what I’ve been able to do. I’ve never done this before, but it’s been such an extraordinary year that here’s a review… In May,... Continue Reading →
I've seen larp organisers bemoan their drop outs before, but never such a lovely piece about that and the implications. Sally is a UK larp organiser, so some of the terminology here is UK-specific, but I suspect the generalities might apply more widely. All these words are hers. Something I've been noticing, to a moderately... Continue Reading →
A few months back, I was asked to be the Head of School at Czocha College of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'm just back, and this a few thoughts before I forget it all...
Dead Air was an Ars Magica larp set in the Alps tribunal, written by the old hands of the "Greater Alps Knitting Circle", and produced by Carcosa Dreams. One of two objectives from my character brief. Written for me by a 6yr old, so I wouldn't forget. Characters were mages of the Order of Hermes... Continue Reading →
Another year, another UK LARP awards, and to my mind there was one totally new standout larp in 2022. I normally blog the larps I've been to, so heaven knows how I didn't manage to write about Second Breakfast. Here I am putting that right. Second Breakfast was brilliant Second Breakfast was a larp about... Continue Reading →
I've played staff once at CoW, and I absolutely loved it. It's precisely my style of play: play to lift, I suspect it's called now. You're helping make other folks’ experience magical, as much as you are making your own, and it's glorious. When I played staff at CoW18, I was inspired by the BBC... Continue Reading →
CoW25 is inspired by the kind of play Seniors have always brought to Czocha. There’s always been an undercurrent of “This is our last year”. (I say “always”, I’ve only been twice. Both times, though, Seniors were bringing their ‘A’ game to themes like “Time to move on”, “Are you the one for me?” and... Continue Reading →
Faust at CoW12: I mean, look at these people. Photo by Defy Gravity Photography I’ve never been a Sophomore at a College of Wizardry, but I’ve felt their game lacked a bit of structure from the organisers. Of course, they go to lessons, just like everyone, might play a bit of Fireball Dragon, and maybe get... Continue Reading →
LARP experience 