Gaming Cynic: Hey LARPers, Expand Your Genres!

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. My usually jovial self will be taking a mental health day. Instead, I’ll be looking at everything in my life through a half empty glass. I’ll get over it, but my pissy mood wants to burn some bridges first.

My wife came home one day in complete shock over a conversation she had just been sucked into. Not going into who she had the conversation with and why the conversation started to begin with, she voiced her confusion over a type of activity celebrated by a brave few called LARPing (Live Action Role Playing).

For those not in the know, LARPing involves people creating characters and acting out certain scenarios and story lines from fantasy themed universes. What this translates to is World of Warcraft without the encumbrance of a computer or anonymity (go watch the movie Role Models, that’s LARPing). LARPers dress up like their characters and even design sets to reenact epic battles or magical journeys. Still don’t get it?  No worries, that’s probably because you have a life.

Emerging from bedrooms and basements near you

I realize that LARPing is just the next step in playing Dungeons and Dragons. However, a LARPer’s mentality is quite similar to the video game culture surrounding MMORPGs; reality is boring and playing make believe makes living in you parent’s basement a bit easier to stomach.

Don’t think for a moment I’m against fantasy settings, they have their place. The thing is, if a bunch of weirdos are gonna be LARPing around my neighborhood, I want to see a little more than just swords and sorcery. There are plenty of video games that could spawn dorky yet dedicated bands of men and women who wish to fulfill their life long fantasy of being someone that doesn’t suck.

In fact, I’ve found a series of games people could reenact that would prevent societal judgment while still allowing the sensation of being someone else. The costumes are all ready to go at your local mall and don’t require excessive accoutrement. People can still become powerful characters with all kinds of different stats and I guarantee you that your everyday Joe might just give it a shot, and not as a means of mockery. No longer do you have to fear being ridiculed for acting like “Norbag the Terrible” because now you’ll be playing the part of “Peyton the All Time Greatest”. That’s right folks, I’m talking about the magical  world of American football.

The Battle of 100 yards

Football involves battles, alliances and even a bit of magic (especially from the aforementioned superstar). Instead of being a knight, mage or demon you can assume the role of lineman, receiver or quarterback, all with their specific abilities and responsibilities.

The rulebook is much less complicated and never open to interpretation, which prevents unnecessary argumentation. For those newbies that may be hesitant to jump right in, there are ways to build up to higher levels of play. These include flag football and two-hand touch( although the stigma of sticking to those rule adaptations may land you in the same boat as traditional LARPing).

Use it or lose it

The best thing about playing football is the considerable difference in opposite sex reaction you’ll get upon completion of your role playing session. Instead of sneers and rolled eyes, you’ll be greeted with the massaging of muscular cramps and perhaps an invitation into the mysterious cavern commonly referred to as the vagina. Don’t worry ladies, I’m a twenty first century man, I haven’t forgotten you. See, you can play dress up too, taking on the part of cheerleaders whose costumes actually cause boners instead of preventing them.

I don’t want to detract folks from doing what makes them happy. If running around with fairies and dragons makes you smile, then have at it. Just don’t be shocked at the social implications of not keeping such antics to yourself, one of which being I won’t hang out with you. So go out, play some football and reenact the Chicago Bears 1985 run at the championships. Them winning another Superbowl is more fantastical than any floating island or invisible fortress ever could be.

Sources

www.mocha-soul.com
www.topfatlosstraining.com

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