Live-action game
Encyclopedia
A live-action game is a game
where the participants act out their characters' actions. Live action gaming was created in 1978 in Branford
, Connecticut
, USA, by John Dillon III and Walter Gailey.
". Although these are strictly live-action games, they lack the plot and 'character assumption' that is usually a part of live-action gaming. That is, each player assumes the persona of a character (like a 'handle' in an online environment) and maintains that personae until the character dies.
This variation occurs because of the variation that also exists in table-top and computer games. Some table-top games (like Monopoly) don't require that you undertake to play a persona. But games like Dungeons and Dragons do have this requirement. The same is true of computer games. The player of the single-player version of Half-Life assume the role of a character with a name and personality. The player of Tetris does not.
Live-action gaming is sometimes described to novice players as a hobby lying somewhere between LARP and Historical Reenactment
.. This is accurate in that the game contains the WYSIWYG philosophy and minimialist rules of historical reenactment
, but adds the unpredictable outcome and player-created plot found at some LARP events.
or Orienteering
. Combat is simulated, with one hit causing a wound. There are no 'hit points' or other conventions. Game rules are not used as stand-ins for components of the imaginary environment. If a novice player cannot immediately understand a rules convention, that rules convention is not used. Referees are not used and players are relied upon to be honest in their application of the rules. A special effort is made to convey and adhere to the Spirit of the Game.
environment. Instead of using a laminated card to represent a magical staff, an actual staff is used, as one might build for a play
. Weapons (such as boffer swords or airsoft
guns) are almost always part of the experience. Players stay "in character" at all times (with the exception of medical emergencies). There is no convention for removing oneself from the playing environment.
Game
A game is structured playing, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more often an expression of aesthetic or ideological elements...
where the participants act out their characters' actions. Live action gaming was created in 1978 in Branford
Branford
Branford can refer to:Places*Branford, Connecticut, a town in the United States*Branford, Florida, a town in the United States*Branford College, a residential college at Yale UniversityPeople*Branford Marsalis, jazz musician*Branford, Henrietta, author...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, USA, by John Dillon III and Walter Gailey.
Play overview
Some live-action games are described as a "flag wars", "combat sports" or "battle gamingBattle gaming
Battle gaming is a North American medieval combat sport where participants use mock foam-padded weapons in live action battles. The sport began in 1977.- Description :...
". Although these are strictly live-action games, they lack the plot and 'character assumption' that is usually a part of live-action gaming. That is, each player assumes the persona of a character (like a 'handle' in an online environment) and maintains that personae until the character dies.
This variation occurs because of the variation that also exists in table-top and computer games. Some table-top games (like Monopoly) don't require that you undertake to play a persona. But games like Dungeons and Dragons do have this requirement. The same is true of computer games. The player of the single-player version of Half-Life assume the role of a character with a name and personality. The player of Tetris does not.
Live-action gaming is sometimes described to novice players as a hobby lying somewhere between LARP and Historical Reenactment
Historical reenactment
Historical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt torecreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire...
.. This is accurate in that the game contains the WYSIWYG philosophy and minimialist rules of historical reenactment
Historical reenactment
Historical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt torecreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire...
, but adds the unpredictable outcome and player-created plot found at some LARP events.
Rules
Rules for live-action games are extremely simple compared to other forms of live interactive games like American FootballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
or Orienteering
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
. Combat is simulated, with one hit causing a wound. There are no 'hit points' or other conventions. Game rules are not used as stand-ins for components of the imaginary environment. If a novice player cannot immediately understand a rules convention, that rules convention is not used. Referees are not used and players are relied upon to be honest in their application of the rules. A special effort is made to convey and adhere to the Spirit of the Game.
Environment
The key to live action gaming is an attempt by the game directors to create a WYSIWYGWYSIWYG
WYSIWYG is an acronym for What You See Is What You Get. The term is used in computing to describe a system in which content displayed onscreen during editing appears in a form closely corresponding to its appearance when printed or displayed as a finished product...
environment. Instead of using a laminated card to represent a magical staff, an actual staff is used, as one might build for a play
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
. Weapons (such as boffer swords or airsoft
Airsoft
Airsoft is a sport in which participants shoot round non-metallic pellets launched via replica firearms.Gameplay varies in style and composition but often range from short-term skirmishes, organized scenarios, military simulations, historical reenactments, to competition target shooting events...
guns) are almost always part of the experience. Players stay "in character" at all times (with the exception of medical emergencies). There is no convention for removing oneself from the playing environment.
Production
Live action games are run by a staff that writes a plot that binds together the expected events of the game into a rough storyline, creates obstacles for the players to overcome, and plays the adversaries in the game world.Implementation
A single live action game can span anywhere from 2 hours to 4 days. Active groups can run as many as 18-20 events per year, with a mix of new players and veterans at each event. Most events are run by volunteer organizations for the enjoyment and exercise of the players and staff. Some events are free and use publicly available sites (such as college campuses), while others charge a fee to cover a private site rental (such as an outdoor camp) and equipment (and sometimes food).See also
- Alternate reality gameAlternate reality gameAn alternate reality game is an interactive narrative that uses the real world as a platform, often involving multiple media and game elements, to tell a story that may be affected by participants' ideas or actions....
- Live action role-playing gameLive action role-playing gameA live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
- Assassin (game)Assassin (game)Assassin is a live-action game...
- Historical reenactmentHistorical reenactmentHistorical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt torecreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire...
- Humans vs. ZombiesHumans vs. ZombiesHumans vs. Zombies is a live-action game predominately played at college campuses where players begin as Humans and try to survive in a story where Zombies have begun to rise from the dead. The ultimate goal of the game is for either all Humans to be turned into Zombies, or for the humans to...
- Edhellen Armoury
- Steve Jackson Games
- IIA