What is a Live Action Role-Playing Game (LARP)?
A LARP is essentially an improvisational play that is generally based on an existing role-playing game. To make it clear to everyone, here are the comparisons:
| Play/Movie | LARP |
| Plot | Storyline |
| Director | Referee |
| Actor | Player |
| Role/Character | Character |
| Script | (doesn't exist) |
How is it played?
The best way to explain it is to assume you are a player.
You receive a character to start the game. It is your job to have fun portraying that character. After you familiarize yourself with the role you will be playing, you commence acting. The object of the game is to portray the character you received to the best of your ability. After a set amount of time, the game ends. Kudos and/or awards go to the people that did the best job acting. (just like Oscars)
Aren't there some things you just can't act out?
Since some situations cannot be acted out (fights, sex, etc.) there are general and specific rules regarding behavior and game mechanics.
The general rules are common sense and designed to prevent personal insult and injury.
The specific rules deal with game mechanics and are usually not the same between the various groups that host LARPs.