Larp game jam

Community Larp discussion
#1

Today I started thinking about what a game jam for pregen larp scenarios might look like. A game jam is where you have a limited time to create a game.

I reckon 2 key factors are that you’d want to run the games immediately after writing them, and that submitted entries would be published on the game jam site immediately (as is usual with game jams). That would be a great way to ensure a bunch of games get published for rerun.

My thought is that you get a week to write the game starting on Monday, deadline is Friday evening, and then on Sat you get together with local larpers to play the games in minimal style, no costumes or set dressing. Someone else runs the game you wrote based solely on the publication, to demonstrate that the publication contains all necessary instructions. You could either observe or play another game running in parallel. Players and GMs provide feedback, and you could do a revision if you like.

Traditionally game jams run over a weekend and involve sleep deprivation. That’s another option, but losing sleep is overrated and you’re already committing a Sat to playing, hence the one week idea.

#2

Sounds like a challenge. I’d be keen but with some notice so I can make sure I have a clear calendar :slight_smile:

I like the one-week idea. I’m not as big a fan of losing sleep as I used to be :neutral_face:

#3

When would be a good time of year?

#4

I’d also be keen, but concur that one week is about the right time. You’d also maybe want teams (of 2 would be best), because having people to bounce ideas off makes things a lot faster.

#5

I’d like the option to work alone, though. That’s how I write best

#6

I figure size of writing team and number of characters written would be up to the entrants, they could list those things against their entry.

So you could do a single-writer game with fewer characters, or have a team of 4 writers and write a 40 or 60 character flagship.

I wasn’t imagining it as a contest by the way. Just the thrill of producing something to a deadline and having your game published and run immediately.

#7

It would a great way to produce work, and I know I would use it to get on paper some ideas I already have for larps.

#8

Great idea !

A limiting factor could be the total number of participants required on the weekend for the premiers, and whether we can organise enough participants on the day.

Perhaps one way of approaching the jam is to write fewer characters, but with more depth and integration. This would increase the chance being able to enjoy the payoff: the larp being played.

#9

I’m really keen for this. It’s a great idea.

#10

I like this idea, though I think it may be difficult to test the games; nomally you need to advertise a mid-sized theatreform a month in advance to get enough players, and it will be very difficult to do it without even a blurb. But the instant publication of the draft is a good idea.

As for timing, don’t people normally have a lot of time in December?

#11

I think it’s a different proposition to most events, more of the challenge of playing random characters in random larps, stripped down to their essence of the writing, the characterisation and the rules. No need for any player prep, just turn up and play.

Seems like an okay time, although Xmas can be a factor?

#12

I couldn’t disagree with this more. December is always bananas because of impending holidays and the weather is finally nice so we can all go outside for once. A larp jam struck me as more of a winter sport. Or, at the very least, autumn. I’m happy to slave away behind my keyboard 75% of the year, summer I like to go outside :wink: (but that’s me and I’m one person)

#13

I agree with Anna, I like to be outside in summer, and at bits it can be so hot that you just can’t think. Winter is better.

#14

Someone should pick a date then.

#15

Sometime around June perhaps, say the week leading up to Sat 20th June 2015.

Is that far enough away from the conventions and big weekend games to not clash?

#16

[quote=“Ryan Paddy”]Sometime around June perhaps, say the week leading up to Sat 20th June 2015.

Is that far enough away from the conventions and big weekend games to not clash?[/quote]Assuming that Crucible sticks to February & September, and Hydra, Chimera and Medusa to April, August and November respectively (and I see no reason to think any of them will change presently), I should imagine so. Crucible might possibly schedule a day game around that time though (I think, don’t quote me on that). I’m not sure if it would be a good or a bad thing to try to schedule day games and the jam for the same weekend. On the plus, it would give people travelling from out-of-town for one another LARP event to attend, but on the negative it would mean a split focus, when a lot of people will already be wanting to put a lot of energy and effort into one and/or the other.

#17

We could also schedule in our game jam eight months in advance and ask our friends on the Crucible team very nicely to not put a day game on top of us :slight_smile:

#18

Won’t people be working on their Chimera games at that stage?