LARPing - Where Cosplay and Gaming Come to Meet

I Have a Confession...

I am a terrible blogger. 

With That Said - Let's Talk About LARPing (Live Action Role Playing)

Okay, so LARPers don't dress like that. They're a lot more graceful (if I can use that word?) in terms of story and character. 

The best way (as an outsider) of LARPing is that it is a mix between cosplay and gaming (think Dungeons and Dragons gaming - even online gaming to an extent). I'm sure some would argue that it is nothing like cosplay (which is why I said as an outsider - but I can understand why they want there to be distinct differences), but it is definitely the next step-up from playing a game inside with a few people to going outside and building structures, "fighting" with small armies and perhaps coming to the closest experience of living in another world, or era.

So What Else Do They Do?

Well, like every other Sub-Culture that has been mentioned on here so far - they like to get together, party, and compete (or in this case battle against each other). There's most likely a LARPing group nearby you right now deciding on the next get-together or working on their costumes/characters/stories at this very moment. 

So Why Do LARPing?

Well, if you're a fan of games like D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) or you just really want to beat the crap out of someone with a foam sword while living out your Game of Thrones fantasy, then you will probably enjoy LARPing. 

I believe some of the biggest draws to it are 1. you bring the fantasy into reality (by becoming characters you create, costumes, etc.) 2. you're outdoors and 3. you get to meet with like-minded people. 

Even more of a draw is that most people are there for fun in a safe environment! 

What I find fascinating about LARPing is that depending on the group you're with, and what you like, you can essentially LARP any era or fantasy world. So if you feel like dressing up like an Orc and wield a giant hammer, go ahead! Or if you want to dress like a cowboy with steampunk elements (crossing sub-cultures and genres does happen!), go right ahead! Basically your imagination is the limit and be courteous to fellow LARPers.

Alright, You Got Me. How Did You Know That I Have An Urge to Fight People With a Foam Weapon While Dressed Like I'm From the Film "300"? Now Where Can I Go To Make This Happen?

Like I said, most likely there is (or are) a local group(s) of LARPers nearby you. Sometimes these groups get together to battle each other, too.

Anyway, without further ado, here is a list of sites you can check out for yourself!

-www.larping.org - A website with videos on LARPing, clothing, forums, etc. This site basically shows how popular LARPing has become

-http://larptrek.com - With the caption "Boldly LARPing where no crew has LARPed before." Thought I would share this to show how you can LARP just about anything. It doesn't have to all be medieval themed.

- http://www.larp.com - Another LARPing website with some LARPing groups.

-http://www.darkknightarmoury.com/c-6-larp-weapons.aspx - For all your foam weapon needs and more.

-http://www.museumreplicas.com/c-93-latex-weapons.aspx - If you're looking for that one foam weapon or medieval monk's robe that you just can't seem to find anywhere else. Or if you're looking for clothing from a different era.

I Don't Believe People Do This. I Need To See This In Order To Believe It

Well, you're in luck! Here are some videos, documentaries and movies that have touched on or are about LARPing!

- Role Models (Film, 2008) - Paul Rudd's character becomes unhappily becomes the mentor of Christopher Mintz-Plasse's character in film. Why is this important? Christopher's character does LARPing in the film. It's a comedy if you haven't seen it.

-LARPs: The Series - A web series on a group of LARPers and their lives outside of LARPing.  You should check it out! Most of the episodes are 5 - 6 minutes in length. The last few are about 6 - 7 minutes long.