The Book of LARP

Written by Sandy Antunes, Mike Beddes, Jeff Diewald, John Kammer, Ryan Markle,

Gordon Olmstead-Dean, Mike Tracy, & Mike Young

 

Reviewed by Monica Valentinelli

 

                What is “LARP?” How do I design a “LARP?”  As a GM, how is this different from tabletop gaming?  The book of LARP, written by a team of writers, sets out to answer those and several other questions.  Live Action Role-Playing is fleshed out in every detail through “The Book of LARP.”  Written for the novice or beginner LARPer, the book sets out to direct interested players on all aspects of a LARP game.

                A difficulty with having so many people involved in any instructional work, is the flow of language.  Surprisingly, “The Book of Larp” was written clearly.  One can tell that the project was delegated early in the book’s concept stages.  The instructional portion, although written by more than one writer, has just enough humor to add an enjoyable conversational tone to the piece.  The style is well-structured and consistent throughout the book.  Of special interest is the impartial commentary that appears throughout the book on various topics.  For example, when discussing the different LARP systems the book recognizes that while the much heralded “Rock, Paper, Scissors” system of mechanics is convenient and easy to use, there is also a strong potential for a character cheating.  Any player who reads the book will appreciate the straightforward style of writing, and the range and depth of topics in LARP available.

                The book begins with a definition of LARP and addresses the GM.  From there, the book discusses subjects in LARP that range from choosing a room location to picking out lighting for ambience.  While it is true that there is little to no subjects on LARP that the book could have missed, the book is extremely difficult to follow due to its layout. 

                Interspersed between the instruction are several, smaller LARPs.  The LARPs themselves are geared toward beginner players. Ranging from a few players to he sample LARPs could have been set up differently, so that the reader knew the purpose of their placement.  The remainder of the book’s layout makes sense.  The Chapter headings are clear and easy to follow, as are the sections that follow the headings.  The Table of Contents is an excellent reference tool for any curious reader looking for a specific topic. 

                Beyond the layout, the art and the choice for fonts and headings were poorly chosen.  Most roleplayers will find themselves disappointed at the quality of the artwork that takes place throughout the book. 

 

Review provided by  Matt McElroy http://www.flamesrising.com