LARP, starting a new group

[grimcrystal]

How exactly do you start your own LARP group outside of the major groups like amptgard and Laire; are there like any requirements?

[KyleS]

Break it down to as simple as I can, and to be fair...I've only organized 1 game, and it has yet to happen. (It starts in 12 hours actually).

Establishing a player base: Search around, look for game stores, other LARP's, draw from friends, etc. You need players to have a game, and the more the merrier to be honest. You want to draw in as many folks as you can that want to be there for the game. Its easier if you attend multiple LARPs and know other folks who are into LARPing and can give you that number boost right off the bat. If you don't know folks, then reach out and get a feel for who might be interested. You could have the greatest idea and rule system ever, but to be successful you need people to actually play.

Building a Concept/World: What style of game do you want? Medieval Fantasy, heavy combat, Minds Eye Theater, Modern, Post Apocalypse? What do you want your players to interact with, and help to build within? Who are the antagonists in this world? Other players, ST's, random monster A. Nothing at all?

Rules: This is where it gets tricky. Rules depend entirely on what type of game you want to have, in my opinion. Whether the rules are as simple as, if you get hit in the arm you lose the arm, or as diverse as NERO/Legacies/SOLAR, you want to cater your rules to your World and to your players. Build rules which go hand in hand with your LARPs premise. Don't get caught up in the nuances if you can avoid them, instead build rules which simply add to the world rather than define it.

Hrm...I'm tired and have a game to run tomorrow (yay!) but I hope those thoughts kind of help. I'll post more when I get a chance. Good luck with your endeavour.

[RyanPaddy]

All you really need is this:

• The ability to enthuse other people to help you run your larp, and to play in it.

That's the only absolute requirement. But some other things will help a lot:

• Equipment to use at your larp. If you don't want to buy gear, you can cheaply and easily build "boffer" weapons of the sort that are common in the US. Or if you prefer nicer-looking stuff and have some patience, you can learn to make latex weapons. You can also make or buy costumes and other gear. There are lots of guides online, we can point you to them.
  
• Rules to play with. People on this forum can help you with that.
  
• A fictional setting to play in. Again, you can get help here.
  
• Venues to play at. Public parks are the free option.

And then there are some nice-to-haves:

• Insurance. If you're just small and playing with your friends, this isn't a big deal. But if you get bigger and are in the US, you probably need some.
  
• Charging players for games. This is only needed if you have costs to cover like paying for a venue, food, NPC gear, etc.

Running a larp involves a fair amount of work. But if you have a bunch of friends helping, it can also be a lot of fun.

[grimcrystal]

Thank you guys for the help, i waasnt or sure if there was some like major LARP headquarters that would tell me i neeeded to do this this and this to start my own group, thanks for the help

[RyanPaddy]

Nah, anything goes. So long as you're not breaking any laws.

[Eldrad]

Read over my simple set of LARP rules and use them if you would like. Where are you located grimcrystal?
_________________
I know the pieces fit! I watched them fall away!