As Larp Grows Up

As Larp Grows Up was published in conjunction with the Knudepunkt 2003 conference.

Content
Introduction by ﻿Line Thorup, Mikkel Sander and Morten Gade

Classics
The Three Way Model Revision of the Threefold Model by Petter Bøckman

A classic and controversial theory originally from tabletop thinkers of how there are three main ways to approach larping, the gamist, dramatist and immersionist angles.

The Dogma 99 Manifesto The Vow of Chastity by Eirik Fatland, Lars Wingård

Ten commandments for a new purist way of making larps that take away much of the baggage from our tabletop origins and put power in the hands of the players. And a really thorough follow-up explanation, by the authors.

The Manifesto of the Turku School by Mike Pohjola

The original "Immersionism good, everything else bad" manifesto, that aims at larp as an artform. It has a lovely pretentious tone, covering up some good and some bad advice to players.

That's Larp!
Why do Bad Larps Happen to Good People? by Johanna Koljonen

An attempt to explore the differences in creative agendas and assumptions among roleplayers in different cultures, as well as the root definition of roleplaying and larp.

The Meilahti School: Thoughts on Role-playing by Henri Hakkarainen & Jaakko Stenros

A great attempt at defining roleplaying. It covers a lot of good views, though it's scope is limited to gamemastered games in some form.

Interaction: The Key Element of larp by Morten Gade

A descriptive look at larp through the lens of interactions between the elements that constitute it.

Relation Theory by Ryan Rohde Hansen

A look at how the dynamic nature of larp emerges from a set of very simple starting situations, also some observations on the relationships of players.

The Diegetic Rooms of Larp by Carsten Andreasen

An article explaining the differences and overlaps between fiction and real world, or diegesis / non-diegesis, plus the states of being and understandings of the players in that crossing.

Role-playing as Interactive Construction of Subjective Diegeses by Markus Montola

A primer in understanding the concept of diegesis, how it is constructed and how players will always be co-creators.

The real world
The use of history in larp by Xenia Salomonsen

An overview of historical correct or inspired larps.

Institutional development of Larp in Oslo by Ragnhild Hutchison

An economic take on the role of institutions in larpcreation, using developments in Oslo as an example.

Play is Political by Johan Soderberg

Roleplaying's position in postmodern living, as an individual escape or artform, as well as some political perspectives.

Learning by Fiction by Thomas Duus Henriksen

A critical look at using roleplay in education, especially the schism in understanding between teachers and larpers.

Phantasmagorie, Simulacre and the Danger of Dragonlance by Marie Carsten Pedersen

A modern cultural history look at fantasy larp, especially the worlds created. It looks on the role of escapism, fiction and myth in the act of worldbuilding.

Larp as a Way to Enlightenment by Elge Larsson

A positive take on the vulnerable mental state in and after larp, looking at it through various religious and psychological lenses.

Zen, Roleplay and Personal Expansion by Denkyu Sebatian Gundel

A look at zen and how it relates to roleplaying, improv and personal growth.

Just do it!
Fuck the Audience by Juhana Pettersson

A tale of a series of intentionally bad, randomly generated, sometimes fake (vampire) larps.

The Development of Ideas by Christian Badse

How to handle ideas, from inception, through refinement, testing and documentation.

Essentials of project management by Mikkel Sander

Basic guide to the role of main organizer of larp projects.

The good character description by Martin Enghoff

The essentials of classic character writeups.

Three basic concepts for LARP organizers by Rune Lippert

The values and lessons of the Danish group Einherjerne's style of simulationist sandbox larps, especially in regards to using minimal rules and creating immediate plots.

Dictionary
Dictionary by Petter Bøckman

A comprehensive dictionary of various larp terms.

The Lost Chapters
Two extra articles

The multi-tier game immersion theory by J. Tuomas Harviainen

Expanding on the concept of immersion, it takes the principle apart and looks at three levels of immersion: Character, reality and narrative, as well as the different

Postmodernism by Elge Larsson

What modernism and postmodernism are and how that relates to larp / participatory art in general.

Downloads

 * [[Media:2003-As.Larp.Grows.Up.pdf|As Larp Grows Up]] (PDF)