Nordic larp

Nordic-style larp, or Nordic Larp, is a term used to describe a tradition of larp game design that emerged in the Nordic countries.

Nordic Larp Book

The term was widely popularized by the 2010 book Nordic Larp, edited by Jaakko Stenros and Markus Montola.

Nordiclarp.org Definition

This is the definition used by the Nordiclarp.org websites. It's less of an academic definition and more meant as a statement to gather the scene around it in an inclusive manner. There is a longer explanation of the term at the source link.

Nordic larp is a term for shared larp traditions in the Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. What sets the Nordic larp traditions apart from others is a strong emphasis on collaboration and collective creation, unobtrusive rules, as well as a rich variety of play styles and settings sometimes including heavy themes.

— nordiclarp.org/what-is-nordic-larp/

Jaakko Stenros 2013 Nordic Larp Talk Definition

For a Nordic Larp Talk in 2013 researcher and co-author of the book Nordic Larp, Jaakko Stenros wrote a definition with help from Markus Montola and Bjarke Pedersen.

A larp that is influenced by the Nordic Larp tradition or contributes to the ongoing Nordic larp discourse.

— Jaakko Stenros

For some this might seem to loose. As Stenros puts it:

This definition may seem disappointing, or even like a cop out. It does not arm you with analytical tools that you could use, disconnected from larp practice, to identify a Nordic Larp. But Nordic Larp is not a set of instructions. It is not even a coherent design philosophy, though that is a fairly common claim online. It is a movement.

— Jaakko Stenros

Brand statement

To perceive Nordic Larp as brand. Stenros tried to confine it to a 48 word brand statement.

A tradition that views larp as a valid form of expression, worthy of debate, analysis and continuous experimentation, which emerged around the Knutepunkt convention. It typically values thematic coherence, continuous illusion, action and immersion, while keeping the larp co-creative and its production uncommercial. Workshops and debriefs are common.

— Jaakko Stenros

Video

Nordic Larp introduction

An introduction to Nordic Larp by Johanna Koljonen at Nordic Larp Talks 2010.

Nordic Larp defintion

A presentation by Jaakko Stenros with the ambition to define what Nordic Larp means at Nordic Larp Talks 2013.

External links

• Introduction to Nordic Larp, 2010 Nordic Larp Talk by Johanna Koljonen.
• What does Nordic Larp mean?, 2013 Nordic Larp Talk by Jaakko Stenros.
• Full keynote transcript of the 2013 Nordic Larp Talk by Jaakko Stenros