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A debriefing is a type of aftercare with structured conversation held after a larp ends, about the larp that just ended. The term is used about at least three different kinds of conversations:

"What Really Happened"

A speech/conversation where organizers, often supplemented by some or all players, reveal the secret underlying plots (if any) behind the events at the larp, or just summarize the events as they took place. The purpose of this kind of debrief is to help everyone connect the dots, and a chance to talk about cool stuff that happened and wasn't visible to all players.

Critique & Evaluation

A conversation where players take turns describing their larp experience and share views on the larp design and production. Such debriefs are meant to give organizers honest feedback, and help the community as a whole learn more about larp organizing and design. At their shortest, this kind of debrief hears a one-sentence statement from each player. At their longest, lasting for hours, various questions are asked and answered, and discussions that arise are allowed to conclude.

De-roling

A conversation with a focus on helping players articulate and deal with difficult emotions, thoughts or relationships that arose in the larp. Such debriefs often split players into groups of 4-8, so as to give each participant more time to be heard, and may also have a facilitator for each group. They last for at least an hour minimum, and often longer.

See also