Main Page
What is Nordic Larp?
Larp is originally an acronym for Live Action Role Playing, but today it’s used as name in itself. It refers to a type of interactive game or storytelling in which the players assume a role and act as a character within the set fiction. It can be described as theater without an audience or script.
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-style larp is dramatically different from larp in other parts of the world – here are a few examples of aims and ideals that are typical for this unique gaming scene:
Immersion. Nordic larpers want to feel like they are “really there”. This includes creating a truly convincing illusion of physically being in a medieval village/on a space ship/WWII bunker, playing a character that is very close to your own physical appearance, as well as focusing on getting under the character’s skin to “feel their feelings”. Dreaming in character at night is seen by some nordic larpers as a sign of an appropriate level of immersion.
Collaboration. Nordic-style larp is about creating an exciting and emotionally affecting story together, not measuring your strength. There is no winning, and many players intentionally let their characters fail in their objectives to create more interesting stories.
Artistic vision. Many Nordic games are intended as more than entertainment – they make artistic or even political statements. The goal in these games is to affect the players long term, to perhaps change the way they see themselves or how they act in society.
We recommend this great presentation from Nordic Larp Talks for more depth:
Starting Places
Here are some suggested starting places for browsing this wiki:
- Larps - Nordic-style larps or larps using design tools covered by this wiki.
- Meeting Places - Other places where people meet to discuss and develop nordic larp game design.
- Techniques - Techniques and tools used before, during or after larp games.
- Documentation - Books, films and other publications about Nordic-style larp.
- Concepts - Concepts used to talk about Nordic-style larp.
- Projects - Other projects not covered by the above categories.
- Organizations - Non-profits, groups, companies, larpwright collectives, NGO's and others.
Contribute
There are some resources in place to help you get things right:
- The Style Guide has tips on how to write.
- The Larp Policy explains how we write about larps in this Wiki.
- The People Policy governs how we write about people in this Wiki.
- The Picture Policy governs how we use images on this Wiki.
- A guide to writing about larps.
- A guide to writing about people.
Getting Started
Here are some good places to start:
- Wanted pages - Pages that are linked but do not yet exist. If you know that event or concept, jump in and describe.
- Stubs - Pages that could use some fleshing out.
- RecentChanges - Newly added or edited pages.
- Visual Editor User Guide
Be bold. Consult the User's Guide for information on using the wiki software.
What This Is
- A concise database over game design tools, games, groups, movements, schools and conferences.
- A relevant and useful toolbox for larp game designers. Pretty humor-less.
What This Isn't
- A place to promote your coming project, business or person.
Who's Behind This
Nordic Larp Wiki is made by everyone and anyone who's makes the choice to contribute. No gods, no masters, just doers. It was started by Johannes Axner who also is the technical administrator of the site. It's run completely non-profit for the benefit of the Nordic larp scene.
