Larp reviewing, critique, analysis, reflection, feedback, and documentation

(Draft page taken from a Facebook post by Petra Lindve.)

This is not a comprehensive list, and it may not even be correct, but feel free to discuss these and put forward your own definitions. (I'm not a larp academic so something like this might already exist, in that case just point me towards it). Of course a piece written or voiced after a larp can contain aspects of several of these though!

Terms

Review

An opinion piece about a larp, going through what worked and what didn't, miscommunications, short anecdotes and the general story of the larp in an accessible format. Can contain rating scales or scores.

For whom: People interested in the larp or the larp organizers' work

Why: So that people who were not in attendance of the larp can get a glimpse of it, or so that those who attended or organized can see the take the reviewer has of the larp.

Critique

An analysis of the larp that can put it in a wider context. It can discuss things like the artistic value of a larp, the place it has in the scene, and similarities between the larp in question and similar larps. It can still contain subjective opinions. It does not have to be written by a participant at the larp.

For whom: A wider audience

Why: To contextualize and analyse a larp

Analysis

A look at the meta techniques, fiction, technology, workshops etc. of a larp. Can contain set parameters that help compare the larp to other larps. Places it in context to other similar experiences.

For whom: Larp academics, people analysing the scene

Why: To place the individual larp in a scene context

Reflection

A personal piece rooted in your own personal experience at the larp, possibly including things like your larp story, the aspects of the larp that worked for you, and the ones that didn't.

For whom: The author

Why: To remember the larp, to write out the thoughts going through your mind after the experience, or to share a small part of the experience with others.

Feedback

The information given from a participant to an organizer, or co-organizer to co-organizer.

For whom: The Organizers

Why: To improve either the larp (in case of reruns), the organising process of a larp (for the organizer's development), or both.

Documentation

Something that serves as a reminder of the larp. Some examples are:

• A written piece about the larp, containing the story, basic facts and possibly pictures from the larp.
• Mementos created during play
• Audio and video recordings
• Photos
• Props, costumes and design-related documents

For whom: People who want to know about the larp and people who want to remember it

Why: To preserve documentation about the larp for posterity