Comments | mediaprophet: Anime LARP Analysis

mediaprophet

Anime LARP Analysis

Nov 11, 2008 02:09

Preface: Remember as you read this that I don't mean to criticize this form of LARP. There are some severe logistical limitations on the medium, and I think that the people who put these games on do a fantastic job despite them. However, I will conclude this analysis with some recommendations for how they could do better, within the constraints ( Read more... )

Comments 38

toothlesshag November 12 2008, 00:26:52 UTC

Really enjoyed this analysis, Jon.

So - me playing Sae from Peach girl - master manipulator and compulsive liar set out to torture Momo for reasons of petty 11th grade jellousy- even if she tortured some fruits basket character instead, or even if she joined forces with Gendo- would not be such a good idea, because I would be left out of the action scenes - and therefore the squee moments...right? Is there a way I can get old fashioned LARP pvp drama with some people?

I like your idea of squee moments - I couldn't put my finger on what it was - but those squee moments don't do it for me (but I thnk they would have when I used to watch more anime.)

blank0 November 12 2008, 06:26:28 UTC

Squee moments aren't confined to action scenes, or any type of scene at all. Picking on a Fruits Basket character for a weekend might be a squee moment in itself for a Sae fangirl. Or the Ouran Host twins might get their kicks from confusing others about which is which in order to win a volleyball game (ask Regan how that turned out for her).

As for high pvp drama, that's hard to deliver in any short-term game but especially in this setting. The combination of unreliable, inexperienced players and necessarily shallow writing makes pitting PCs against each other a crapshoot at best, certainly nothing the GMs can rely on. PVP does happen, usually when a talented/hardcore player picks up a compelling villain, or when a crossover provides a natural rivalry, but those are fortunate accidents, not something that can be planned for in advance of game-on.

mediaprophet November 12 2008, 13:34:19 UTC

I also think Sae could be re-imagined more villainous: Make her a high school bully so that, instead of picking on one person, she could pick on all the other high school characters (and probably be routinely foiled, in comic Squee! ways, because half of them are secret martial arts masters and whatnot).

blank0 November 12 2008, 16:06:38 UTC

Re-imagining characters runs counter to the fanboy/fangirl expectations of a lot of the players. It may cut down on squee moments (no problem for Carolyn), and could also confuse less-experienced players who are familiar with the character from the anime, but don't realize what you're doing with her. That said, I might still recommend it to an experienced larper, but for most con players I'd stick to finding her a "new target" via crossover, much like we tried to do with Sousuke Sagara and Misa Amane this year.

In the Sousuke/Misa case we ran into the unreliable player problem, compounded by having written ourselves into a corner with the secluded island plot. Any other year Sousuke would've gotten "new orders" to guard a more reliable player when we realized we weren't getting our Misa. We probably could've found a way to make it happen this year anyway (in fact I just thought of a way that would've also included plot exposition, but hindsight is 20/20, oh well).

Thread 7

Akira's Larp toothlesshag November 12 2008, 00:28:40 UTC

Also, interesting experiment - Akira is running an anime LARP that is not about Squee moments at Intercon because it is not the real anime characters - they are based on genre with different names, designed to parody anime.

It will be interesting to see how this one is different, but Akira promises mayhem (and candy and crayons.)

Re: Akira's Larp blank0 November 12 2008, 16:21:59 UTC

I'm curious, do you notice the squee-moment phenomenon in other games where player-characters are well-known and the players may be "fans?" Like in Drink Deep or Lullaby of Broadway, are players looking for the chance to bring out signature lines, songs, etc?

Re: Akira's Larp mediaprophet November 12 2008, 22:23:47 UTC

Carolyn certainly had a lot of Squee! moments at Lullaby, based on her report (see her LJ).

Re: Akira's Larp toothlesshag November 12 2008, 23:17:07 UTC

Ha! You're absolutely RIGHT! I did! But I am WAYY more of a musical nut than I am an anime nut.

The parallel of the ridiculous crossover was not lost on me.

OH GOD, SO LONG! richterca November 16 2008, 05:58:15 UTC

Wow, I almost think I need an entire post just to reply to this. I'm not specifically disagreeing with you, but here's my take ( ... )

Re: OH GOD, SO LONG! richterca November 16 2008, 05:58:36 UTC

FURTHERMORE (I got cut off as being too long a comment, sorry ( ... )

Re: OH GOD, SO LONG! mediaprophet November 18 2008, 04:19:08 UTC

Re: OH GOD, SO LONG! shinotenshi02 November 19 2008, 04:56:01 UTC

I think charging for the privilege to select your character was my worst idea; it might be tenable, but I also agree with your argument against it. I think a "suggested donation" would work just fine, without violating convention center rules. And it wouldn't stop people from playing and wouldn't deny anyone a character they wanted. The extra money would buy the LARP more clout with the con organizers, and it could get the LARP some space; convention centers tend to have breakaway rooms and smaller conference rooms (100-1000 sqft) that the convention doesn't use.Jon, the problem again with even a 'suggested donation' is that con-Goers already spend ENOUGH MONEY on other things, including GETTING TO THE CON and con-fee. Furthermore, it also will NOT necessarily get you in better with the con-center, and is actually AGAINST some con-regulations ( ... )

Thread 11

shinotenshi02 November 19 2008, 05:07:45 UTC

Jon...one thing I don't think you realize...is not every anime LARP is the same. I can NOT speak for how much writing of plots/events/etc goes into NekoCon. BUT I can speak for Ota, although Joe and Kzin often speak better--on plot Kzin would speak best of all as he compiles all the ideas into a coherant whole...

At Ota, we do a TON of writing on the plot. We really do. From side-plots, to meta-plot, to ideas in store as potential plot-ideas players may come up with that we might wanna run with them, or that we could suggest if they seem bored. There is a LOT of work on it. More than you're supposing. Would you LIKE to see my plot-docs from the last two years of Ota's LARP? They're THICK DOCUMENTS.

*shrug* Something for you to keep in mind.

mediaprophet November 19 2008, 05:10:31 UTC

I would like to see one, actually. An old one, if you have it. I'm very curious what they look like on paper.

satinalien January 15 2009, 16:51:10 UTC

Hello, this is Neya. Just letting you know you're on the Friends page.