requested post #4
Oct. 3rd, 2007 11:52 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
drydemThe fatigue felt by participants in indefinite serialized LARP requested by austenebrous
There is a reason that I prefer Babylon 5 to the X-files. In the one case, a story was written with a clear beginning middle and end and progressed through them with each segment of the story well understood based on its position within the overall narrative. In the other, a premise was given through which individual narratives could be presented, but without reference to a larger, structured storyline with a definite resolution point.
The same can be said for indefinitely serialized LARPs. Part of the narrative frame as understood by the participants is the position of a game within a larger narrative. Playing the first game of a storyline is different from playing the last game of a storyline. When there is not a clear sense of storyline by participants, it is difficult to understand the position of the character within that narrative. This uncertainty is a major factor in player disconnect with narrative. If players feel disconnected from the overall game narrative then they frequently feel disconnected with the game and attendance and participation lead to player fatigue.
This is not to say that a LARP cannot progress without a clear end in sight. It is perfectly possible to run a LARP that continues through serialized plotlines without reference to a terminal event. However, some transparency to participants is necessary to prevent players feeling lost within the narrative.
There is a reason that I prefer Babylon 5 to the X-files. In the one case, a story was written with a clear beginning middle and end and progressed through them with each segment of the story well understood based on its position within the overall narrative. In the other, a premise was given through which individual narratives could be presented, but without reference to a larger, structured storyline with a definite resolution point.
The same can be said for indefinitely serialized LARPs. Part of the narrative frame as understood by the participants is the position of a game within a larger narrative. Playing the first game of a storyline is different from playing the last game of a storyline. When there is not a clear sense of storyline by participants, it is difficult to understand the position of the character within that narrative. This uncertainty is a major factor in player disconnect with narrative. If players feel disconnected from the overall game narrative then they frequently feel disconnected with the game and attendance and participation lead to player fatigue.
This is not to say that a LARP cannot progress without a clear end in sight. It is perfectly possible to run a LARP that continues through serialized plotlines without reference to a terminal event. However, some transparency to participants is necessary to prevent players feeling lost within the narrative.
