How does a well-travelled LARPer handle burnout and creative recharging?

1) You cannot succeed without failure.

2) NOBODY is perfect. Accept faults along with feats.

3) A good LARP will be pretty upfront about what its trying to do -combat, roleplaying, crafts, all of it at once? Reading the rulebook and seeing what details their are on what subjects will also help you.



Its my personal opinion and philosophy that it is less the LARP's job to find a place for you than it is your job to find your place. Its a community before a business, at least thats how I feel about long-term campaigns so thats not fact, but I do think that remembering that will allow you to better enjoy a community experience -- which is just what an extended campaign game is.


While I'm extremely opinionated, you don't have to agree :) I also think this is a fantastic topic and I hope the person who writes articles for that forum considers writing one on this topic.

OOOooooo...... this is a great article idea. Mind if I swap it for a future column? As for my opinion, elena had some good points to consider when looking at a LARP and potential membership or association but they don't answer the key question: "How do you handle cultural burnout and find avenues for creative recharging (when local opportunities seem unavailable)?"

When I've noticed burnout/a need to recharge starting to creep into my own LARP life I often seek out other interests I have and indulge in them a bit more: Maybe it's reading more books from my history bookshelf, getting out and going Geocaching, gathering with friends and going out to watch a movie. I think a lot of the burnout happens because we get so wrapped up in LARPing we forget to get out and enjoy other things or spend time with friends just for the sake of spending time with friends.

Now the creative bent, because I have noticed that LARPers are inherently a very creative group of individuals: If you like to sew, don't sew up more garb/costuming but perhaps some sort of new item for your own, mundane wardrobe. Leatherworking, don't make more bracers or greaves, but how about some fun keychain fobs to sell at the local farmer's market. If you love to draw or paint think about going out to do some artwork that isn't directly related to the game you've been participating in.

Perhaps after some time recharging your batteries you'll want to take a stab at creating a LARP or running a short campaign/chronicle of the style you prefer.

I actually wrote a response about burnout, but it was more along the lines about game management versus game playing, so I decided to address his other points instead. :B

I think a lot of the burnout happens because we get so wrapped up in LARPing we forget to get out and enjoy other things or spend time with friends just for the sake of spending time with friends.

This is very true.

I also think that heightened expectations with experience over time plays into it, but it can generally be addressed by just "stepping back".

I also think that the points I made are good for how to keep yourself from burning out in the first place; ie, keeping complaints or concerns in perspective.

When I've noticed burnout/a need to recharge starting to creep into my own LARP life I often seek out other interests I have and indulge in them a bit more

Which to me, makes sense.

During this "burnt out" phase, I'm indulging my interest in storytelling using the ARG (Alternate Reality Game) narrative art-form (which so far has been a rewarding experience).

The philosophical concern I have, however, is that at some point, I'll have to come to terms with the fundamental question one always asks when one is burnt out:

Is _this_ worth the time and effort anymore?

And at my age and with the work I've devoted to community forums.
If I answer yes, I have to address what frustrates me about LARP (and a game's community)

If I answer no, I'll face that it was time and effort that would have been better spent elsewhere and whether it makes sense to gracefully depart.

Is _this_ worth the time and effort anymore?

And that is a question that only you can answer.

If I answer yes, I have to address what frustrates me about LARP (and a game's community)

Is this LARP community at large, only where you live or only tied to one game or style of game? If all you've ever done is theater style or con games, maybe taking a stab at a live-combat game for a change. Same goes if you've not played a particular style in a very long time, revisit it.

If I answer no, I'll face that it was time and effort that would have been better spent elsewhere and whether it makes sense to gracefully depart.

I think that you're being a bit too hard on yourself and the hobby there, particularly with the "that would have been better spent elsewhere" part. Surely you have come away with something that has made this worth it, even if it seems rather insignificant at this time.

Also gracefully departing will look much better for you in the long run over an over dramatic departure, particularly if you ever decide to return to the hobby after an extended hiatus. ;)

I really do hope that you're able to able to do what is best for you, particularly in light of the massive amounts of frustration you're facing. Best of luck.

If I answer yes, I have to address what frustrates me about LARP (and a game's community)

Is this LARP community at large, only where you live or only tied to one game or style of game?

I've played both in theatre style (non-"Vamp" and "Vamp"), live-combat, and con-style (across a number of genres).

So, it's not play-fatigue.

Part is "at large", part is "local".

The "local" frustration is that I moved a couple years ago, so transitioning and trying to get acquaintance with local 'circles' has not been productive or fruitful.

The "at large" frustration has to do with the fact that I maintain some forums for various LARP communities. I've asked for volunteers that can act as co-maintainers several times over the last few years, with no success.

I've asked so that I can mentally focus on some very complex projects that would help said forums (and the "at large" community), and also so I can get some quiet / down time (else I'll get cranky from the continual interruptions and irritations).

If I answer yes, I have to address what frustrates me about LARP (and a game's community)

I am both right here with you, I promise you, but am also seeing the other side as well.

As a staff member who has only played 5 years of an almost 19-year-old LARP, I see and am concerned with what others don't or aren't, and feel frustrated by its nature. But I also love it for the people and the story and the outlet that I can't get elsewhere.

As much as it drives some people to hate me, I am appreciated by those who matter and am able to work in ways to improve upon my chosen LARP, earned through years of hard work and proving my worth.

Starting over in another community would be hell for me, especially since I have a lot of social ineptitudes (I give bad first impressions and am extremely blunt). I've attended a couple of LARPs singularly and was frustrated by different playstyles, and my inability to put my two cents in, etc. Its hard to start fresh when you "know it all".

But think, from an anthropological standpoint even -- can you try to put yourself in a mental state where you are "new" again? Where that what you are doing is completely different than anything that you've experienced before? To me, I think that is where some of the "magic" of LARPing lies... the freshness of it. Perhaps if you can allow yourself to get into this mindset (and I say this knowing that I wouldn't want to), and are willing to be a "newbie", and then later begin your desire to improve upon your choice... that may work out for the best.

There is no resume for LARP players, you know? You have to become a known commodity.

I tell this story to compare my roleplaying experiences to most everyone, and I think that its a valid point (though I've been argued against.) Once long ago I roleplayed in AOL chatrooms. It was super fun and I was very young. Over time I learned that I didn't play in the style of "better" RPers, so I changed to fit what others were doing, and began to write more as I went, improving my abilities in that way, and felt accomplished. Finally, I discovered MU*s, and eventually filled many telnet screens with my text. But at this point, it became time consuming -- full of dead air. I became frustrated, felt that players weren't up to my standards, and could no longer find a place for myself that I was happy in, because of my standards due to previous experiences. Eventually I stopped playing altogether.

My experience is anything but singular, though some (as I have done through LARP) go through the maintence/staff journey before becoming embittered and quit.

Seeing the cycle happen with a dozen people in a variety of ways now, I make a point of telling myself that I will not get choked up on the faults of my LARP that did them in, and instead strive to be better than those faults, and through my example (and yeah, my involvement as a staff member) create a better LARP. Like in real life, you have to adapt to an environment to make the most of it, IF its what you want, and you can't find something you want more.

Because you are, in the end, responsible for your own satisfaction. A GOOD LARP will also reward those who work hard, and seek to improve itself, but there is only so much that can be given, before the feeling of "entitlement" sets in. Its a powerful force, I've found, all people suffer from it in some way. A good quote about entitlement:

“When a milestone is conquered, the subtle erosion called entitlement begins its consuming grind. The team regards its greatness as a trait and a right. Half hearted effort becomes habit and saps a champion.”

Even if all of this doesn't pertain to your situation, you can see its something I've thought a lot about. I respect any disagreement, but I hope that this helps in some way.

I'll address a few points (a bit out of order), which will point to some of my personal mantra (and a few things that exasperate me about the LARP "community"):

But think, from an anthropological standpoint even -- can you try to put yourself in a mental state where you are "new" again? Where that what you are doing is completely different than anything that you've experienced before?

When it comes to character and narrative/story, for the most part, yes.
Now, in my opinion, that is the only point where any veteran LARPer can approach a new game.

Because there are certain practical habits that you learn that stay with you.

(Such as what to pack (and the necessary backups) for a weekend event, how to pack it (so you can unpack quickly and repack just as quickly), drawbacks on your garb (and adaptations so you can quickly draw your "dagger" in a pinch or quickly fire you magic missiles from an easily accessible pouch), how to do field repairs on your makeup/ears/fangs)

(And to me, everyone has to re-learn mechanics wherever you go unless you are participating in a franchised system)

Having said that, the one hurdle/bane that is faced in that "rebooted" naivete has to do with unoriginal background / game writing.

To paraphrase another writer:
An elf is an elf is an elf...

It becomes difficult to treat an "Elf" differently when they act fairly similar between vastly different games. Tolkien didn't invent elves, neither did Gygax. Same goes with Ogres, Goblins, and Dwarves.


Its hard to start fresh when you "know it all"
A GOOD LARP will also reward those who work hard, and seek to improve itself, but there is only so much that can be given, before the feeling of "entitlement" sets in.

I'll argue that Complacency is the greater sin of any LARPer.

If I'm not finding some new detail or nuance in my own character or challenging myself to take on different roles and backgrounds, then I'm not growing or learning or contributing to other players have a good time.

I won't compare myself to other players, because it's comparing apples to oranges. My life experiences differ from theirs. I can only compare one character I played to a different character and what lessons or techniques I learned.

And while it's true, I am only responsible for my own satisfaction. In some way, how I play my character contributes in a small way to other player's enjoyment in the game.

There is no resume for LARP players, you know? You have to become a known commodity

When I first read this, it hit an old pet peeve of mine, but upon reflection, I have a better response to that question.

LARP players do have a 'resume' that can really only be used outside of LARP.

For example, my experience in LARP is an asset in ARGs, because I understand the concept of plot arcs, character development, and pacing in a live event.

I think the reason that 'resume' does not exist in LARP, is because community is a misnomer.

We really are an overlapping group of micro-fandoms.
(Perhaps that could be a column for discussion on a blog..)

And that is where I likely am frustrated the most, because I have stories stuck in my head and want to share them.

Various writers collaborating happens all the time in the creative industry.

I highly doubt you'll find that same collaboration between a Harry Potter fan fic writer and say a Star Trek fan fic writer. Not saying it hasn't happened, but it's not the norm for any fandom.

Try to even out the Larping and non-larping parts of my world. I have noticed that when I larp alot and neglect other things I enjoy in real life - I burn out. Especially when I am on Staff. Last year I didn't attend 2 events of the Isles campaign and have come back fully recharged. I was not a happy camper last year. I need the Yin (larping) and Yang (non-lapring) in equal parts in my life for me to be happy.