Closing Out the Spring LARP Season

LARP Portal Character Tune Up Series

Best Practices for Submitting In-Between Game Info Requests to Staff

It has been a very successful Spring LARP season - new games, new players - maybe you even bought a new weapon or a new costume. After the past few years of uncertainty with Covid-19, it felt like we were almost back to normal. You can read about the impact of Covid on LARPs in our most recent blog “HOW LARPERS SURVIVED COVID”, but in this newsletter we continue our Character Tune-Up series with an article on the Best Practices of In Between Game Skills (IBGS) and how to get the most out of submitting an information request to staff.

For LARPs that are rich in roleplay and intrigue, where rules are built to engage the characters in information gathering, both in and out of game, the submission of info requests to plot staff is often not transparent to players or is removed from a game when it becomes too hard to manage. LARP Portal has just added this feature for Players to bring more visibility and tracking of the process, which makes this a great opportunity to share this perspective.

While the philosophy and approaches to information skills may vary from game to game, there are 3 basic “Best Practices” to consider when you send a request for “In-Game Information”; Quantity, Quality, and Timing.

1. Quantity/Frequency of Requests

How many you request can impact your response

You may have one or more skills that allow you to gather information and opportunity to purchase the skill multiple times. You may also be involved in one or more plots where your info skills would be applicable. Whether a LARP sets a limit on the number of info requests that can be submitted or rules for carry-overs, I think it is understood that resources are limited and excessive requests will require prioritization and possibly some cancellations.

  • Use your info skill where and when most appropriate, not just because you have the skill.
  • Prioritize your requests about existing plots; this will help plot staff provide clarity where needed.
  • Limit questions about things in your character’s backstory unless you know it’s relevant to an existing story. Plot is unlikely to write a new plot just because you submitted an info skill.

2. Quality of your Request

One criteria that is critical in the success of a request is the quality of the submission.

  • Re-read the skill to ensure that your request meets the criteria of the skill before submitting. For instance, don’t use a skill about bardic songs to ask a question about court politics.
  • Include names of the plot or storyline, NPC or PC characters if applicable
  • Be willing to learn from others if you are not sure how best to use an info skill. By seeking out other like minded characters in-game, more quality information can be gained.
  • Consider coordinating with others and submitting a consolidated request to staff if your game allows that.

3. Timing of your Request

When you submit your request can impact if you get a response.

Many games will provide a deadline for submitting requests and qualify how they will address submissions. The best practice for IBGS submissions is submitting your Info requests immediately after an event when you have had time to do your event summary and debrief with other team members. This gives plot staff the most opportunity to consider your request before the next event. Players that submit their requests at least 2 weeks before an event may see better results than players that submit the week of an event.

For those that LARP throughout the summer stay cool! We’ll be back in the Fall with another LARP Portal Tune Up article “How to update your Character in LARP Portal to Help Drive Plot”