MethanCity LARP Explores Fighting for Human Survival in a Wasteland

roseofbattle

News Room Contributor
Apr 18, 2011
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MethanCity LARP Explores Fighting for Human Survival in a Wasteland

A mysteriously abandoned town, mutants, and a 1984-esque government await players in the MethanCity LARP.

Disaster has struck MethanCity. After a war that destroyed much of civilization, the survivors try to restore a government to preserve the human gene. When citizens and soldiers arrive at an old mining town, they discover it's deserted. That's where the fun begins in the Czech LARP, MethanCity.

Held in October of 2013, MethanCity's game begins an unfamiliar town where players find hints that the previous inhabitants left in a hurry. Some people begin to experience mental illness, and a group of mutants appear.

Worldbuilding makes this LARP a really interesting one. The official website gives a history of the world's recovery since the catastrophe, educating potential players on the government, religion, citizen divisions, and even a drink called Victory Gin, reminiscent of George Orwell's 1984. A superpower controls Eastasia and Oceania, led by the leader, who is often depicted on propaganda. In this society, tests genetic screenings determine the worth of each individual. Mutants and descendants of mutants are considered unlawful, and they are supposed to be terminated on sight to prevent further infections.

Most of the roles in the game are specific characters with roles in command and bureaucracy, from the chief protector to the main official to supervisors of urban production. Two scientists in the game research the mutations, a physician examines the mutations and other diseases, and another person in charge of news keeps propaganda going. There are also integrated citizens, members of the highest caste with the highest grade in the genetic screening, in the mining town.

[gallery=3506]

Just like his other LARPs [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/138368-The-Hobbit-Battle-of-Five-Armies-LARP] in the Czech Republic, Ondra Penicka was on site to document the LARP in a set of striking photos.

Photos by Ondra Penicka [http://ondrapenicka.com/]. Courtesy of Larping.org.

Source: Larping.org [http://www.methancity.cz/index.php]


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dangoball

New member
Jun 20, 2011
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Holly shit, that looks like so much fun! And it's Czech! I could actually get to have a go at it! Wohoo for possibilities!
 

Konaerix

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May 19, 2010
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Speaking as someone who is completely ignorant of LARPing culture, whats with the Japanese Imperial Army uniforms and flag?
Is it "story" related or is it just a popular fan motif?

Anyway, looks cool!
 

vallorn

Tunnel Open, Communication Open.
Nov 18, 2009
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Oh wow those photographs are just GORGEOUS. The detailing on the costumes and the atmosphere of the shots really makes me think that I'm looking at the set of some medium budget movie production rather than a LARP.
 

The Last Melon

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Mar 19, 2012
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...not sure how I feel about the Imperial Japanese insignia and the Nazi aesthetic, but the rest of it looks pretty cool.
 

JosefK

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Nov 16, 2014
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Hey guys, I am one of the organizers of that event. The pictures that are attached are from MethanCity Fronta, which is larp airsoft battle taking place in the same universe. The life in the cities is more about larping and Frona is about the war in the wastelands. Those two events were connected (you could hear about the stories from the cities is the frontlines). MethanCity larp gallery can be found here:
http://vero-na.rajce.idnes.cz/MethanCity_-_Bod_obnovy/
http://butrix.rajce.idnes.cz/Methan_city_Bod_Obnovy_14.6.2?/

About the former Japanese flag - it is the fictional setting where post-apocalyptic China, Japan and Corea formed one supernation Eastasia. We have chosen that flag because it is very easy to buy one and it has oriental look. On most of the pictures, the flag is decorated witch Chinese symbol for Emperor. It is very fictional setting and have nothing to do with real countries. It was not the purpose to offend anyone - we did not expect that those pics could be seen by Japanese or Chinese guys.

The black guys inpired by nazi army are also fictional with all symbols and flags. Only the use of dark black and red colour is pointing the fact it is fascist army.

Fun fact: the whole budget of the larp battle (100 participants) was only $3000 :)