Why all the LARP hate?

[Orcboyphil]

I'm just wondering what it is about LARP and the gamer community that leads to such riddicule. At university I used to enjoy LARP, on the weekend I would go into the woods run around for a couple of hours and get totally exhauseted before heading back for a shower and then down to the pub with the people I had just LARPed with for a pint and a natter. I can see where the silliness comes from with the silly costumes and the shouting out of spells, but the combat is fun and challenging and it gets you out in the fresh air doing healthy exercise. Its pretty much like the local sunday football game for geeks. So what is it about LARP that makes us LARPers the bottom of the barrel, slightly higer than furries to the rest of gamer community?

 

[Eumersian]

I don't know if this is what this forum is for. I think this would be an Off-Topic, or even Gaming one.

EDIT: But I guess people have the misconception that people take it way too seriously, to add to the actual discussion.

 

[BoosterGold]

Yeah this is an OFF Topic thread.

OT: LARPing = awesome

 

[Hollock]

It just looks so ridiuclous and people like to say 'I'm nerdy, but at least I'm not an X'. Though it does look like a lot of fun.

 

[Zombie_Fish]

Moved to Off-Topic. For future reference, the Forum Games & RP forum is for roleplaying, not discussion about roleplaying.

--Zombie

 

[TheWwwizard]

Personally I hold LARPers in higher regard than jocks or anyone like that, because at least LARPers are willing to go out and do something they enjoy without worrying about their image. Not to mention it looks kinda fun to just not give a shit about anything but "Killing" your enemy for a while. When I was a kid I used to have 1 on 1 sword duels with my friends (Fake swords of course) and we would beat the hell out of each other... Which reminds me, you ever tried running at someone screaming at the top of your lungs with your sword ready to come down on them? It's was pretty effective back when I did it.

 

[Jack and Calumon]

I have never seen this and they've portrayed it quite well in shows like House and haven't seen anyone go "lol at fail people" towards them, so unless I could see some hatred, I can't really answer the clichéd question.

Calumon: Maybe because they want the costumes. They look comfy.

 

[RobCoxxy]

Because it's a little bit too silly?

 

[Treeinthewoods]

I don't hate it, I love it! There are so many things in this world that I truly love mocking and LARPING is definitely on that list. It's just so... so... funny! It's really, really funny!

I don't hate you if you are a LARP guy, I don't mock you out of anger, I just think it's funny. It reminds me of the South Park episode where they are playing ninjas and in their imaginations it's like an incredible martial arts anime but anybody else who looks sees a bunch of kids swinging toy weapons at each other and panting.

 

[Futurenerd]

Because of this:

 

[TeeBs]

Fireball!!!
I don't hate larping, but humor based on it can be hilarious, I don't know who is on the top of this social latter your talking about but if they looked funny I will laugh at them, thats just because of the asshole prep I have inside of me.

 

[Swarley]

Because of this:

Too many = in their champ.

edit: and it's the exact video I had intended to post!

LIGHTNING BOLT
LIGHTNING BOLT
LIGHTNING BOLT

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

Because you look RIDICULOUS. And childish. And it makes you look like a bunch of nerds trying to escape their pathetic lives by pretending to be fictional heroes.

That's what I'VE always thought of it, anyway.

 

[Celtic_Kerr]

There is an area in my city where LARPers get up at 8AM... 8-fucking-AM every saturday and sunday, running around and hacking at each other. This area is basically a large hill, and the sound travels so far that it sounds like it is right outseide your window. THat's why alot of people in my city hate LARPing,

Oh, and it's very difficult to have a nice, calming day just walking around the parc or having a picnic when a bunch of people dressed in armor are stomping around and stabbign at each other. I'm not taking about 30 feet away in the distance... They will literally run as close as they can to where ANYONE is and just disrupt anyone's day.

I was on a date one day and they just kept running around us, and we were holding hands, sitting on a picnic clothe, enjoying the day and trying to just talk... they were maybe 5 0r 8 feet away. The ones around here simply don't respect that I don't want them within spitting distance shouting out while I'm having a calm day, so I simply wion't respect them.

 

[TaboriHK]

In short, because it's socially embarrassing. Whether or not it's fun doesn't detract from the fact that 6 year old kids do it regularly at the park.

 

[TheUnstoppableRobman]

LARPing is just not my thing. I played football in highschool. When that was over I didn't wanna run around with anyone. Just wanted to unwind with my console. as far as the hate, I dunno I guess LARPing does look a little silly if you don't dig fantasy. Sidenote: most black guys avoid running round in the woods whith white guys chasing them with weapons...bad memories lol

 

[KEM10]

I've actually done it a few times and it's alright. However, people get really into it. You think your noble swordsman in your D&D group is boring and a bit over the top, try interacting with him in a LARP. His character acts the same and just like in the group he is only interested in fighting. It gets more tiring in person.

Also, I may have to link it with the "hard core" gamer variety ideas with motion controls. They want their games while spread out on a couch with some snack food bag next to them, they don't want to run about and (heaven forbid) exercise.

 

[Latinidiot]

It looks so stupid.

I would very much like to participate once, but it just looks so very, very silly.

 

[Kwaren]

Because you look RIDICULOUS. And childish. And it makes you look like a bunch of nerds trying to escape their pathetic lives by pretending to be fictional heroes.

That's what I'VE always thought of it, anyway.

Try it, you might like it. I had thought it was silly until I got involved. I personally enjoy the combat the most. In my group we have no magic or powers. We fight with padded swords and arrows. It is quite a workout.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

It just looks so ridiuclous and people like to say 'I'm nerdy, but at least I'm not an X'.

Well, how about you hear it from a non-Larpers view?


And yeah, we all wince when we see "Lightning Bolt" as well. But you don't judge computer game players by Xbox Live Swearers, do you?