What is LARPing?

LARPing or “live-action role-playing” is an event where participants physically portray characters in a fictional yet physical setting, where players interact with other characters participating in the LARP.

History of LARPing

Originally inspired by tabletop role-playing games and genre fiction, the first LARPs were run in the late 1970s, while the outcome of a player’s action was mediated by pre-set game rules or determined by consensus among players, but in most cases today, event hosts known as gamemasters generally decide the setting and rules used to facilitate play.

LARPing spread internationally during the 1980s, while today the activity has become one of the hottest entertainment trends in mainland China. Play can range from game-like mythological fantasy settings to full-on dramatic artistic expression, oftentimes modeled around educational or political goals.

Production and staging values generally remain minimalistic, while still other LARPs have evolved into elaborate sets and costumes, ranging in size from small private events lasting several hours, to large public gatherings that last for days and even weeks, making LARPing a viable way to channel forgotten acting careers and pent-up frustrations.