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Just a Game
Feb. 9th, 2014 08:27 pmSo this is a thing:
...And it got me to thinking, why is there such a vehement opposition to the idea that the SCA is a LARP?
Google defines Live Action Role-Playing (LARP) as "a type of interactive role-playing game in which the participants portray characters through physical action, often in costume and with props." On that criteria alone it should qualify.
Here's how the SCA defines itself: "The Society for Creative Anachronism is an international living history group with the aim of studying and recreating mainly Medieval European cultures and their histories before the 17th century."
One could argue that based on the studying/recreating (and educating) parts of the SCA it's not a LARP. I would say that it's not just a LARP. But LARPing is still a big big component. Probably it's biggest component since the only thing you have to do to participate is make an attempt at dressing up.
The real problem, I think, is that LARPing is considered kid stuff. LARPing is a game, and the stuff we do in the SCA is nothing so frivolous as a game. Except it totally is - a game that is, not the frivolous part. Before the torches and pitch forks come out, here are some other things that are just a game.
So something can be a game, and it can be more than just a game simply by the level of commitment to it. In my mind an SCA Knight and a black belt are of a kind with each other. We don't look at a professional boxer and say "it's just a game."
I look at the level of commitment - just among the people I know - and it's a little awe inspiring. In fact, it's often kept me from trying things because I can see how many year of effort to hone those skills are. Hell, someone I have a tough time contemplating the level of effort that sometimes goes into a single costume. I appreciate it - from far far away.
To my fellow SCAdians, who are lamenting the idea that the SCA is a LARP, I ask to please don't. Of course it's a LARP, and more than a LARP, and there's nothing wrong with that. And you know, it's kind of insulting to LARPers, who might have the same level of commitment to their geek as you do to yours.
...And it got me to thinking, why is there such a vehement opposition to the idea that the SCA is a LARP?
Google defines Live Action Role-Playing (LARP) as "a type of interactive role-playing game in which the participants portray characters through physical action, often in costume and with props." On that criteria alone it should qualify.
Here's how the SCA defines itself: "The Society for Creative Anachronism is an international living history group with the aim of studying and recreating mainly Medieval European cultures and their histories before the 17th century."
One could argue that based on the studying/recreating (and educating) parts of the SCA it's not a LARP. I would say that it's not just a LARP. But LARPing is still a big big component. Probably it's biggest component since the only thing you have to do to participate is make an attempt at dressing up.
The real problem, I think, is that LARPing is considered kid stuff. LARPing is a game, and the stuff we do in the SCA is nothing so frivolous as a game. Except it totally is - a game that is, not the frivolous part. Before the torches and pitch forks come out, here are some other things that are just a game.
So something can be a game, and it can be more than just a game simply by the level of commitment to it. In my mind an SCA Knight and a black belt are of a kind with each other. We don't look at a professional boxer and say "it's just a game."
I look at the level of commitment - just among the people I know - and it's a little awe inspiring. In fact, it's often kept me from trying things because I can see how many year of effort to hone those skills are. Hell, someone I have a tough time contemplating the level of effort that sometimes goes into a single costume. I appreciate it - from far far away.
To my fellow SCAdians, who are lamenting the idea that the SCA is a LARP, I ask to please don't. Of course it's a LARP, and more than a LARP, and there's nothing wrong with that. And you know, it's kind of insulting to LARPers, who might have the same level of commitment to their geek as you do to yours.
