LARP

A live action role-playing game (LARP) is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may be mediated by game rules, or determined by consensus among players. Event arrangers called gamemasters decide the setting and rules to be used and facilitate play.

The first LARPs were run in the late 1970s, the activity spread internationally during the 1980s and has diversified into a wide variety of styles. The fictional genres used vary greatly, from realistic modern or historical settings to fantastic or futuristic eras. LARPs range in size from small private events lasting a few hours to large public events with thousands of players lasting for days.

LARP has also been referred to as live role-playing (LRP), interactive literature, and freeform role-playing. Playing a LARP is often called larping, and one who does it is a larper.

LARP does not have a single point of origin, but was invented independently by groups in North America, Europe, and Australia.The earliest recorded LARP group is Dagorhir, which was founded in 1977 in the USA and focuses on fantasy battles.Today LARP is a popular activity in North America, Europe, Russia and Australasia. Large games with thousands of participants are run by for-profit companies, various LARP books are published and an increasingly professional industry sells costume, armour, and foam weapons intended primarily for LARP.