I've been playing around with the idea of a solo LARP. My idea is that you would work up a play sheet that would have the basic precept of the conspiracy and a handful of symbols or hallmarks of it.
You would play an investigator. If you stumble across one of these hallmarks in the real world or online a series of draws from a deck of cards would reveal whether you've found a valid clue, which of your skills (Instinct, Psyche, Investigation, and History) is used to understand the clue, and on a strong success a 3 card draw that gives you greater understanding of the evidence you've found.
It's still very much a WIP. It would seem to be a game that doesn't have a solid end goal, I can't decide if it would need one. Not to trivialize the people we meet day to day, but I also have a few ideas for how to utilize them as unwitting NPCs. Currently the risk factor is also unknown. I like the idea that a certain number of failed draws would draw attention from who/whatever is behind the conspiracy and they would "disappear" your character in appropriate style.
As a concept what are people's thoughts?
I hate saying this, but I kind of dig this idea. Especially the draw to understand/fail. I have absolutely ZERO ideas for how to make this click together, but I think this would be really interesting.
ReplyDeleteEspecially since I'd love to have a virtual "murder board" where I try to piece the evidence together.
Green Arrow: The spread of coffee bars, germs outpacing antibiotics, and boy bands? Come on! Who would gain from all this?
The Question: Who, indeed?
ABG: Always Be Gaming!
ReplyDeleteit's not a new idea, not my cup of tea though
ReplyDeletehttps://plus.google.com/107904047923934605015/posts/GabioZdEmTF
larpbook.com - The Single Player LARP - 2 Game Ideas - LARPBook
lino pang thanks for sharing those. I think I've either seen them or something similar.
ReplyDeleteThey hit it on the head when they noted that at first blush they are games that take place in your head. That was my initial hurdle, because for my own play I need evidence that I've done something: journal entries, figures moved on the board, numbers changed on the character sheet, anything. For the game idea I described above I envision a log or notebook being kept perhaps with mechanical incorporation somehow.
However one thing I liked about both of their scenarios is that they are self perpetuating. Without direct input after the initial rundown their is no call for an oracle or randomizer to keep the narrative going. That is an aspect I've been aiming for in my own games lately.
This reminds me of Tarcisio Lucas game played on a steeet corner. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d3x9x2tmt1t7qGgO-Lg7WTDeTwEc-bi5/view?usp=drivesdk
ReplyDeleteAnd also of a game called Nighttime Animals Save the World that is played in the real world.
http://storygames.pbworks.com/f/The%2BNighttime%2BAnimals%2BSave%2Bthe%2BWorld.doc
Your game idea sounds a bit like De Profundis. I would look at that.
ReplyDeleteI had the idea once to try keeping a fake diary, writing fictionalised accounts of places & events to which I'd gone (as a character, not myself), inventing interactions with made-up people at them, etc., but I never quite got it started. I think it needs some sort of focus or plot idea to try teasing out of it. It's also more of a writing project than anything else, though the process of writing it would be rather LARP-y.
ReplyDeleteGerard Nerval probably Quill is a good source of inspiration for your project
ReplyDelete