By rights Larping probably shouldn’t be as much fun as it is. ‘Role play’ after all conjures up images of socially awkward people sitting around a table rolling dice. Now don’t get me wrong, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with tabletop gaming, it’s developed a hell of a lot in the 20-odd years since I played, and everyone has different hobbies. But it still has a reputation, a bit of a stigma, and the term ‘live action’ doesn’t really gel with that perception. Likewise, the use of laser tag toys as the combat platform somehow lessens it, makes it sound like a kid’s game.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Imagine the above but as a physical 18+ version, where the average age is in the mid 30s.Children would be given nightmares, most teenagers would be hard pressed handling some of the more intense games.

What we’re basically doing is creating free-flowing movies that we then act out, living inside the action in a way you could never imagine just by watching it on the box. I’ve been chased by zombies, Aliens, glowing jellyfish monsters, and occasionally I’ve been eaten – highly unpleasant, I wouldn’t recommend it. But I’ve spent just as much time chasing things, and sometimes regretting it when I’ve caught them.

The beauty of it is that you make the decisions and can affect the outcome of the game, no matter how the game-runners may want to nudge you in another direction. So, a snarling monster is about to attack you? You can run, shoot back, or charge it and hope for the best.Speaking from personal experience the 3rd option doesn’t work quite so well as you may hope, but it’s fun to try. Other times you really don’t have much of a choice. If you see the glint of teeth and terrifying shadow of an Alien (think Sigourney Weaver) racing up a dim tunnel towards you, your legs are gonna be taking you in the other direction whether you tell them to or not, it’s THAT real. I’ve seen grown men slump against trees, mentally exhausted after surviving a particularly frightening encounter.

The tag toys we use add a great deal of realism to the games. We’re not quite ‘gun-bunnies’ like airsofters are reputed to be, but we do love our tagged up toys, whether they’re relatively realistic looking or made from super-soakers. Mine have names – Billy, Buddy, Bad Horse and Hammer – and I’m sure some of you will get the geeky reference there.

The point is that we take this hobby seriously, and although it originates from role playing and laser tag, it’s really quite distinct from both. We put a hell of a lot of work in, building the tag toys, costumes (my Lara Croft outfit always goes down well with the boys), and amazing props – including a ¾ size Stargate with rotating lights and vents that release smoke to create the swirling wormhole effect. I’ve seen less impressive props at a Leicester Square Star Trek premiere – seriously!

I was a little hesitant to take up larping when I first learned about it, to be honest. I’m female, to start with, and while that’s never stopped me from being ‘one of the boys’ it was a little daunting to see three burley men in uniforms holding guns – even knowing they were fake – advertising the sport. It didn’t really look like something they’d have any patience for women in. Maybe that’s true for Airsoft or Paintball (just going from my experience in Australia), but it’s a completely different story with Larp. The emphasis here is on role play, not the firefight, so it really didn’t matter that I barely knew one end of a gun from another. And accurate shooting is something you can pick up really quickly – a shambling zombie heading for you is great motivation. But it’s the role play that makes it great, entering into a whole world where you have to work your way out of one disaster after another. I’ve played the stereotypical ‘3rd soldier from the left’ roles where the need for extensive acting is minimal, as well as leading a strike force of elite special agents into the belly of a crippled spaceship. It does wonders for your confidence. There’s something about leading a team of survivors from a bloodbath that makes you feel really good about yourself – ignoring the fact that we, erm, kinda were responsible for aforementioned massacre (long story, look out for the upcoming 'Ship's Kats' post).

The thing about people who like sci-fi/role playing/movie or TV watching is that we often stagnate a bit. It’s so easy to just stay at home in front of the TV or computer – or both, if you’re good a multi-tasking. But does that really compare to getting out there and living the action instead of just watching it? Make an effort, get out there and give it a go, and see what you’ve been missing out on this whole time.

I’ve never looked back.