A Renaissance of LARPing: The Modern Age

The basics

LARP is defined by The Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “a live-action role-playing game in which a group of people enact a fictional scenario (such as fantasy adventure) in real time typically under the guidance of a facilitator or organizer.” While LARPing may slip under the radar for most, it is a growing community in more ways than one. I am a LARPer, but probably not the kind you are thinking of. The live-action role-playing that I have been participating in since I was a child is airsoft.

Airsoft is an activity in which players use military replica weapons that fire plastic pellets. Compared to what is used today, the equipment used initially was rather crude. They were simple, limited to basic handguns and only a few kinds of rifles. None had the automatic or battery-powered features that are now the standard of today. Having been made from clear plastic with bright orange tips, the overt harmlessness of the design also made playing in our neighborhood much easier. Another major difference between iterations was the significant increase in power. Back then, getting hit by an old spring-powered gun would likely leave you with a red mark for the day or even a welt if you were hit close enough. Nowadays however, modern versions are powered by both a spring and a motor, giving them far more force than before. I have the literal scars to prove how powerful they have become. Their realistic appearance also presents new challenges. They look so much like actual firearms that they require a rifle bag for transport – something you can buy at most airsoft retailers. This authenticity also makes it difficult to find acceptable places to LARP without drawing unwanted attention.

Questionable decision making

I remember the last time my friends and I  went airsofting in public like it was yesterday. We found what seemed like a perfect spot in the creek bed – deep and hidden from the road – but our crucial mistake was that it backed up against a parking lot. This resulted in someone spotting us and calling the police, and the afternoon ended with a detainment in handcuffs and a good long talking-to by the responding officers. 

Thankfully, being kids undoubtedly helped our case, as we were let off with only a warning. We eventually solved the problem by moving our games to official airsoft parks like Hollywood Sports and SC Village. With a safe and affordable place ($37 for the entire day,) our weekends were suddenly booked solid. In the end, the experience was incredible; we could join huge “fights” with over 100 players per team, all within a structured environment with a defined set of rules.

A regulated environment

The first stop after getting your wrist band is the chronograph station, usually just referred to as the chrono test. In order to ensure the safety of the participants, the purpose of the test is to measure the muzzle velocity of the arsenal you plan to use that day. If an airsoft rifle shoots too fast and hard, it can cause injury to the other players. The standard tool is a digital reader that is placed over the end of the barrel. The referee will instruct you to fire a few BBs (round plastic pellets) to accurately measure the speed and force your rifle produces.

I remember I failed my first chrono test. I had just gotten a new rifle; it was fresh out of the box and never even been fired. I plugged in the battery and excitedly waltzed over to the testing booth. When I took a shot, it registered at 500 feet per second, 100 over the limit. I felt horrible that I had failed the test and would not be allowed to use the rifle. We later discovered there was a manufacturing error, and my rifle had accidentally been given a higher gauged spring. This was ultimately a simple fix, and I still own it to this day, over ten years later. 

The next major rule is the ten foot rule. If you come within ten feet of another player you must call out “bang bang” instead of shooting them in order to avoid serious injury. There was a time where it was common to yell out “surrender,” a term I continued to use even after it became antiquated. It often got a laugh out of people. In reality, when out on the field, it is easy to get startled rounding a corner and fire off ammunition point blank at each other. This is something I have been on the giving and receiving end of before. People are cool about it and everyone apologizes but there is always that one guy or group being asses about everything. 

The other strictly enforced rule is the prohibited use of pyrotechnics. No smoke bombs and certainly no fireworks. Another banned item that loosely falls into this category is what is called Thunder Bs. If you’re familiar with a flash-bang, a Thunder B is the bang with no flash. These were banned at one of our local fields after someone lost hearing in an ear, or so the story goes. None of us ever witnessed anything so dramatic in all our years of playing. The last but most important safety rule is to wear a full face covering rated for airsoft and or paintball that includes ear protection. Nobody wants to lose an eye, burst an ear drum, or swallow a pellet.

MILSIM

There is another level to the world of airsoft which are military simulation games, MILSIM for short. These games can last for days, have more detailed objectives, chain of command, and come with uniform requirements to play. This can mean that each team requires a certain type of camo to differentiate from each other. They also do not always require the same safety gear as public games at sports parks. People only wearing safety glasses is a common sight. I have not had the pleasure of participating in such games, only watching through YouTube. In my area of Southern California, they are not that common and can be expensive. I also do not own specific camo gear. I normally wear a black T-shirt and cargo shorts for comfort. If the opportunity were to arise and I was able to get away for a few days I absolutely would.

A Simple Matter of Aesthetics

So why can airsoft be considered LARP, but paintball cannot? It’s all in the look. In classic LARPing people don suits of armor, swords, shields, and bows to portray soldiers of a different era. The airsoft community cosplays as modern warfighters (sometimes specific eras such as Vietnam), and at the very least, the weaponry resembles actual firearms. Paintball does not share this quality as the equipment is unique to the activity. Paintballers never wear anything resembling the military. My personal airsoft attire is not military either, however, I do go for a general insurgent-type look. That is simply because I feel weird dressing as military personnel having never served.

While airsoft is not the first thing people associate with LARPing, it fits the bill. It simulates fighting your way to victory through strategy and teamwork (with a welcome lunch break). More importantly, it is a way for you and your friends to get out and have some fun.