Larps offer a unique space for discovery, role-playing, and the forging of new relationships across age groups and levels of experience. For many young participants, it’s their first opportunity to go somewhere on their own, meet kindred spirits, and experience something truly extraordinary. But this openness and diversity also come with challenges—particularly around how to create a safe and supportive environment for those who are new to the community and unfamiliar with its norms.

We aim to share a perspective on how the larp environment can be cultivated to remain open and inspiring, while also being sensitive to the needs of vulnerable participants.

Through various experiences and interviews, we have become aware of troubling or even deeply hurtful incidents involving inexperienced participants. Some individuals intentionally seek out newcomers because they are more trusting, less experienced, and more easily influenced. There are also many situations where someone wanted to appear mature or didn’t feel empowered to say “no,” simply because they didn’t realize they had the right to do so—only to end up in situations that had a lasting negative impact.

At the same time, it’s often the case that many adult participants don’t find it natural or appealing to befriend much younger players. As a result, newcomers can find themselves on the fringes of social groups. In such situations, they may cling to „friendly elders„ who offer support and guidance in navigating the community—sometimes in exchange for attention or favors.

All of this has led to an ongoing discussion about how, and to what extent, the larp community can be made safer for its more vulnerable members. It’s not easy to strike a balance between the positive aspects of larp—such as exploration, intense experiences, and cross-generational friendships—and the need to protect those who are still learning to understand boundaries.

It’s also difficult to find the right approach to treating younger participants as respected, full members of the community while also shielding them from people who may take advantage of them—whether deliberately or simply due to a lack of awareness that a sixteen-year-old deserves a different kind of attention than someone ten years older.

Based on the experiences and ideas collected, several suggestions and mechanisms have emerged that could help improve safety and well-being for newcomers and vulnerable individuals as they integrate into the community. These are always voluntary initiatives—not mandatory—but they have the potential to make a meaningful difference.

Setting social acceptability

Perhaps this is the hardest thing—and yet it’s something anyone can do.

A larp community is not an institution; it has no central authority or universal tools to systematically address every issue that might arise. Yet like any social environment, it can be cultivated—through shared norms, clear rules, open communication, and a willingness to prevent or thoughtfully resolve sensitive situations.

Of course, the primary responsibility for underage participants lies with their legal guardians. They should inform their children about potential risks and provide them with strategies for navigating difficult situations. At the same time, the community itself—through the information it shares and the accessibility it provides—can help ease tensions and prevent potential conflicts.

At events, it is usually the organizers who define the basic framework and expectations around behavior. But general rules like “be nice” or “act appropriately” are often not enough—especially when it comes to sensitive topics. It’s worth taking the time to think through these aspects and set clear expectations in advance.

The goal is not to treat vulnerable participants as people who need constant supervision, but to actively shape an environment that acknowledges their vulnerability and minimizes opportunities for it to be exploited. Sometimes, even small measures can have a significant impact—for example, simply informing attendees that minors are present and that it’s appropriate to adjust one’s behavior accordingly. Clearly identifying contact persons who can be approached if needed can also be very helpful.

It’s also useful to provide relevant information to all participants—not just those who might be directly affected. For instance, offering guidance on how to respond if they witness inappropriate behavior. Often, even a simple statement like “keep in mind that in-game relationships may not reflect out-of-game consent or dynamics” can prevent misunderstandings or discomfort.

In general, it’s helpful to promote an attitude that recognizes power differences—whether based on age, experience, or social standing within the community—and encourages using that power not for personal gain, but to foster a safer, more inclusive environment. Ideally, one built on mutual respect, integration, and shared understanding.

Events only for newcomers; game design with them in mind

Vulnerable individuals in the community are often newcomers. Designing games specifically with them in mind can be an effective way to support them. This might take the form of a dedicated group announced in advance, or a clearly defined section within a larger larp, led by an authorized organizer who can guide participants through the game experience. In our region, this role is often filled by battle events or larp camps that offer such support.

However, there is a potential risk of these setups creating a false sense of security. Age is often a consistent factor among more vulnerable players, and girls are statistically more likely to be targeted than boys. While newcomer-friendly events hold great potential to teach new players how to enjoy the hobby and narrow the gap between them and older, more experienced members (who may hold positions of power), they rarely prepare them for situations involving risk, conflict, or socially inappropriate behavior within the broader community. These events can help instill a healthy mindset and support integration—but only if the organizers are aware of these dynamics and actively engage with them.

It’s also possible to support newcomers at events that don’t have such built-in structures. But it’s important to recognize that inexperienced players may still encounter bleed, blues, or strong emotions—and may need help processing these experiences. This should be taken into account during game design and communication: event organizers can prepare content with newcomers in mind, communicate any potentially intense themes in advance, provide contact information for trusted support persons, and respect the newcomers’ boundaries and privacy.

Organizers can also empower newcomers by offering them opportunities to take on small responsibilities. Inviting them to help with preparations, participate in the event organization, or be included in behind-the-scenes conversations lowers the barrier to deeper involvement. It can also foster a sense of agency and confidence, especially if newcomers are encouraged to connect with others at a similar level of experience and are given opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow within the community.

Working with newcomers — specific examples

Personal initiative and community-driven efforts can also play a key role in making integration easier for newcomers. Here are a few suggestions that can help foster inclusion and care within the larp environment:

Buddy system

This is a system of informal guides—people willing to support newcomers, help them make friends, and serve as a kind of social bridge into the community. Organizers can support this from the top down by identifying and marking volunteers who want to help first-time players—for example, by giving them colored ribbons, with the meaning clearly communicated in advance (e.g. “people wearing a yellow ribbon are happy to help and guide new players”).

Organizers can also gather information in advance about who is willing to offer help and who may want support, using well-crafted questions in registration forms or pre-event surveys.

However, buddy systems can also emerge organically from the bottom up. A simple intention—“I’ll try not to leave vulnerable people out, and I’ll give them a bit of attention when I can”—can go a long way and should be encouraged. These kinds of informal support networks also help people stay more alert in potentially risky situations, such as when alcohol is present or when minors are involved. Community growth and cohesion often depend on this kind of care and attention. It’s therefore valuable to highlight, acknowledge, and appreciate such initiatives publicly.

Sharing

Sharing refers to the opportunity to reflect and exchange experiences after a larp—not as formal feedback about the game, but as a way to process emotions and connect with others. It should always be a voluntary activity conducted in a safe, respectful space with clear communication guidelines between participants.

Of course, sharing also comes with challenges. It requires a team on-site, including a facilitator skilled in guiding discussions and a contact person specifically for minors. Organizers must recognize the presence of more vulnerable participants and be intentional in how they support them. This includes setting aside time and space for sharing and investing in communication ahead of the event—making it clear to participants that they are being thought of, that a sharing opportunity exists, and presenting it as an option rather than an obligation.

It’s equally important that these initiatives avoid creating the impression of separation or patronizing attitudes. Participants should not feel excluded from the wider community.

Depending on the format of the event, a safe space like this can also be available throughout the game—run more informally, but with the same spirit of openness and care.

Other support structures

These are initiatives—primarily led by organizers—that aim to support newcomers or more vulnerable players. Examples include:

• Creating accessible, beginner-friendly informational materials, including clear explanations of safety mechanics, community norms, how to handle inappropriate behavior, and de-tabooing sensitive topics by naming them directly and constructively.
• Introducing contact persons, so players know who they can turn to if they need help.
• Offering optional activities where newer participants can meet peers (such as sharing sessions or side quests designed for newcomers).
• Giving players the chance to connect online before the event, which can ease the anxiety of “not knowing anyone.”
• Actively inviting and encouraging newcomers to join in community life beyond the game, such as through forums or social media groups.
• Sharing resources and reading materials outside of the main event page—like articles, guides, or blog posts.
• Creating special in-game plots designed for newcomers (when this is communicated in advance), or incorporating the buddy system directly into the story structure.

Organizers should also keep track of how many newcomers or minors are attending and ensure there’s a clear way to contact responsible representatives in case of an emergency. It’s also helpful to inform other participants that minors will be present (without naming them individually), and ask everyone to adjust their behavior accordingly. Ideally, this kind of considerate conduct would be a norm across the entire community.

Last but not least, organizers have every right to refuse participation to individuals with a history of unacceptable or threatening behavior.ho have been recorded in the past as having unacceptable, threatening behavior into their game.

This text is the result of collaboration and extensive discussion among many contributors.

Tento příspěvek byl publikován dne 23. 6. 2025 (Pondělí) v 13.19 v rubrice English articles, Praxe, Teorie, Z domova. Komentáře můžete sledovat přes RSS 2.0 kanál. Můžete zanechat komentář nebo trackback z vašeho webu.