LARPing around town

It wasn’t marauding and pillaging on the front lawn of the Prince Rupert Court House during the afternoon on July 17 with swords and battle axes, but it was mighty warriors LARPing about in summer-time activities.More than fifteen youth participated in the afternoon camp activity put on by Good Time Games.

Store owner, Rob Gruber said usually they have more than 65 participants. Respecting the COVID-19 health and social distancing protocols, activities are limited this year to only 18 participants, which include camp leaders and staff. Kids can join to play the board or card games and then have fun getting outside sword fighting to burn off some energy. The program runs for kids starting at age five and are held at various times of the day and week.

LARP - live action role play, is the participation in fictional fantasy games where players dress or take on the role of a character while reaching goals in the quest like games. LARP games can range in size from being a few hours in length with friends or take several day with thousands of people.

LARPs surged and became internationally popular in the 1980s, after they were first inspired by genre fiction in the 1970s.

Costumes can be as elaborate or as understated as a player is comfortable in, and can vary greatly from realistic to historical to steampunk and futuristic styles.

Gruber said most kids who participate bring their own gear, but some can be supplied. For safety purposes the swords are a made of a fibreglass core with foam latex forming the sword shaft. Gruber said the swords are ‘super safe and very durable’.

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The Prince Rupert business which is in it’s 13th year, has been recognized globally by the Games and Manufacturing Association (GAMA) for excellence in organized game play. Last year the store was up against 21 other businesses from around the world for the prestigious recognition of ‘Outstanding Organized Play”.

“In 2019, they recognized our Swords of Sorcery and Heroes of Hawthorne programs as the most outstanding organized play in the world - globally. We got the award, which is huge,” Gruber said.

Winning the award was a feat of accomplishment, Gruber said. Never before had a store from a population of less than 100,000 been nominated for the award, so to win and have gaming stores from all over the word know of us in Prince Rupert was amazing, he said.

“It blew my mind. I’m not one to be short of words, but when I went up to accept the award I was speechless,” Gruber who went to Reno, Nevada to accept the award, said.

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