What is a digital larp?

Digital larp, or live action online game (laog) is an online roleplaying experience. It’s just like live action roleplaying, but done behind the computer, usually with video and chat. Just like larp, the interactions in the experience can evoke emotion, bleed (the transfer of emotion from player to character or vice versa), immersion, and empathy.

Sometimes, digital larp is diegetic — that is, the computer itself is part of the game. For example, in my “First Bite, Second Birth” game, new vampires open computers to find that they’ve been put in touch with other new vampires. This makes the computer communication (and real life communication quirks) part of the game experience itself.

In other instances, like in “Dealmakers and Dreamers,” participants are in a shared space. In this example, we are in the dream world together as our characters. A guided meditation can help players realistically envision feeling like their characters are in such a place. “Sanctuary Avalon” works similarly.

For more information about digital larps, accessibility, and how magic works on the silicon screen, see “The Magic of the Silicon Screen,” an academic article authored by Rei England and myself.

Over the years, I’ve streamed larps, run fun birthday larps, and have done private, emotional experiences for groups of friends in this format. Whatever you’re going for, the best way to truly understand the impact of digital larp is to experience it.

Please explore our offerings and consider buying a session for you and your friends today.

Larpers participating in Sanctuary Avalon

Image by Jakub Zerdzicki, Pexels.

Image by Anna Tarazevich, Pexels.

What should you expect in a digital larp?

  • You can order a pre-made digital larp (with new or custom characters—prices vary) and I will contact you to schedule the larp session. The listed price is the price for the whole session — up to 8 players including yourself, unless otherwise indicated. Only debut games will feature individual ticket sales.

  • You order the larp for your group (payment plans available). You will need to orchestrate a day and time for the larp with your group and supply me with their emails for character creation or assignment. The preparation for the larp depends upon which experience you select.

  • Our Zoom experience will start with introduction, safety, and content topics. We’ll then move into gameplay, with breaks as needed for health and safety. At the end of the larp, there’s an optional debrief.

  • I do my best to make every larp space safe and inclusive for my participants. I’m not perfect, nor am I a therapist, but we should all approach the game space and experience in good faith to foster trust.

  • I’m very open to feedback and your participation in future games. I even offer a custom game design option. Let’s keep creating stories together.

Digital Larp Live Play Example: Trailer

Chariot Larp trailer and a general look at what a digital larp is like in play.