Hmmm... Idea.

[the_eggwhite]

If I was to run a LARP that I think would benefit from having a bit of an upfront props budget, what would people think of the idea of having a £10 "buy in" or something. Basically, £10 gets you into the campaign, and then the cost on the day for each game is just for hiring the venue?

In the example I'm thinking of (one of my cyberpunky ideas), this would get together enough funds to buy a bunch of props for game-appropriate firearms and tech for those that need it. The idea would be that these could then go into a communal pool of LARP props and could carry over from game to game. It might even be worth looking at starting some form of organised "LARP club" to keep track of that kind of stuff, with one person in that club keeping a couple of crates or stuff in their shed or garage (I've already got a trunk full of bits and bobs in our shed and a huge crate in the cupboard under the stairs).

Thoughts?

Comments

[davedevil.livejournal.com]

Thats what we do for star wars take in money when we need it and keep it for props and set dressing. More money may be nice but you do have t battle against the idea that unluess its big event LRP it should be cheap.

[eggwhite.livejournal.com]

Indeed - that's why I was thinking of a one-off "buy in" rather than asking for funds everynow and then. But then, I like limited run games, so things I run probably wouldn't need top ups to keep things ticking over as much.

[davedevil.livejournal.com]

we've made it clear for star warsa that the kit is the players as well. When the game finishes we plan to give it all back via a raffle :)

[cream-horn.livejournal.com]

I don't see a problem with that.

[lawrencegillies.livejournal.com]

There are ,however, gamers of limited means...

[eggwhite.livejournal.com]

Indeed. However, games cost money to run and to equip for. The amount of printintg we do each game costs money, and if a game needs props or NPC kit, they have to be funded as well. If a game is only going to work by having a bit of money spent on it, then the money has to come from somewhere. STs should not be expected to foot the bill.

There's only so much you can do when the money you get in from a £3 a session game barely covers venue costs and printing - sometimes not even that. Having a £10 buy in would mean that you get a game that can do a bit more to provide atmosphere - for example, if Dark Ages had a £10 buy in then we'd have something like a £200 - £300 kitty to spend on props. I could use a bit of that to buy the following:
1) A more practical crate for shifting my NPC kit & props around
2) Components to build imitation candles. I'm guessing they'd work out at about a fiver a pop, but I'm far from sure. About 20 would probably be enough to dimly light the main table and the prince's chamber - probably enough to see by.
3) Venue dressing materials. No more medieval courts with obviously modern folding tables - get them covered over with something and put a few props on them to make them more interesting.
4) The next year or so's supply of paper and printer toner / ink.

Whilst I can sympathise with having limited funds, it only goes so far. There is a point at which you have to decide you can't afford something and so not do it. It's not down to the people running games to cripple it so you can afford to play.

Of course, if somebody was to pay for you off their own bat, that's cool.

[susiejazz.livejournal.com]

I have a friend who runs a LARP on this side of the pond if you'd like to do some comparisons, her web site is http://www.nocturnelarp.com/ and your welocme to say Susie sent you!

[eggwhite.livejournal.com]

Heh - I've heard of them! I can't remember why or in what context, but I've heard of them. Probably from some LARP board or another.