I love the "RP" in LARP. It's what really gives the game life to me. Fighting is fun, and I enjoy it and certainly consider it one of the most important parts of the game, but role play has a certain magic to it that really sets LARP apart from just sparring or fencing.
I was talking with someone recently, and they mentioned that they overheard someone describing our system of LARP to a friend, trying to convince them to join. While I'm not sure what the actual conversation entailed, what I gleaned from this discussion was that the person explaining the system described it as "really combat heavy, you don't have to role play if you don't want to." This, I feel, is something that has been going on in our game for some time now, and as far as I am concerned, is one of the worst things that could possibly happen.
Don't get me wrong, as stated previously, I like fighting. I would consider myself a competent combatant, compared to the rest of the people I see in our game, and I fight quite frequently. The problems that I see (which may not actually be viewed as "problems" to those who are part of them) are in about three separate categories:
1. Garb.
2. Respect for those that are trying to be immersed.
3. Disregard for role play.
I don't like preaching, and I am targeting no one in particular. I would, however, like to point these things out.
Firstly, garb is an excellent way to make your character stand out, and make you feel more a part of the game in whatever capacity you choose. At best, garb can help you and others around you feel more immersed and like they are talking to someone who could be a baron, king or beggar. Garb is an outward expression of who you are playing as, and a sign of your dedication to that role. Its also highly dazzling to new players. I remember when I first started playing, I saw players wearing doublets and cloaks and all manner of fancy clothing. I was amazed and astounded at how much detail players would put into their outfits, and how much that would change my perception of them from event to event.
More in recent years, I've seen a multitude of players (up to half of an event attendance) dressing in gym shorts, skate shoes and t shirts with a Volcom or Burton logo emblazoned across them. The only pieces of "garb" these players are wearing are usually their armor, maybe wrap pants, maybe. As a player that takes the role play aspect of our game seriously in terms of it being one of the most fun parts of the game, it's frustrating to be confronted with someone who looks like they are going to the gym rather than camping out at a medieval tournament. It takes you out of the game and makes it just a bunch of people with plumbing supplies calling "magic missile." As a LARPER, I feel it is required to dress the part, otherwise its just regular folks fencing.
Secondly, in terms of respecting those that want to be immersed, I feel that the Omnibus covers it quite nicely: "Once an event has begun, you are expected to be 'in-character,' or IC, at all times. This means that you are playing your PC the whole time you are at an event. Staying IC can add greatly not only to your own event experience, but to those who are playing the game around you." And there you have it, straight from the Omnibus. This is one of the first things new players read, as it is so close to the beginning of the book, only supporting its importance. Sure, sometimes you want to catch up with an old friend, or ask if there's a good place for pizza nearby, and that's fine, but at least try to keep it out of main areas where lots of players are role playing.
I've actually seen some players making fun of other players for role playing. This, in my opinion, should get a player kicked from an event. This is a Live Action Role Playing game, Role Playing is half of that name. Theatrics and role playing should never be shunned, and should always be supported. Role playing is the reason many players decide to play at all, and sometimes leave because they get teased for it.
Sometimes, certain groups will designate an area as "always IC." Given the previous Omnibus quote, this should seem rather redundant, but unfortunately is sometimes necessary. Despite having these designations, other players frequently ignore the requests and remain out of character, usually ruining the mood. What it comes down to is a simple lack of respect, and that's just downright rude.
The third point sort of bleeds into the second, but stands to have its own section. There are some players in this game who just don't role play at all. They come for the combat and\or partying and don't engage in role play in any way. Sometimes, they will even request not to be talked to in character at all. While I can respect the desire to fight, but not role play, dude, you're in a freaking role playing game. If you want to fight, but don't want to role play, join the SCA or a fencing group or something. You could even go to fight practice or organize your own tournaments. Or, if you still want to play this game, just play a character that doesn't talk or talks infrequently. Whatever you do, don't stay out of character all the time, this can be incredibly distracting for those looking for immersion.
In conclusion, I feel that role play in this role playing game really needs to make a comeback. Like I said, I'm not targeting anyone in particular, I'm not trying to preach. I'm a concerned player noticing a degradation of a large part of a game I really love. You don't have to share my sentiments, or even agree with me, just please have respect for those that want role play and immersion. After all, you can't spell LARP without RP! Buh-dum-tss.