Writing Freeform Larps

Freeform larps are interactive roleplaying games involving anywhere from six to as many as eighty players, all with detailed character backgrounds.

Writing Freeform Larps is a 154-page book outlining a structured process for writing freeform larps, covering the initial concept through to running the game. Topics covered include writing plots and characters, character sheets, and rules and mechanics.

In  pdf and epub format.

Contents

• Introduction: A short explanation of freeform larps and why I wrote the book.
• The process: The ten-step process I use to write my freeform larps.
• Character sheets: A detailed look at freeform character sheets.
• Structure and events: How I structure my freeforms, from game start through to wrap.
• Plots: My four-step process for planning and writing plots.
• Characters: What makes a good freeform character?
•  Rules and mechanics: A discussion of freeform larp mechanics, including combat, romance, contingencies, crime and punishment, abilities—and more.
•  Running freeform larps: My approach to running a freeform larp.
• Appendix A: Freeforms: Details of the freeforms mentioned in the text, along with links.
• Appendix B: Abilities: Example abilities from several freeforms.
• Appendix C: Other freeform styles: A discussion of other freeform styles, including horde games, workshop games and faction games.
• Appendix D: Where to find more: Links to other resources.

The freeform writing process

This is a brief summary of my writing process (discussed in more detail in chapter 2):

1.  Concept and constraints: Ideas and setting boundaries.
2.  Themes: What is the game about?
3.  Character types: In broad-brush terms, who are the characters?
4.  Outline characters: Characters in more detail – their public and private faces.
5.  Character sheet layout: What the character sheet will look like.
6.  Structure: Determining the freeform’s structure.
7.  Plots: Writing plots – the heart of the process.
8.  Rules and mechanics: Deciding on rules and mechanics.
9. Background: Writing the game background.
10.  Finishing off: Getting it finished and ready to run.

(In reality, I hop between sections as the muse takes me. But the overall flow follows this process.)

About the author: Steve Hatherley has been playing and writing freeform larps for thirty years. He has written many freeform larps in different genres for different numbers of players – from six players to more than sixty. As one half of Freeform Games, Steve brings freeform-style larps to a broader audience by disguising them as murder mystery games.