Gen Con {SoCal 2005}

By Rick McCoy {November 2005}

I didn't get to see much of GenCon this year. Most of this was due to the fact of how much information I was exposed to and the people I was able to talk with about LARP and the future while I was there.

Highlights

EDHELLEN

I managed to sit a bit with Greg Larson of Edhellen Armory, and found out much that I will list out briefly...

1) Forgotten Dream Designs Studios (in which Edhellen is a distributor) has lowered their prices significantly, are are now molding weapons with various stiffness, including ones that are strong enough and weighted to be used in SCA style combat, and a "children's" version  (from a German standpoint) in which the foam is the softest I've personally felt on a weapon (next to Dale's foam up at AU). The downside to that is that it's still latex covered, so some LC LARPs may not pass based on that one fact alone.

2) The current aim of the company is to be something akin to LRPStore.com, supplying the American LARPer with everything they need (including clothing and armor) to participate in a LARP event. The company has many contacts overseas, and is pushing to have a high-production, but affordable line of products for LARP use.

3) Edhellen makes money as a distributor. They do have their own line of boffer swords, and make a few things like leather armor themselves, but the overall theme of the company is to act as a distributor. Anyone that could make LARP oriented gear or supplies could find a business prospect with them. They view other weapon builders like Iron Liege as potential business partners, and not competition.

ANACHRONISM

A successful card-game company, Anachronism, has branched off and partnered with Edhellen Armory and the History Channel for a new venture.

1) It is essentially a sword-fighting guild, using boffer weapons and shields, under a tournament style rule set. They have four distinct categories of ranks, in which proficient participants are "graduated" into, after showing sufficient skill as well as restraint and sportsmanship. The highest rank involves actual shield bashes and full contact holds.

2) This combat training does, in essence, train people to be able to fight in Live Combat LARP events.

3) They are seeking to become an established entity in most schools, and the main focus of it is to bring back swordsmanship (fencing) back into the curriculum of today's youth. They also are planning to launch overseas, with a contact in France, under the same ideology (being run in schools).

4) Unfortunately (or fortunately), I was asked to sign up for the first Tourney, and won it. It really wasn't fair, and I feel a little badly about it, but maybe it might generate some interest in the hobby here in SoCal. They took my picture (I was in some minor garb, T'sarith's costume sans the face and helm) and plan to use it during their promotion of their training enterprise.

NERO

I ended up spending at least four hours with Joe Valenti, the President of NERO International. We both were busy during the midst of the day, so most of our time was spent at dinner and afterwards. I could list many of the things he is working on, but the main ones still stand. I did find out some particular information that I feel would be important for others to know...

In the case of footage of the LARPies being used by NERO Int., Joe said that he would be willing to write something up to grant a small royalty fee for content that was used to promote the LARPies and other up and coming projects that Joe and many of his partners are working on. I know that Mat had expressed concerns about this.

He has many, many, many projects he has his hands into. We could have easily talked into most of the next day. Most of them are designed to make money, but there are a ton that exist simply to promote the hobby. He plans to create a Core Effects system to allow other LARP owners to create a game system independent of a national rule set, but still be on the same page in regards to terminology and use (like nTeraction and MASI), which is quite different from his old take on new LARPs that sought to be under the NERO umbrella. He also wants to be able to offer independent LARPs his insurance coverage as well.

His alliances/business partnerships are starting to bear fruit, and the media is now starting to notice. The Tonight Show interviewed Greg Larson of Edhellen. The Today Show interviewed the IFGS on Friday. Joe's Hollywood promoter also showed up, and was taken on a tour of GenCon and shown the different LARP events that were being put on (including the Gamer Olympics - an obstacle course very LARP based, sponsored by Edhellen). I was introduced to him as well, and he has me listed as a possible Californian contact via Joe.

Joe also let me know that he was contacted on Friday by two individuals looking to make a European-style uber LARP here in SoCal. I actually know one of them, Lex (who I believe is originally from Britain and has a lot of experience in those types of events). I will be contact with them by the end of the week to see what they are up to.

Wrap up...

Bernard was able to show up, and interviewed many people (including Greg Larson of Edhellen Armory and Chris Vrem of the IFGS) for some articles he plans to submit to the French LARP Federation ( http://www.fedegn.org/ ). I also sat down with him for a few hours and found out much about the "Europa" style of playing. Later that evening sitting with Joe Valenti at dinner, I was able to hear more about ConQuest IV and the grand adventure that the Americans had with the international LARPers that were in Germany for that event (Joe and the NERO players were stationed with the Italians, the Order of Solis).

We missed True Dungeon, but were able to traipse through the open Tavern quickly (which would be a great place to hold a revel, Mark!)...I can see next year with a host of LARPers from all over the place congregating on this location to meet up and hang out. I also missed out on helping the IFGS with their demo, but I was overwhelmed and out of time. I am glad they got their interview with the media.

LARP Alliance exists to support the hobby here in California. While we may never be able to offer direct help with other States, the network of support and structure of resources that we intend to provide will be able to help most LC LARPs here in the US. GenCon this year, primarily through the efforts of Joe Valenti and his business partners, has brought a new focus onto our hobby. I seriously urge all LARP owners/operators (this includes our northern brethren) to get on board for a solidified LARP Alliance booth at GenCon next year. We need to promote each LARP and make sure that the public is aware that they exist (and are accessible). We (DreamForge Productions) are working on a reverse strategy at the moment, that will enable us to run events for other LARPs (rather than the traditional forming a seperate Chapter or running your own Independent), as well as Xatrian Crux and a related project, a LARP Album.

To give you a direct number to deal with...Edhellen Armory sold over six hundred weapons at the Con. There was NEVER a part of the day when I didn't look up and see some teen with a Boffer sword in his hand. I could say that at least 50% of these people were Californian. That's 300 people now, after a single weekend gaming convention, that are potential LARPers (many of them played in the sword-fighting area that Joe bought in the midst of the dealer's room, and then fought each other in the Tourneys that Anachronism ran on Saturday, or went through the Gamer's Olympics and fought there), just waiting to be invited or learn about a game in their area.

This year has seen a tremendous growth of LARP in SoCal, with Dark Ages and Eidolon launching, and the upcoming LARPie awards here in LA. ... We need to get everything in place to be able to reap the rewards of this new focus on our hobby.

And we need to do it NOW. April is not that far off, and Joe has said if the awards are successful, he might fly us out to GenCon Indy, (three times as large as the one here in SoCal). That will give approximately four different venues that could host information about your individual LARP (the LARPies, ConQuest America, GenCon Indy, and GenCon SoCal) within a year's span. The stronger we grow a player base and NPC base for all of California, the better our games (and scheduling with the money coming in) will be.

The Time is Now.

Rick McCoy
LARP Alliance, DreamForge Productions