h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I think of the LT a lot more like Microsoft of LARP. McDonalds implies cheap, childish and bad for you. LT is prehaps a lot more money orientated, monopolising and something Linex and Mac style fans can bash at every oppotunity.

That reminds me better get packing for Moot 1...

I'll stick with McDonald's... it fits in more with all the jubs I keep seeing in LT photos.

Jubs?

Jubs = Jubbly T**ts = people who wear modern clothing under their armour and carry weapons that are far too big for them.

Its rare, but it does happen, but then if you are going to get 3000 to 4000 players together the quality of kit is going to range from very good to very bad.

Equally I do sympathise with "Jubs". I get the impression a lot of them are people just getting into the hobby and can't afford a lot of kit. I believe only a very few of them don't care about the impact on everyone else's experience and would get a lot better costume if they could afford it. Frankly its the same snobbishness I've seen in every other hobby like this I've been involved in, towards people who are new, or towards systems or companies that do cater for a wider audience beyond small niche groups or the old "beardies".

Of course people with weapons to big for them are a different matter, also if they can't use them safely or particulary "wippy" polearms which bend around shields. If someone's lack of common sense or lack of spirit of the game are a problem, then the organisers should deal with them.

Don't get me wrong I wish everyone wore great kit, roleplayed fantastically, fought well and safely and tried to make it fun for everyone else. The hobby is what you make of it and if you spend your time worrying about what others do you're going to ruin your own experience.

Keep calling it the McDonalds of the LARP world if you like, I'm not saying the LT is a model organisation or runs the best events in the world. I'm not celebrating mediocrity, but calling the LT that based on some photos you seen is plain unfair. If it was that bone it wouldn't be by far the biggest and most popular system in this country.

No, referencing the pictures of the jubs was only my justification for keeping the McDonald's comparison as it is. The reasons behind having it in the Entry in the first place is simply because that's what a lot of people I know say about LT.

As for the 'new people can't afford kit' excuse, it's just that: an excuse. When I first started the hobby my entire kit budget went on a sword and hat... everything else I either made from scratch or converted from modern items. It's not difficult to make a tunic from an old shirt, or a baldric from a couple of belts... and even if someone's useless at sewing chances are they know someone who isn't.

I'm not making excuses, I know the difference between excuses and reasons. I think you are being unfair to new people who possibly have little background in hobbies like this. Its not entirely a matter of money, its also a matter of circumstance and experience.

For the record, before my first event I spent ages trying to find costume and travelled all over the place trying to find some. Eventually I spent a small fortune getting all my basic kit together and have never worn anything out of place, ever.

There are lots of disgruntled people who have tried the LT and in the last 12 or 13 or so years they can't possibly of kept everyone happy. I work in customer service, there is an expression "do something great and the customer may tell one other person, do something bad and they will gripe to ten others."

I've heard many bad things about CP, but then I've never been, so I'm not going to sit there slagging it off.

Yeah well, finding something that will pass muster until such times as better kit is available isn't rocket science is it?

Heavy-weight trousers or non-blue jeans with no visible logos or stitching.
Black or brown boots with no visible logos.
Plain long-sleeved top with no visible logos or labels.

That's all it takes, so why do I keep seeing (both in photos and in real life) people wearing blue jeans and trainers, or t-shirts with logos, or New Rocks, or mesh tops... and this isn't just new people either, it's experienced LRPers and even re-enactors.

And before any accusations of costume fascism start being thrown: I'm perfectly happy for people to wear tracksuit bottoms instead of proper hosen, or DMs instead of proper Medieval boots... I'm just a great advocate of make do with what you've got, *then* go out and buy all the snackies, that's what I did with no background in LRP whatsoever. All it takes is a willingness to make an effort.

I think on those accounts its just common sense really. Often a rare gift.

Just out of curiousity what specifically bad things have you heard about the LT?

Also what system(s) do you play?

Bad Things What I Have Heard About The LT:
* Presence of far too many Jubs.
* Far too much concern with being PC (e.g. banning of things which at other games wouldn't cause so much as a raised eyebrow).
* Too much getting drunk and not enough roleplaying.
* It's a cynical money-making machine.
* People using the events as a means of getting laid as much as possible.
* Idiocy from both players and Refs.

Systems What I Play:
Shards (http://www.shardslrp.com) - Main character: Skullsplitter McUen
Crimson Requiem (http://www.chimeraleisure.com/crimson) - Crew.

As of next month I'll also be playing Belgariad, and next year I intend on trying out Maelstrom and/or Fools & Heroes.

* Presence of far too many Jubs.

Not true at all. Its rare that I spot anyone playing sporting blatently out of place kit. I find it more annoying where people dress as something truely strange and I have no idea what they are!

* Far too much concern with being PC (e.g. banning of things which at other games wouldn't cause so much as a raised eyebrow).

Aye, the whole "family event" thing does get annoying at major events. But it depends. I know people who do bring kids along, if they couldn't they couldn't come and the kids really, really enjoy it. Its not problem at minor events which are much more like other systems for size and content and only tend to attract the more dedicated hobbyists.

You can be ruthless and politically incorrect all you want, as long as its not "modern" and not infront of kids.

* Too much getting drunk and not enough roleplaying.

Prehaps. You are talking about mostly twenty, thirty and forty something adults not kiddies on cidar. You are also tarring thousands of hobbiests with the same brush. There is plenty of roleplaying. You don't realise how much there is until you "time out" and everyone starts acting and talking normal. I find drinking and sugar helps me roleplay, playing a chaotic character in a viking society and all.

* It's a cynical money-making machine.

Well its not cynical, but it no doubt makes Andy King mounds of money. Its why I surgested the Microsoft analogy. Does mean good facilities and money to invest in lots of props, costume and sets.

* People using the events as a means of getting laid as much as possible.

Thats absolutely not true. The odd person may get their leg over, but like I said thousands of people together and all...

Most people seem to be married or in long term relationships.

* Idiocy from both players and Refs.

Happens sometimes, but probably no more than any other system.

Systems What I Play:
Shards (http://www.shardslrp.com) - Main character: Skullsplitter McUen
Crimson Requiem (http://www.chimeraleisure.com/crimson) - Crew.

Not heard of these systems I'll check out the websites when I get access to anything more than bbc.co.uk.

As of next month I'll also be playing Belgariad, and next year I intend on trying out Maelstrom and/or Fools & Heroes.

I know people who play either Maelstrom or Fools & Heros. Both sound interesting particulary Maelstrom, but then Pirates are cool.

Without attending an LT event with a clear mind you can't really critize it on another persons say so. Have you been told any of the good things about the system? Have you met any current players? Can you imagine the Gathering Battle?

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No, but them I was a Pagganaut so that explains a lot.

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Yes, and I got the impression from their tales of LT (and other systems) that they're all munchkins.

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Probably... I must admit that the 'massive ruck' part of the Gathering is attractive as I love combat.


Oh yes, I've just remembered another reason not to like the LT: whenever there's a Shards or Crim Req event at Candleston the weekend after the LT have been there those of us who arrive early often get roped into helping the warden (maySteverestinpeace) clear up the last of the destruction they left in their wake.

Like I said the LT is a huge and there so many different groups, factions personalities. Some are good, some are bad. Just saying 'LT' is misleading. I've personally litter picked, mopped loos and cleared sites at most small events I've been to because my Faction has a good rep and wount leave a mess.