As LARP (live action role playing) gains in popularity, many potential LARPers or curious individuals observe that LARPing provides a great deal of fulfilment and entertainment for those who participate. 

If you're new, it can be intimidating to walk into a LARP--especially if you don't consider yourself a bona fide geek. So why should someone new to LARPing consider going?

"You can use your modern day problem solving skills in all the ways civilization says you can't while taking a vacation from your life for a couple [of] days," offers Seventh Kingdom IGE LARPer Wendy Day.

Seventh Kingdom IGE, a New Jersey-based 'interactive game environment,' offers players the opportunity to use or embellish their real-life skills for to achieve the goals of their characters, kingdoms or power groups. In real life, you couldn't solve a problem by killing someone and it's not always possible to charm them--but with available skills in LARP, these things are entirely possible.

This provides value for the LARPer who feels that his skills are not fully utilized at work, school or in real-life social relationships.

While I frequently utilize my degree in English for professional purposes, I rarely sing at weddings or social gatherings due to lack of time. While LARPing, however, I often use my hard-earned voice minor to entertain and buff others. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to use a skill that would otherwise remain dormant or out of practice.

LARPing is also an excellent way to create and maintain friendships.

"You get to go camping with friends, make new ones and play pretend like you always said you would, if only you could, as a little kid," elaborates Day. 

This suggests that people are able to 'be themselves' due to the ability to act out in imaginitive ways. 

"LARPing is a great way to learn and develop interpersonal communication skills, leadership, and build self esteem," says James Stewart of the Afterlife Role-playing Organization, a group that runs both fantasy and survival situation events.

If you have an interest in taking on a more prominent role but feel that there are few real-life opportunities to do so, LARP may be the perfect forum for you. While it could be costly and difficult to run for a political office in real life, for example, it may be an achievable goal for your character in a LARP setting.

"Its got something for everyone!" effuses 'Max,' an experienced New Jersey LARPer who has played in multiple LARP game systems. "Ever fight with sticks in the backyard? Ever read 'choose-your-own-adventure' books? Like to play dress up? Ever play the floor is lava? Ever tell ghost stories around a fire?"

Even if you're unaware of it, Max is right--everyone has LARPed before as a child by playing make-believe. LARP is a way of extending that imagination and ingenuity into the adult years while allowing teens and adults to play at professions or in battles they never thought possible--and all in safe environments.

LARP can be intimidating--there are rules and weapons requirements at most games--but these are in place to ensure player safety and to govern the rules of the environment and how players may legally interact. 

Most LARPs have forums and contact forms. If you're interested in LARPing, reach out to existing LARPers or a member of the LARP Alliance for help.

Disclosure: Tara M. Clapper is the Seventh Kingdom IGE Marketing Director and serves on the LARP Alliance Board of Directors.