Comments on: Review of Avalon LARP

By: Stephen

Stephen — Mon, 01 May 2006 17:05:00 +0000

Just to clarify, Michael, this review is not intended to be a complete review of “what Avalon is and is not.” Rather, it is intended as one player’s first impressions. I apologize if you feel that my opinions are somehow invalid because of this, but I made no illusions that my experience with Avalon was comprehensive or, for that matter, typical. Much like a critic in any other medium, I have taken a portioned sampling and provided my feedback. These are opinions, not facts, to be heeded or disregarded as the reader sees fit.

By: Michael Weigle / Emrys

Michael Weigle / Emrys — Mon, 01 May 2006 06:31:29 +0000

Will, please do not spread rumors that are unfounded and false. Avalon 1.0 was founded based on NERO combat rules, simply because nothing else was known. Over the past several years we’ve grown into a unique system that we firmly command as ours.

One possible explanation for the secrecy is that quite a few of the “underground” LARPs without much of funding or a playerbase seek to borrow other LARPs ideas, which is a very big infringement on both legal and intellectual copyright.

It is not fair for you, in any case, to write a review of a LARP after a single event. It simply is not possible to come into your full realization of what Avalon is and is not until you are completely immersed into the world. It’s for this reason that character histories are reccommended to be submitted only AFTER the third event.

Also, keep in mind that this is but a single chapter of Avalon. There’s one in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Each has their own distinct flavor, and you cannot possibly lump them all into a single review.

By: Jimmy J. an Avalon NPC

Jimmy J. an Avalon NPC — Mon, 01 May 2006 04:01:39 +0000

A very nice review. Its nice to hear the opinion of one from another LARP. We really do look forward to you continuing to play with us, and if not we hope that you’ll send other wayward LARPers our way.

However, Iâ€™d like to say a few things.

The system of our LARP is VERY complicated, I agree, but after playing for a short time, playersâ€™ slowly grasp the system and we ALWAYS take time to explain any effects or abilities to new players if they just ask.

I know you said you “hate” PvP. But in order to make a world realistic and keep it interesting, it must be an element. It encourages characters to make friends and work together. Also on the PvP note, if youâ€™re looking for a bit more action, I would suggest trying out one of our “One-Day” Warchylde Events that we hold in North Carolina and Virginia every month. These PvP events are team based combat, requiring; tactics, bravery and skill. They are the MOST action filled events I have been to besides our yearly convention PvP event called Dark Future.

As Will did say, there are MANY plot threads just waiting for players to latch onto, they are just up to you to find. We do pride ourselves in our role-playing, costumes, and scenery. In our eyes it is what makes the game come to life. Our game has an ever evolving story that is affected by every chapter and event. Alliances are made and broken, deciding the futures of kings and nations, and EVERY player has the power to make the decision of what happens.

I can not speak for all of Avalon’s community, but I believe I do speak for most in saying that your review is very kind to us. We hope that you will return and encourage others to come our way.

Thank you for sharing the Avalon Experience,
Jimmy J.

By: Will aka Matthias

Will aka Matthias — Mon, 01 May 2006 00:43:04 +0000

Not a bad reviwew. My first event I wasn’t that impressed but the system does get easier as you go along.
Combat is a random thing, some events are combat heavy and some aren’t. Just how it goes.
I can tell you why the system is kept so closely guarded. There was an occurrence where another LARP company *coughs sounding like NERO* stole the entire system and based their system off of Avalon’s. In fact NERO’s current system is still the old Avalon system.
There is always room for improvement in any organization as to how its run. I’m in the Army, I know this for a fact.
As for action and adventure, the best advice I can give to you or anyone coming into game is to go looking for it. There are a million and one plot strands threaded through Verose, talk to the players gather information and then run with it. If you can come up with a crazy scheme go with it, maybe it’ll work. This coming from the guy who played a level one character that, along with two friends, murdered three players and set an entire town on its head, not to mention Game Staff.

I hope you will come back, it only gets better as the play goes on.
-Will aka Matthias