Reflecting on My 2024 Larp Year

2024 has been an extraordinary year for my Larp experiences, filled with creativity, connection, and adventure. Here’s a look back at the highlights of this incredible journey:

January: Starting the Year with Game Design and Intrigue

• Time Dive Seminar: I kicked off the year with the Time Dive Seminar, a game design residency where teams from Budapest, Krakow, and Prague collaborated to create games inspired by these historic cities. After an intensive period of development and testing, these games are finally ready to be released. The collaborative energy and cultural exploration during this project were truly inspiring.

• Heirs of the Dragon: Later in January, I had the chance to play as Lord Lymond Mallister in this immersive larp. The experience was full of intrigue, backstabbing, and courtly drama. A standout moment was an epic duel scene that will stay with me for a long time.

February: Game Testing Season

From February onward, I focused on game testing two significant projects:

• The Hooded King: A chamber larp inspired by the folktales surrounding King Matthias. Collaborating with a talented team on this project was incredibly rewarding.

• Grand Café Budapest: This solo project allowed me to channel my creativity into designing a narrative-rich game inspired by the vibrant culture of Budapest.

  
  

April: Solmukohta in Finland

In April, I traveled to Tampere, Finland, for Solmukohta, the main Nordic larp event of the year. I hosted a workshop on A Meeting of Monarchs, which sparked new ideas and influenced some of my game designs. The event was also a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations.

May: Secrets We Keep in Tuscany

May took me to the picturesque landscapes of Tuscany, Italy, for The Secrets We Keep. This game explored the grim, intimate psychological journey of a band of orphaned children who grew up together, became a band, and were split apart by tragedy. Reuniting years later, we unearthed buried secrets and reopened old wounds. The game’s isolated setting amplified the tension, and the deeply personal narratives kept us on edge. It was an evocative blend of nostalgia, introspection, and confrontation with past demons.

September: Hungarian Chamber Larp Gathering

In September, I participated in the Hungarian Chamber Larp Gathering, which brought together an inspiring array of players and designers. I facilitated two games, Grand Café Budapest and War Council, and had the opportunity to play some truly creative larps. The gathering highlighted the growing strength and diversity of the Hungarian LARP community. It also served as a platform to discuss new ideas, share resources, and forge collaborations.

October: Sahara Expedition in Tunisia

October brought a truly unique adventure: the Sahara Expedition in Tunisia, where I was honored to join as crew at the invitation of Alessandro Giovannucci. This grand larp production was set in the mesmerizing Sahara Desert and took place in 1934, inspired by the Cthulhu Cycle. The story followed an expedition in search of the legendary city of Zerzura, with participants stepping into roles such as explorers, parapsychologists, legionnaires, politicians, scientists, or adventurers. The event redefined immersive narration, blending historical intrigue with mythic overtones, and was truly the adventure of a lifetime.

December: Babel Budapest and Time Dive Study Visit

The year concluded with two exciting events:

• Babel Budapest - In the Shadow of the Olympics: Set in July 1968, this character-driven spy thriller explored the chaos of the Budapest Olympics and the intrigues of Cold War-era Hungary. Inspired by Vilmos Kondor’s works, it combined personal drama with high-stakes political tension.

• Time Dive Study Visit: Wrapping up the Time Dive project, this visit celebrated the successful completion of our collaborative journey. It provided a chance to reflect on the outcomes, share lessons learned, and envision future projects building on this foundation.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on 2024, I am deeply grateful for the diverse experiences and the amazing people I’ve shared them with. Each event has enriched my perspective as both a participant and a designer. Here’s to more stories, adventures, and connections in the coming year!