Originally posted by: ThaGrandCow
:Q
I'm in shock. The lame bar for the world has just been raised.
"Lightning bolt!" <throws ping pong ball>"Lightning bolt!" <throws ping pong ball>"Lightning bolt!" "Lightning bolt!" "Lightning bolt!" <throws 3 ping pong balls>
Are people really this much of losers?
I'm not sure what group that lightning bolt video was from...at first I thought AMTGARD, but for lightning bolt you have to say it 5x per ball. Generally speaking they're not ping pong balls, they're raquetballs covered by cf1240 packing foam.
I've done AMTGARD, Mind's Eye (White Wolf stuff), and SCA (although it's more historic recreation than LARP). Mind's Eye is really just an excuse for sex (as are most goth pasttimes). SCA is fun, but since it's purely historic there's not much 'fantasy' aspect. AMTGARD is pretty good, but generally attracts rednecks and stoners and is pretty much nearing the end of it's useful life I think. I've read about some others, but so far none in my region so I haven't got any first hand accounts of them.
While there's certainly a 'lame' aspect to such groups, I challenge anyone to sit down and design a system that's better to accomplish the goals. American liability laws, cost, and other factors make it a real challenge to balance fun with function. As for the genre itself, that's purely personal taste. I've actually known people that think motorcrosses are in some way interesting. I've seen crowds at monster truck rally's. *boggle* Millions a year spent on scrapbooking. Sports, nuff said. To me these have to be the ultimate in stupidity, but that's just me. I'm glad everyone can have hobbies that interest them.