I went to Australia and lived to tell the tale!

Well – barely. My personal “Australian LARP experience” consisted of three short sessions as an NPC and one as a player… Hardly the stuff you could write ethnographies from. So when a friend unexpectedly drafted me to give a talk at BEtaLARP about “LARPing in Australia,” I did the only sensible thing: I asked the people who actually know what they’re talking about.

This session brings together the voices of experienced Australian larpers, especially from Melbourne’s club Caligo Mundi, who generously shared their histories, insights, and critical reflections.

The Australian LARP scene is not a single cohesive entity, but rather a mosaic of interconnected (and sometimes isolated) traditions. From emotionally immersive freeform games rooted in the 1980s convention scene, to large-scale battlegames inspired by European festivals, to hybrid “blockbuster” weekend events, Australia’s communities have evolved in parallel, shaped by both vast physical distances and unique cultural dynamics.

Through these collected perspectives, we’ll explore how design practices, community values, accessibility efforts, and cultural differences intertwine to create a uniquely Australian approach to LARP.

Conference| Caroline Garoscio

Sunday, November 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m.