We've come a long way since our deployment with the Resistance Army in the North. After dozens of tours over the last 2 years in our post-apocalyptic live-action-role-playing game, we can proudly say, yes, we are LARPers.
You're probably thinking about those lame scenes in the 2008 Paul Rudd comedy "Role Models". That is a parody of what real larping is. Being outside in the rain, sun, or snow, while running around full-tilt, swinging foam weapons around and beating down zombies is no walk in the enchanted park. It can be very intense, but most importantly, it's epic fun. And if you can't say you're having epic fun in your basic life, you might as well start larping with us.
Your Mind Makes it Real
Other than the amazing players and the phenomenal organisers, the main reason we larp at Z-World is because it's one of the best forms of training for the apocalypse. The game runs all weekend, usually from a Friday night to Sunday afternoon. During this time...the game is live...meaning that at any point in any location, you could be attacked by zombies. How do we mitigate these threats you ask? Well, we set up patrols, watches, alarms, sentry lists, check points, rondevous. We use walkies to communicate covertly. Often we sleep inside or barricade one of the buildings and we always have an all night overwatch rotation. There's nothing more humiliating than being killed while you sleep. It took me 3 hours once to eat my bowl of oatmeal because of the waves and waves of marauding zombies breaking through our defences.
We actually get to use and practice everything we teach at zombie survival camp. It's a perfect testing ground for any prepper skill. It's not just your combat and recon skills that get put to the test, but there are tonnes of missions that require creative problem solving, deliberation and delegation, teamwork and sacrifice, negotiation and compassion. These are social skills you'll never hone while sitting around taking inventory in your bunker. We fight alongside many families, parents and kids, brothers and sisters, and after a crazy weekend, you all end up leaving as one big family. Z-World is open to ages 12 and up. So if you're a closeted prepper and would love to get your spouse and kids into being more hardcore, this is the perfect, fun way to cheat them into prepping with you.
Take the Red Pill
You may be thinking that this is fake and false and make-believe is not real life. But we live in the digital age now. Kids live in virtual worlds on the interwebs...so larping is actually closer to a real pre-millennial childhood than you think. Ya, soccer may be fun, but wouldn't you rather go camping for a weekend and kill zombies in the forest. The defence rests it's case.
The beauty about Z-World is that you choose your level of intensity. No one will scold you because you don't know the rules the first, second, or third time you try it. The goal is to have intense, safe fun. So I'll include a link to the "scource book" of Z-World where it explains the lore of the post-apocalyptic world we fight in as well as some info on choosing a character. It's exactly like a League of Legends game where you choose your champion based on their abilities and then you level it up the more you larp, unlocking badass abilities that make you even more badass in your next game.
We need Guns, lots of Guns
As for weapons, nerf guns are acceptable as well as padded foam swords and axes, but don't be overwhelmed. There is always a stocked armoury from which you try various weapons to see what feels good in your zombie-slaying hands. Once you get accustomed to playing, you'll inevitably want to posses your own prized weapon. There are many online larping supplies store where you can get swords and daggers and staffs that are made to look very realistic with latex paint and fine craftsmanship. One of our Z-World zombies happens to specialize in custom larp weaponry. Dave made me a shotgun with an axe bayonet. Ridiculous, I know! Here's his facebook page. Feel free to message him about custom orders:
Season 3 of Z-World has a brand new location: Kamp Tanner
(GPS: 43.214936, -80.988641)
The first event is Feb 26-27 (Sat 8am - Sun 4pm) and there's one event every month.
You can bring food or buy fresh hot burgers, eggs, mystery cans from the kitchen.
Cost is $40 per person for a whole weekend, or $20 per day.
More info at www.zworldlarp.com or
