Discussion 3: Cultures of Hardcore, Consent, and Safety
Read Nilsen’s “High on Hell,” Pedersen’s “Tears and the New Norm,” Pedersen’s “Your Larp’s Only As Safe As Its Safety Culture,” and Bowman’s “A Matter of Trust: Larp and Consent Culture.”
Content advisory for “High on Hell”: This article includes mentions and descriptions of addiction, incarceration, violence, sexualized violence, dehumanization, verbal and physical abuse, and indoctrination. Please contact your instructor if you need any alternative assignment.
Choose one (1) article to read from the Consent category.
* * *
Then, answer the following questions:
- Compare and contrast the perspectives on highly emotional play discussed in Nilsen and Pedersen.
- What play experiences do they describe?
- How do the two authors’ tend to experience emotional play? Be specific.
- Which perspective do you find the most relatable from your own play experiences? Why?
- In 1-2 sentences, summarize Pederson’s point on safety culture. Do you agree with Pedersen’s point from your experience? Why or why not?
- Give a 1-2 sentence summary of the article you read on consent. How is consent in role-playing games defined in the article? How is this definition similar or different from Bowman’s description of consent-based play? Be specific.
- According to Bowman, in your own words, describe the culture of hardcore. What arguments do players from this perspective make against certain safety measures? Be specific.
- Reflect upon the communities within which you play, including this course as needed. Where do you think they fall along the culture of hardcore vs. safety culture spectrum? Give examples.
Finally, respond to at least two (2) of your peers in Ask a Question, Answer a Question format.