We are excited to announce the call for papers for the upcoming symposium, Evolution of Story III: Having a Larp: Immersion, Liveness, and the Qualities of Experience, to be held at Solent University in Southampton, UK, on June 17, 2025. This one-day academic event aims to challenge and expand the current understanding of storytelling and immersive experiences, focusing particularly on the growing phenomenon of Live Action Role Play (LARP).
In recent years, Larp has moved from the fringes of entertainment culture to a more mainstream and recognized form of experiential storytelling. This transition is exemplified by ventures such as Disney’s Galactic Star Cruiser, highlighting both the immense potential and inherent challenges of themed entertainment experiences. Concurrently, companies like Netflix are investing heavily in immersive experiences, reflecting a burgeoning market and interest in these forms of practice.
The symposium will delve into the theoretical and practical dimensions of Larp and immersive storytelling, with a special emphasis on the concept of “liveness.” Participants are encouraged to explore how audiences discern between live and pre-made content and what unique qualities live interaction brings to immersive experiences. This examination aims to uncover the special characteristics that real-time interaction brings to narrative engagement and its impact on the audience’s experience.
We invite submissions that address various aspects of Larp and related immersive experiences. Topics of interest include the ontology of liveness, the role of spontaneity and real-time interaction, psychological and emotional impacts of liveness, methods for achieving deep audience immersion, techniques for balancing narrative control and player agency, innovations in technology, the challenges of maintaining immersion over varying durations, safeguarding participants, and strategies for different levels of participant commitment and engagement. Additionally, we are interested in the societal impact of Larp, inclusivity and diversity in immersive storytelling, and ethical considerations in the design and execution of these experiences.
In addition to traditional paper presentations, the symposium welcomes proposals for workshops, non-traditional presentations, performances, and live Larp sessions. These sessions are designed to provide hands-on experiences, practical demonstrations, and innovative approaches to exploring the themes of the symposium. Contributions from scholars, practitioners, and creatives in the field of immersive storytelling are highly encouraged.
Recognizing the evolving landscape of academic and creative exchange, the symposium may include hybrid elements such as video papers, webinars, online open space encounters, e-networking, and other hybrid approaches. We encourage submissions that can take advantage of these formats to engage a broader audience and facilitate dynamic interactions.
For more information, please visit the web page for the call for papers where you can download a PDF with full details of CfP. We look forward to your contributions and to a stimulating day of discussion and exploration into the fascinating world of Larp and immersive storytelling.