Setting The Stage For Your Live Action RPG

Introduction

There are a lot of elements that go into a successful LARP: well-crafted plots, intriguing characters, exciting NPCs. But one aspect that's often overlooked is the one of ambiance - atmosphere, for those of you who prefer plain language.

Suppose you're running a Cthulhu Live game set in a mysterious abandoned manor house. Which setting is going to get your players in the mood? A brightly lit cafeteria at the Booster's Club, or a cold and gloomy room with boarded over windows and strange noises emanating from the walls? Set the right ambiance, and you're halfway to a successful game.

Ambiance doesn't have to be expensive, nor does it have to be all-consuming. There are several ways in which a game-master - and the players - can ratchet up the atmosphere in a game. Those can be broken down into lighting, sound f/x, set dressing, props and costuming. Let's go over them one at a time...

Lighting

Cheapest

• If you're running a horror game, or something set at a nightclub/temple/den of vice, turn down some - but not all - of the lights. Simple darkness goes a long way to setting the right mood for an event. Have you ever been to a bar that's lit up like a CNN set? Nope, and that's why.
• Borrow as many strings of Christmas lights as you can get your hands on. Everyone has at least a few hundred of these things in their attic. String them up here and there throughout the room - very festive!

Cheaper

Super Mario Crossover 2, A Remarkable Twist On An Old Classic

Are you ready for a version of Super Mario Brothers that you've never played before? If you're into the world of Mario like millions of other people around the world then Super Mario Crossover is a must play game for you.
Super Mario Brothers is one of the most popular video games of all time and there are so many gamers out there that can't seem to get enough. Nowadays you will even find a lot of the gamers playing this game are adults. This is because Mario came out in the 80's and that's when they were kids.
Today the new programmer minds of the day are resurrecting these old classics and adding a new feel to them. Once they have their latest version available we then find access to it online for our enjoyment.
Super Mario Crossover is by far one of the best remakes of an old classic to date. The game was developed with care and not much was overlooked. The reason for the word Crossover in the title relates to the added characters that can be played in the game. Some of the more famous characters from the same time in the 80's like Megaman and Link from the Legend of Zelda can be used to play in Mario's world.
This remake is done with accuracy as well. All of the characters are in their full 8 bit mode and work with all the standard rules of Mario's world. As you must know from playing the original Super Mario Brothers, when you want to get your small little character to power up you must do things like collect flowers and stars. This still holds true in this version for Mario and Luigi but the other characters power up in their own way. They power up according to the weapon that comes with them from their original game. So if you power up with Megaman you will be able to fly farther and shoot fireballs with his cannon. This accurate element to each character adds a unique game play experience.
Super Mario Crossover gets even better when it comes to the music soundtrack of the game. When you decide to play with a different character; the game music changes to the characters original score. So after you've played with Mario and heard the music we all know and love you can then play with Link from the Legend of Zelda and play with all the original music from that game. It makes the feel of the game different and adds a true nostalgic touch.
A few tips when using different characters in the game, for example some of them tend to have a height advantage and will be able to make kills from a few different positions. Some of them can lie down or crouch down in order to kill. In order to control them to make such a move just press down on the keyboard. Again these abilities add yet another level of capabilities to this great game.
Super Mario Crossover and the latest Super Mario Crossover 2 are games that can be and should be enjoyed by gamers from all age groups. You can find the game available for play online in a flash enabled browser or for download to your personal computer.