Conceptualisations of Hierarchy in Play

Through the lens of ethnology and philosophy, this talk explores the processes necessary to create, explore and disband fictional hierarchies in larp by mirroring them with real-life methods of gaining and holding on to power. We will discuss what symbols, actions and mechanics can be used to indicate power in the fictional world and how off-game hierarchies can influence this made up world as well as be influenced by it. In this research, we discover successful design elements as well as pitfalls to look out for. This talk is based on the top-graded thesis of the same name.