Are you aware that there is such a thing as Swordcraft – the largest live action role-play and battle game in Australia, performed right here in Melbourne and at various locations across Australia each week?
The Melbourne Chapter is the oldest and largest in Australia. Melbourne Swordcraft takes place every Friday evening at the Western Oval in Parkville.
As it was Greece’s National Day last Friday 25 March, as a fitting tribute, all the Greek players from the various teams, got together to form a special team to defend Greece’s honour and to celebrate the day.
Swordcraft runs battle games where you and your warband (a group of soldiers or other military personnel actively engage in warfare) join in grand armies and battle it out for glory. You get to fight in shield walls, be fast paced skirmishers or face terrifying monsters. You get to practice sword fighting, inspired by both history and fun, and small unit tactics. You get to really experience the thrills and adrenaline of a unique sport and LARP (a type of role-playing game in which participants physically act out scenarios, typically using costumes and props).
Photos: Pennywoody Photography/Peter Thomas
Photos: Pennywoody Photography/Peter Thomas
Photos: Pennywoody Photography/Peter Thomas
Photos: Pennywoody Photography/Peter Thomas
There were over four hundred participants last Friday night, a great turnout. Obviously the situation with Covid restricted the number of games played in the last couple of years, and players are rushing to catch up.
Building a strong player culture is essential to the future of Swordcraft. The most important thing in the game is a strong culture of playing the game for fun and never taking it too seriously. Actors focus on what they love about the game, not what they don’t like. In a game where there are hundreds of actors, all with different agendas, nobody gets their way all the time and random things happen constantly. This means planning and enjoying the surprises but not getting upset when things don’t go your way. It’s about relaxing and enjoying the game for what it is, not what you want it to be in a perfect world.
Safety is incredibly important in Swordcraft. Players get together and train to play safe. With hundreds of actors on the field, and several battles going on at the same time, playing safely is paramount.
“I have been going to Swordcarft for several years now. I thoroughly enjoy it and have met many amazing people from all walks of life. The Medibank ad has been great in that it has publicized Swordcraft to the broader community.” George Tsironis said. George is a uni student, studying Nanotechnology at La Trobe University.
“It started when a friend invited me to come and fight at a weekly Friday night battle and it sort of went on from there. Initially I thought it was fun but a bit silly. Then I started going on a regular basis and realized that live action role-playing is actually amazing, or as the ad says “euphoric”. I would say that Swordcraft is video gaming in real life.” George continues.
George is the handsome lad in the evzone costume.
“I go every Friday, wearing my team colours, bringing my own weapons and fighting a battle of sorts. I hang out with my new friends which have become best mates and compete with other people with fake weapons. Most of the armor and weapons are made from foam and latex, making them safe to fight with. We can get pretty carried away sometimes but it’s all about relaxing, having fun, and letting go, after a long week in front of the computer, or going to lectures. I thoroughly recommend it.” George concludes.
If you would like to participate in Swordcraft, go to www.swordcraft.com.au/ for more information.
Or you can just visit the Western Oval in Parkville any Friday night at 6.30 pm.
