Welcome to the Winter 2002 issue of "The LARPer"
by Gordon Olmstead-Dean, Editor

As with previous issues, this issue has been the work of a lot of individuals who took their time and energy to put it together. Laura Quimby, Lynn Anslow, and Dave Coleman did a lion's share of the work on editing and assembling this issue, and they deserve a lot of thanks. LARPA is a volunteer organization, and no one who puts this magazine together gets anything out of it other than the satisfaction of producing the best source for information on LARP around.

We've got a lot of offerings this time around. In the Live Combat world, Erica Hartzell, the owner of NERO Alliance New Jersey, explains that while flush toilets and heat may be provided by benevolent elementals, onsite computer equipment is essential to keeping a campaign game up and running. Tom Haswell also sings the praises of Nero Alliance in his review of "Hail NERO!"

It's an old adage that LARP will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no LARP...or maybe that was said about something else. Nevertheless this editor steps up to the plate with a few words about running a campaign when a chunk of your players are looking at RIF notices, and the coming months look like rough sailing.

There's plenty else in this issue. To the tune of "Anarchy in the UK," Mark Dollar brings us "LRP in the UK" with an insightful look at the UK scene! From the "I have to dress up in what!" that lies within the heart of the male roleplayer, Dave Coleman addresses "Costuming for Guys." Tashi gives us a look at her character "Scott Barrons" in "The Man that Never Was," and the LARPer focuses a spotlight on the crew of the upcoming weekend length Theatre Style LARP "Drink Deeper."

That's not all. Jim MacDougal returns with his regular features, "Ooops," and "Where Did you Get the Idea For...?", while our own Laura Quimby takes a look at the relation between LARP and the theatre world in "Thespians Do It On Stage."

It's been an interesting season in the world of LARP, and our News shows it. Don't miss our special feature in the amazing ongoing civil action between Camarilla - probably one of the largest LARP organizations in the world, and heavyweight game producer White Wolf Publishing. Who will prevail and what is going on in this battle of the Titans? Check out our in-depth legal analysis.