Inclusivity Statement
Player safety, comfort, and inclusion are our top priorities. You're leaving the real world to join our fantasy world to become a magical school graduate student with extraordinary gifts and talents to share with the world. We're here to divert you from everyday life. No matter who you are or where you come from in real life, YOU are Welcome to a place where you are safe.
Our company, The Game Theatre, and our partners for this event will constantly work hard to create a physically and emotionally safe environment for our valued players. The world-building and lore for our games are written with everyone in mind. Anyone, no matter their background, sexuality, gender, race, origin, etc., can express themselves, be themselves, escape real life in our fantasy, and become something in a world they can be passionate about as a magic practitioner! You choose your terms, your self-definition, your magical specialty, and your purpose in this magical realm.
With that said, we have a motto that "winning" is not the objective or end goal for the experience. Instead, "Doing what is best for the story" is the ultimate collective goal of all participants. Our company is called The Game Theatre because we believe that Live Action Roleplaying Games and interactive theatrical gaming at our events are about telling a collective inspiring story to be remembered and experienced together! It's not about who takes a fictional medal or scores the most points in our championship. If you create great memories and tell stories with great friends, old and new, that is the ultimate prize to be shared.
Kind Note: All ticket purchasers must consent to our Event Policies for safety and transparency, which protect all players and our gamemaster staff.
EVENT POLICIES
These policies apply to multiple events by The Game Theatre, including those that occur live in-person or online. This document is intended to undergo regular revision and rigorous review by our community. Would you like to help improve this document and our safety culture? Email: info@thegametheatre.com
TICKET POLICY
If you sign up for our events, you accept our photo & video policy. It’s straightforward. We have photographers and sometimes a video crew at the events. Sometimes we have outside media visiting. That means that you may appear in pictures or videos. We’ll be respectful about it but mention it here so there are no misunderstandings later—any participant who attends our events consents to being photographed and featured in a video. Photographs and videos are essential to capture the magical moments at our events and, most importantly, offer our participants memories of their fantastic role-play, friends, and costumes forever.
Can I cancel my ticket after I purchase it and get a refund?
Dragon Thrones is a large-budget and customized experience. This means once you pay your down payment or purchase your ticket in full, our company works hard to ensure you have the best experience possible. This means practical and essential expenditures, such as venue costs, hotel or dorm room block down payment, materials costs, design costs for your character and team, catering, and more. Hence, we must have a no-refund policy. We want to work hard to give you (and everyone else) an amazing "all-inclusive" experience. So, just like booking a cruise or other all-inclusive vacation, we cannot offer refunds as production costs begin for you once you are reserved.
This is important! It means we care and will work over many months to ensure you have a memorable weekend. If you have any concerns about purchasing a ticket now, contact us so we can put you on the list and give you a great booking when you are ready to commit if and when spots are available.
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO POLICY
You understand that, while at an Event, you will be photographed and filmed. You agree to allow the Company to use your photo and video likeness for any legitimate future purpose, commercial use, or otherwise. Producing memorable photographs and videos of our players is VERY important to our ticket purchasers - they seek out and expect to be photographed and for our company to obtain their likeness for future use. If you have any objection to our Photography Policy, we ask that you reconsider attending our Events, as our customers expect photography to be included in their experience. Thank you for understanding that our ticket purchasers spend considerable time and effort preparing for our events and are desirous of photography.
CONSENT & INCLUSION POLICIES
The Game Theatre produces various events that involve person-to-person interaction, role-play, character development, and completion of objectives. The company’s rules focus heavily on safety (physical and emotional), consent and communication, inclusion, and varying levels of immersion. These principles are integral to participants having a safe and enjoyable experience at our events. The Game Theatre team supports these principles throughout the more extensive gaming, live-action role-play (LARP), and interactive theater community. The Game Theatre’s events and games are intended to be a fun and joyful escape from the “real world,” and these inclusive policies help support that mission.
The following policies apply to all experiences produced and run by The Game Theatre, including but not limited to in-person events and games, online forums and groups, and online games (hereinafter all referred to as “Games”). All attendees to Games by The Game Theatre agree and consent to abide by these policies and understand that violating these policies may result in being removed from the Game without a refund by The Game Theatre.
Questions or concerns? Email: info@thegametheatre.com
Physical & Mental Safety
Every attendee has the right to feel physically and mentally safe at events run by The Game Theatre, including but not limited to in-person events, games, and online forums, events, and games. That means they should find all of The Game Theatre’s Games are free of:
Physical and mental distress
Danger
Abuse
Harassment (including slurs and deliberate misgendering)
Threats
Unwanted behavior
Violation of physical and personal space
Harmful real-world events and ideologies, discrimination, bias, racism, sexism, knowingly and willfully misgendering others or any other harmful behavior that affects the welfare of others.
Also, The Game Theatre's Games are free of all real-world harmful content, including but not limited to harmful symbols, images, slogans, sayings, printed or other materials, speech, comments, or any other harmful content communicated verbally or displayed in a tangible form.
Whether run by The Game Theatre production team or in conjunction with another business or convention, our in-person games follow all local laws, and we require our participants to do so.
Emotional Safety and 'Bleed'
The Game Theatre prioritizes emotional safety, providing a framework for identifying and processing the emotional impact of immersive role play and confronting (or avoiding) potential triggers. We also guide for managing bleed or the transference of emotions from character to player and vice versa. We do this through work-shopping before and after the Games and through a set of non-immersion-breaking tools.
‘Bleed’ isn’t always negative. An example of a positive bleed might be a real-life friendship that blossoms after you work in a cooperative context in a role-playing game. An example of a ‘negative Bleed’ could involve playing opposite another player in a competitive game. After the game, you may experience negative or hateful emotions toward the other player, even though you are no longer.
‘Outside’ real-world ideologies, opinions, stances, feelings, or other real-world aspects such as government, current events, or any other outside-world issues should not be a part of your character or your intent before entering into the fantasy worlds created by The Game Theatre. Harmful outside real-world aspects are prohibited at our Games for the safety of all players who attend our Games to experience beautiful adventures to escape from anything related to the “real world.” The Game Theatre understands all human beings have ‘bad days,’ which can sometimes roll over into how they feel entering a game. However, The Game Theatre prohibits real-world content from being introduced into its Games, albeit in-person or online. If you, as a player, are having a bad day, feel free to take a break from the Games and reach out to a Game Master for a “safe space.”
Inclusion
The Game Theatre strives to make a welcoming environment for all participants, including trying at all times to select fully accessible venues. The company accepts and values participants and never discriminates based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other attributes.
Pronouns
In Dragon Thrones, players take on Characters that are human/humanoid or fantasy beings and are free to choose any fantasy name they choose. Often, you will be referred to by your Character’s name (or nickname) or ‘title.’ However, having one’s pronouns respected (they/them, she/her, he/him) helps players feel safe and trust their fellow participants. Everyone should treat everyone with respect, so players should use their best efforts to refer to other players by their preferred pronouns, and if they use an incorrect pronoun, the speaker should correct themselves. Sometimes incorrect pronouns are used despite good intentions, and this causes negative and hurtful feelings that were not intended. If a person is corrected, they should accept it graciously, use the proper pronoun, and treat their co-players respectfully. The overriding principle is: If you make a mistake and use the wrong pronouns despite your good intentions, the best response is to acknowledge the mistake, correct it, and continue the conversation. Over-apologizing exaggerates the mistake, derails the role-play, and makes both the person who was misgendered and the speaker uncomfortable. Thus, a simple “thank you” is the preferred etiquette for any correction and is the least anxiety-producing for everyone involved.
Consent & Communication
Consent and communication are essential facets of safe role-play, and The Game Theatre’s Games have tools (see below) to negotiate scenes and communicate comfort levels carefully. LARP is a fantastic tool to explore new and different facets of our true selves, and the company values the sensitivity and safety required for players to experience the growth they wish to pursue.
Immersion
Though immersion (or feeling as though you truly embody the character) is not always the goal of role-playing, immersion is most achievable when LARP players feel safe and included in a setting that allows for clear communication and consent. At Game Theatre events, immersion is not a rule (the team wants people to be comfortable pursuing what they wish when they wish), but deeper immersion is there to pursue. With that in mind, the company encourages a safe, inclusive, and transparent community and consent culture – because it’s kind – but also to support an environment conducive to immersion and quality interactive gaming.
Safety Video & Materials
Before the event, Game Masters and staff will cover specific tools in videos and pre-event guides to help players, experienced or new, effectively communicate with each other and negotiate dramatic scenes when necessary. The more trust you can establish with other players, the more risks you can safely take, and then the more amazing storylines can be created (in a feel-good setting).
Safety Concerns
Safety concerns at The Game Theatre Games should be communicated immediately to the Game Directors/Runners, Christopher Batarlis and Evan Michaels, or Game Masters and Staff; examples include environmental dangers, medical issues, harassment, and legal violations. Game Masters are available to assist you. The Game Theatre will make decisions that ensure the safety of players at our Games and address the safety of players and attendees who attend our Games.
Zero-Tolerance Policy
The Game Theatre has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal behavior, violence against other community members, stalking, harassment, and other types of abuse at Games run by The Game Theatre in-person or online, and any violation of these policies can result in removal from any Game without a ticket refund.
Responsible Use
In-person Games by The Game Theatre may include service of alcohol. We urge our participants to drink responsibly. Alcohol will only be served to persons 21 or older in the United States.
Event Objectives
Physical and emotional safety: creating and supporting a safe environment is paramount. Plus, it’s necessary to facilitate the second objective. Enjoyment: the company wants to present and maintain an environment full of rewarding and enjoyable experiences!Rules, mechanics, and in-game objectives: if players are safe and enjoying themselves, they can do amazing things within the social adventure designed by The Game Theatre!
**Safety Techniques**
Out of Game / Off-game Sign
It’s essential to be able to distinguish in-game actions from out-of-game actions, especially when it comes to safety and consent. As most events occur “in-game” once the game begins, we have a simple way to designate an “out of game” function. You can establish off-game speech by placing your fist on your head and saying “off-game.” Then say what you need to.
For example: “Off game: I’m not feeling very well, so I’m going to sit down for a few minutes,” or “Off game: Please ask before you shout at my character like that. It caught me off guard!"
For all in-person Games by The Game Theatre, we provide an out-of-game room that is comfortable, not within the game area, that can offer privacy, low stimuli, water, refreshments, and snacks for any player who needs to step outside the experience at any time.
Consent Negotiation
Use consent negotiation before proceeding with physical actions involving contact with another player, romantic play, or highly intense emotional role-play. You can also use consent negotiations to coordinate staged fights and other scenes. Examples:
Person 1: “Off game: Consent negotiation - I’d like to throw a (fake) punch at you. Does that sound okay?”
Person 2: “No thanks. I’d rather not play that scene.”
Person 1: “All right, is an argument okay instead? If not, I’ll disengage.”
Person 2: “That’s fine. I don’t mind if you shout at me.”
OK Check-In
We use the OK check-in to inquire about another player’s health, safety, and well-being. Hash the' OK' sign to ask if another player feels alright. Give the other player a moment to take stock.
If that player responds with a thumbs-up, they are safe, and you may continue to play as you were. If that player responds with an iffy gesture or a thumbs-down, you should go off-game and ask how to support them.
Offer to discuss how to change the scene if they wish to continue playing, but also allow them to disengage if they want to.
Free for commercial use: https://pixabay.com/en/blue-background-okay-ok-hand-good-2648244/
This is a subtle sign you can use without disrupting gameplay or immersion.
The respondent replies with one of three hand signals:
Thumb up: “Everything’s great, play on!”
An iffy, ‘so-so’ gesture: “I’m not sure how I feel, or I’m not feeling wonderful.” (treat this as a thumb down)
Thumb down: “I am not okay.”
Note: The ‘so-so’ gesture is essential. We recognize that while we are all responsible for our safety and looking out for each other, real-life socialization and systemic marginalization can lead some participants to feel uncomfortable or guilty saying no.
Look-down
The look-down, or placing your hand at the level of your eyebrows, allows you to exit a scene without a question or fuss. You can use the look-down for various reasons but need not explain. Reasons might include panic attacks, feeling uncomfortable - or something incredibly mundane, like needing water or using the bathroom.
If you see someone using the look-down, they don’t want to interrupt the scene for whatever reason. Please do not pursue them or ask about their reason for leaving.
Team Check-Ins
Your GM or other team members may do a brief, out-of-game check-in throughout the event. Meals are great times for this.
Informal Debriefing
For multi-day events, informal, out-of-game debriefings are encouraged. This can mean chatting about the day's events after hours, during breaks, or over snacks.
Formal Debrief
At the end of the event, we’ll conduct a formal debriefing process. This short process will allow us to leave our characters behind (for the time being) and talk about bleed, emotions, and other experiences from the game in a structured format. This will allow us to process bleed and other strong feelings about the shared experience.
We use these tools because safety is the most essential aspect of our events. Do not use safety tools to avoid an in-game conflict or penalty unless accompanied by severe out-of-game distress.
How to Recognize ‘Bleed’
Bleed occurs when emotions spill over from the character to the player or vice versa. This is especially important in a competitive gaming environment. We’re here to play safely, have fun, and follow the rules, but sometimes we get involved and immersed.
Various emotions can spill over: anger, grief, romance, attraction, sadness, and rage. We encourage you to take a few moments out of the game (alone or with others) to work through any bleed you may experience. The organizers and GMs are happy to assist you with this as needed.
Bleed can begin and continue before, during, and after events, especially as we build our community and culture and participate in online events.
After the Game: 'Larp Drop'
Being surrounded by old friends and new - it’s a great feeling. Especially during long events, you may bond with your team quickly. When it’s all over, and you’re back at work or home by yourself, you might experience a great deal of sadness or emptiness. This is known as LARP drop, and it’s normal. You can alleviate this by:
Talking about your feelings
Continuing informal debriefing
Joining the official online communities run by The Game Theatre
Making plans to hang out with your friends again, whether that involves a simple phone call or signing up for your next gaming adventure
CURRENT HEALTH POLICY
Our returning players know how committed we have been to ensuring safety for our players over the past few years. We follow science and the recommendations and policies of the CDC, State, County, and venue administration of where our events are held. We also consult with hospital physicians in the same county where our event is held. Additionally, we have MDs who advise on health safety at our events. We are not in exclusive control of our venues and hotels and defer to the professional staff at those locations to assist with room/board and other comforts. There is no mask requirement for Dragon Thrones events at this time. If anything changes, we will immediately advise our ticket holders. If you have any questions, please email us at: Info@TheGameTheatre.com
EVENT WAIVER
All players will be required to sign a standard event waiver, similar to one you would sign for an entry-level fitness class or any other endeavor where you will be moving around. In the Waiver (Form), you will be asked to acknowledge:
The Form applies to all activities at the Event in which you may participate and that it will govern your actions and responsibilities at the Event.
The Event is 18+, and, as an adult, you will be responsible for your own mental health and well-being. If you require assistance, you are asked to plan ahead and have a qualified mental health professional or another trusted contact you can call for assistance, including but not limited to transport from the event to a comfortable place. The Company provides safe spaces for all participants who need a comfortable place to relax, recoup, and avoid event stimuli; however, the company does not provide mental health services, nor does it represent that it can.
As an adult, you assume all risks of participating in all Event activities of any kind, including by way of example and not limitation, any risks that may arise from negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons or entities being released from dangerous or defective equipment or property owned, maintained, or controlled by them, or because of their possible liability without fault.
Thank you for being cooperative in agreeing to the above Policies. You help a small entertainment company secure unique locations, site permissions, and insurance to make magical events possible.