FAQ
Here we will collect all frequently asked questions and answers to them.
Practical
Sleeping and playing in shifts sounds pretty rough. How much can you tell about that part in advance? Are there opt-outs and are there incidents where sleepers might be woken up Is there play in sleeping areas? How much can players influence their shifts, and are the sleeping areas actually dark and quiet, or is it a gym hall type of a thing?
It is possible to opt out from sleeping ingame or working in shifts. There is possibility to sleep off-game, though the sleeping facilities might be better ingame (sleeping mat vs. bunk beds or camp beds). Players can indicate if it is okay to wake them up. Without this indication, players shouldn’t be woken up. Sleeping quarters are ingame but instructed to be kept dark and silent. There are 3 ingame sleeping rooms, roughly 20-25 spots in each.
What if I have to cancel? Will it be possible get my money back?
If a player cancels prior to May 1st, we will refund up to 200€ of the ticket price. This means that Standard tickets paid in one part will be fully refunded, but for Standard tickets paid in two parts, the extra 20€ is not refunded. For sponsor tickets, the extra 100€ is not refunded. If a player cancels after May 1st, we cannot guarantee a refund, but up to 100€ might be refunded: these will be discussed case by case. If a player cancels after June 15th, we cannot make any refunds. Travelling costs and other loss of income are not refunded in case of cancellation.
What are your plans regarding break-downs and freak-outs?
We will have at least two support people at your disposal before the game, during it, and for some days after the larp. The player safety team is there for anything and everything. You can contact the safety team if you have a problem with your safety, if someone harasses you, if you don’t feel okay for any reason, or if you just need to talk to someone. The safety team can take action depending on what is needed. They will listen to you, help you, and when needed, escalate your case to the game masters or off-game authorities.
There will be an off-game room on the game site, where you can retire should you need a breather.
There are organizers in the game area, as well as security cameras we use to monitor the game, so we are able to take actions should someone need assistance. We also encourage other players to check out the state of their co-players if in doubt, and assist them to the off-game room if necessary.
What about players with periods? Do you have special snacks for that matter?
We have several modern water toilets and showers available also during the larp so the facilities are good! The toilets will have hygiene products for players with periods.
There are three warm meals a day and all the common allergies and diets are considered. There are also smaller snacks available throughout the larp and basic painkillers and sanitary products provided for 'emergency situations'.
Is there an off-game area we can take breaks from the game ?
Yes! We have off-game area with some snacks and place to sit down. There is also at least one member of the organizing team available at the offgame room throughout the larp. There is also separate off-game sleeping area for organizers and players who want to opt-out for sleeping ingame.
Is smoking possible during the game? How is it organized?
Smoking is possible during the game, but it will take place outside the game area and is strictly off-game.
What are sleeping arrangements? ingame? off-game? Shift work for some or all groups? I always waver between wanting to participate in everything, and knowing that I am a terrible player without enough sleep.
Sleeping will be ingame with the option to opt out and sleep off-game. Ship crew and some other designated characters work in two designated shifts, but civilian characters can choose when they sleep.
Will every player have their own bed (so one can skip their shift in-game for whatever reason to get a nap), or will it be shared with other players in different shifts? And are they going to be real beds or sleeping bags? In this latter case, will we have to bring our own sleeping bags?
Beds are shared between shifts, but as there are only shifts, the bed is empty also during the off-duty shift to have a nap. During the on-duty shifts the bed is taken but there are some extra ones as well as the option to opt-out from the shifts and sleep off-game. At the moment we aim to provide bunk beds and camp beds, however in the off-game sleeping room there might be only sleeping mats. We ask players to bring their own sleeping bags and look into the option for making it possible to rent one.
Will rental uniforms have inclusive sizing?
Check the Costume guide for sizing information of the rental uniforms.
Regarding rental uniforms, do you have an estimate how much the cost of the rental gear will be? And as regards to the sizing, will they be fitted beforehand, or are they sized only based on the measurements given?
The cost of the rental uniform is 20-60€, depending on the uniform you can check the price on the Costume guide page. Unfortunately the uniforms are not fitted beforehand, but they are ordered or created based on measurements. We will have a few extra sizes as well to allow us to do some customizing on the venue. Most of the uniforms are also flexible concerning the size (eg. lab jacket, jumpsuit or tactical vest).
Will Finnish players be able to sign up for the English run as well?
Finnish players can of course sign up for the international run, but we do consider nationality in anonymous player selection and limit the amount of any single nationality to ensure a balanced game. If there is huge interest for the international run and not so much for the local one, we do consider making adjustments (two international runs instead of one local and one international, or one extra international run).
It is possible to opt out from sleeping ingame or working in shifts. There is possibility to sleep off-game, though the sleeping facilities might be better ingame (sleeping mat vs. bunk beds or camp beds). Players can indicate if it is okay to wake them up. Without this indication, players shouldn’t be woken up. Sleeping quarters are ingame but instructed to be kept dark and silent. There are 3 ingame sleeping rooms, roughly 20-25 spots in each.
What if I have to cancel? Will it be possible get my money back?
If a player cancels prior to May 1st, we will refund up to 200€ of the ticket price. This means that Standard tickets paid in one part will be fully refunded, but for Standard tickets paid in two parts, the extra 20€ is not refunded. For sponsor tickets, the extra 100€ is not refunded. If a player cancels after May 1st, we cannot guarantee a refund, but up to 100€ might be refunded: these will be discussed case by case. If a player cancels after June 15th, we cannot make any refunds. Travelling costs and other loss of income are not refunded in case of cancellation.
What are your plans regarding break-downs and freak-outs?
We will have at least two support people at your disposal before the game, during it, and for some days after the larp. The player safety team is there for anything and everything. You can contact the safety team if you have a problem with your safety, if someone harasses you, if you don’t feel okay for any reason, or if you just need to talk to someone. The safety team can take action depending on what is needed. They will listen to you, help you, and when needed, escalate your case to the game masters or off-game authorities.
There will be an off-game room on the game site, where you can retire should you need a breather.
There are organizers in the game area, as well as security cameras we use to monitor the game, so we are able to take actions should someone need assistance. We also encourage other players to check out the state of their co-players if in doubt, and assist them to the off-game room if necessary.
What about players with periods? Do you have special snacks for that matter?
We have several modern water toilets and showers available also during the larp so the facilities are good! The toilets will have hygiene products for players with periods.
There are three warm meals a day and all the common allergies and diets are considered. There are also smaller snacks available throughout the larp and basic painkillers and sanitary products provided for 'emergency situations'.
Is there an off-game area we can take breaks from the game ?
Yes! We have off-game area with some snacks and place to sit down. There is also at least one member of the organizing team available at the offgame room throughout the larp. There is also separate off-game sleeping area for organizers and players who want to opt-out for sleeping ingame.
Is smoking possible during the game? How is it organized?
Smoking is possible during the game, but it will take place outside the game area and is strictly off-game.
What are sleeping arrangements? ingame? off-game? Shift work for some or all groups? I always waver between wanting to participate in everything, and knowing that I am a terrible player without enough sleep.
Sleeping will be ingame with the option to opt out and sleep off-game. Ship crew and some other designated characters work in two designated shifts, but civilian characters can choose when they sleep.
Will every player have their own bed (so one can skip their shift in-game for whatever reason to get a nap), or will it be shared with other players in different shifts? And are they going to be real beds or sleeping bags? In this latter case, will we have to bring our own sleeping bags?
Beds are shared between shifts, but as there are only shifts, the bed is empty also during the off-duty shift to have a nap. During the on-duty shifts the bed is taken but there are some extra ones as well as the option to opt-out from the shifts and sleep off-game. At the moment we aim to provide bunk beds and camp beds, however in the off-game sleeping room there might be only sleeping mats. We ask players to bring their own sleeping bags and look into the option for making it possible to rent one.
Will rental uniforms have inclusive sizing?
Check the Costume guide for sizing information of the rental uniforms.
Regarding rental uniforms, do you have an estimate how much the cost of the rental gear will be? And as regards to the sizing, will they be fitted beforehand, or are they sized only based on the measurements given?
The cost of the rental uniform is 20-60€, depending on the uniform you can check the price on the Costume guide page. Unfortunately the uniforms are not fitted beforehand, but they are ordered or created based on measurements. We will have a few extra sizes as well to allow us to do some customizing on the venue. Most of the uniforms are also flexible concerning the size (eg. lab jacket, jumpsuit or tactical vest).
Will Finnish players be able to sign up for the English run as well?
Finnish players can of course sign up for the international run, but we do consider nationality in anonymous player selection and limit the amount of any single nationality to ensure a balanced game. If there is huge interest for the international run and not so much for the local one, we do consider making adjustments (two international runs instead of one local and one international, or one extra international run).
casting, Mechanics and gameplay
When signing up, I need to answer to my gender it says on the website. Will this affect the gender of the character I will be cast to portray? Can I play a male character as a biologically identified female off game?
We ask your gender (male, female, other) and what gender you wish your character to be (same options). It is possible to play another gender. We ask them separately as some players might have preferences for the gender of their (romantic) contacts. We aim to be as inclusive and respectful towards all genders as we can. When answering these questions, it is up for the player to determine how they wish to answer.
If a player has absolutely no experience or knowledge about military, engineering, science, or medicine, will they be able to play a character in these groups, equal with players who have more experience? How do you support this?
Yes, it is possible to play without experience in those roles! Most of the tasks in science, medical and engineering take time rather than skill. There are some puzzles that require logical reasoning, but if players end up being stuck, they can ask assistance from the organizers via ingame tools. There are also off-game hints to represent the skill for certain matters for some characters. We will have workshops before the larp starts to go through the systems on the bridge as well as provide tutorials beforehand. For military leadership, we encourage players to play these positions from bottom to top and give authority to those who have it.
For pilots: How will they resolve their "missions"?
Odysseus bridge uses all five roles provided in the Empty Epsilon software. Fighter pilots use the same program but only use two roles (helm and weapons). Fighters are manned by two pilots: one navigates, and the other one shoots. Fighters and the ship are visible to each other in the tactical map of EE, so they can interact with each other (e.g. navigate behind the enemy ship with the fighters etc.). Additional information (like shooting frequency) is provided to the pilots via headsets from the bridge.
Are any of the game's plots reliant on the technology working and is there a backup plan in case the tech malfunctions?
Technology will be major aspect in some character groups’ experience, but we have several backup plans in store in case of technical malfunctions. Technology is only one of the aspects of the game and there should be plenty of interesting plots to play even if we have severe issues with the technology.
What to do if I’m not happy with the character I’ve received? Is it possible to change it? Can some alterations be made? Can I cancel my participation?
If you are unhappy with your character, you should let us know your concerns. Some alterations and in some cases even character switches can be made, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee it. It is possible to cancel your participation prior to May 1st and receive 200€ in refunds.
How are the characters in leadership positions cast? How will you make sure the players in these positions delegate tasks and play inclusively and make decisions that support the game?
The characters in leadership positions are cast based on the casting questionnaire like everyone else. There are a few questions regarding playstyle and opinions on off-game instructions, which are taken into consideration on top of thw gameplay wishes when casting leadership roles. As it is a larp, we have no guarantees that the players play inclusively and delegate tasks, but we will have extensive instructions and briefings to support this type of gameplay. We will have a few mechanics to enforce inclusive gameplay for the characters in leadership positions.
In many larps most of the major plot lines pile up to few specific groups (eg. to the military), how will you aim to prevent this?
In Odysseus, we have several major plot lines aimed for different character groups as well as mechanics that are aimed to make plots more visible and open for everyone to participate (e.g. streams from the land missions, leaks of secret information, open tactical maps, as well as very visible ship status created with lights and sound). There are several links between the groups to help information to travel to all the characters. Organizers are of course available throughout the game to make adjustments if it seems that some characters or character groups are sidelined. However, we do have vastly different content for the different character groups, and it is not our intention to ensure that everyone can take part in every plot or all content, and we hope that players are able to determine what kind of content is most intriguing to them and ask for it in the casting questionnaire.
Will there be a mechanic in player selection/casting that players can use to confirm they will not be cast as close relations / in the same game with people they don't feel safe with?
Yes! We have this disclaimer already in place at our Safety and rules page: "The full names of the participants will be shared with others attending the game." We are sending a list of participants to all players when we send out the casting questionnaire. So it is possible to inform us if there are players you do not wish to play close contact or if there are players participating that are considered not to be a safe person and we can look into the matter.
When I sign up (for the local run), can I answers the questions in Finnish, or should I do it in English?
The questions in the sign up form and the casting questionnaire are in English as it is same for both runs, but it is possible to answer in Finnish!
We ask your gender (male, female, other) and what gender you wish your character to be (same options). It is possible to play another gender. We ask them separately as some players might have preferences for the gender of their (romantic) contacts. We aim to be as inclusive and respectful towards all genders as we can. When answering these questions, it is up for the player to determine how they wish to answer.
If a player has absolutely no experience or knowledge about military, engineering, science, or medicine, will they be able to play a character in these groups, equal with players who have more experience? How do you support this?
Yes, it is possible to play without experience in those roles! Most of the tasks in science, medical and engineering take time rather than skill. There are some puzzles that require logical reasoning, but if players end up being stuck, they can ask assistance from the organizers via ingame tools. There are also off-game hints to represent the skill for certain matters for some characters. We will have workshops before the larp starts to go through the systems on the bridge as well as provide tutorials beforehand. For military leadership, we encourage players to play these positions from bottom to top and give authority to those who have it.
For pilots: How will they resolve their "missions"?
Odysseus bridge uses all five roles provided in the Empty Epsilon software. Fighter pilots use the same program but only use two roles (helm and weapons). Fighters are manned by two pilots: one navigates, and the other one shoots. Fighters and the ship are visible to each other in the tactical map of EE, so they can interact with each other (e.g. navigate behind the enemy ship with the fighters etc.). Additional information (like shooting frequency) is provided to the pilots via headsets from the bridge.
Are any of the game's plots reliant on the technology working and is there a backup plan in case the tech malfunctions?
Technology will be major aspect in some character groups’ experience, but we have several backup plans in store in case of technical malfunctions. Technology is only one of the aspects of the game and there should be plenty of interesting plots to play even if we have severe issues with the technology.
What to do if I’m not happy with the character I’ve received? Is it possible to change it? Can some alterations be made? Can I cancel my participation?
If you are unhappy with your character, you should let us know your concerns. Some alterations and in some cases even character switches can be made, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee it. It is possible to cancel your participation prior to May 1st and receive 200€ in refunds.
How are the characters in leadership positions cast? How will you make sure the players in these positions delegate tasks and play inclusively and make decisions that support the game?
The characters in leadership positions are cast based on the casting questionnaire like everyone else. There are a few questions regarding playstyle and opinions on off-game instructions, which are taken into consideration on top of thw gameplay wishes when casting leadership roles. As it is a larp, we have no guarantees that the players play inclusively and delegate tasks, but we will have extensive instructions and briefings to support this type of gameplay. We will have a few mechanics to enforce inclusive gameplay for the characters in leadership positions.
In many larps most of the major plot lines pile up to few specific groups (eg. to the military), how will you aim to prevent this?
In Odysseus, we have several major plot lines aimed for different character groups as well as mechanics that are aimed to make plots more visible and open for everyone to participate (e.g. streams from the land missions, leaks of secret information, open tactical maps, as well as very visible ship status created with lights and sound). There are several links between the groups to help information to travel to all the characters. Organizers are of course available throughout the game to make adjustments if it seems that some characters or character groups are sidelined. However, we do have vastly different content for the different character groups, and it is not our intention to ensure that everyone can take part in every plot or all content, and we hope that players are able to determine what kind of content is most intriguing to them and ask for it in the casting questionnaire.
Will there be a mechanic in player selection/casting that players can use to confirm they will not be cast as close relations / in the same game with people they don't feel safe with?
Yes! We have this disclaimer already in place at our Safety and rules page: "The full names of the participants will be shared with others attending the game." We are sending a list of participants to all players when we send out the casting questionnaire. So it is possible to inform us if there are players you do not wish to play close contact or if there are players participating that are considered not to be a safe person and we can look into the matter.
When I sign up (for the local run), can I answers the questions in Finnish, or should I do it in English?
The questions in the sign up form and the casting questionnaire are in English as it is same for both runs, but it is possible to answer in Finnish!