This page contains a series of statements, policies and explanations of how MVEX operates. It won't be a pretty page, but it will have information you might want or need.
MVEX is committed to making sure that attendance is open and fair. The process for signups, lottery and flagging is below.
A signup period will take place. During this time you can register as a solo player or as a duo who will play characters from the same nation. If you’re part of a duo then you can both sign up separately if you wish. This signup period will be communicated on social media, and potentially also on the website.
Following the signup period, a lottery will take place using random.org, the results of which will be published. You’ll be able to choose during signup what your identifier will be published as. This can be your name, a nickname, a series of numbers, anything you wish.
The successful lottery winners will be contacted to ensure that they are still interested. At this point, the lottery winners will be made aware of who each other are. A waiting list will be generated from anyone who does not immediately get in, and be informed of their position.
Flagging – there are two possible flags that can be raised at this point. A red flag indicates a potentially dangerous person who we will then ask further questions about the nature of the flag. A yellow flag simply means that you do not wish to attend the same event as another person. In this scenario, whoever was drawn first during the lottery will attend this MVEX event, and whoever is drawn second will be automatically considered a ‘lottery winner’ for the next MVEX event, and will be informed that their ticket is being withdrawn. This does mean that the person flagging may be the person who has to wait.
Once an attendee list is settled, we will provide payment details and request money by a certain date. Should money not be received (or other communication had regarding a late payment or a struggle with payment – we will always work with you to make it possible to attend if we possibly can) then your ticket will be withdrawn and offered to the next person on the list.
In all circumstances, we might withdraw your ticket for any or no reason, and we don’t consider ourselves under any obligation to tell you why. If we do, we'll refund any money you've sent.
Mech Pilot
You will be assigned an Archetype mech pilot, based initial on interest forms as the MVEX game team try to balance requests. You will be given one of the five Superstates that your character is from. You will then need to come up with:
Name
Place of origin within the superstate – city, town, village, area, etc.
Family and/or people and things that are important to the character, and where they are
Short history, including why they are <X> Archetype, of around 5 sentences
Any possible motivations or secret missions you think could be appropriate (the game team may be able to fit these in!)
Costume is as you see fit for the character. Near-future or modern clothing that suits the character and their role as you see it is entirely acceptable, as well as subcultures within. The MVEX game team will explain any secret missions, or goals, or other things to be aware of on the day of the larp.
Then you’re ready to go!
Command staff
You will be assigned an Archetype command staff, based on initial interest forms as the MVEX game team try to balance requests. You will be given one of the five Superstates that your character is from. You will then need to come up with:
Name
Place of origin within the superstate – city, town, village, area, etc.
Family and/or people and things that are important to the character, and where they are
Short history of around 5 sentences. Command staff are not required to be military, government, or any particular specialism at all. They could be experienced or not, skilled or useless, charming or awkward, anything at all. All we know is that they have the incredibly rare genetic markers that Alex Vos demanded. Do as you see fit in collaboration with the game team!
Any possible motivations or secret missions you think could be appropriate (the game team may be able to fit these in!)
Costume is as you see fit for the character. Near-future or modern clothing that suits the character and their role as you see it is entirely acceptable, as well as subcultures within. The MVEX game team will then explain any secret missions, or goals, or other things to be aware of on the day of the larp.
Then you are ready to go!
First, please see the Leeds Little Larps Equality and Diversity Statement
As per the L3 E&D statement, the themes on which it is permitted to discriminate In-Character are as follows:
Megastate of Origin
National government type
Political beliefs
Accessibility
MVEX is a larp designed to be as accessible as possible within the design choices that have been made. Whilst we do not claim that we have been able to consider every possible accessibility issue, thus far we feel we’ve had a pretty good track record of being able to meet accessibility needs highlighted to the team. We will attempt to make reasonable adjustments, and if we do not feel able to meet your accessibility needs we will tell you. In some cases, we may suggest that some archetypes or roles may be more or less accessible.
If you’re concerned, please don’t be afraid to reach out and discuss it with us.
That being said, please be aware that MVEX includes:
Interpersonal conflict in a confined space
Significant amounts of reading
Communication via text, phone, radio (though these can be adjusted in some cases)
Potential for the need for rapid arithmetic and puzzle solving, dependant on archetype
Moderately loud, unanticipated noises
Themes of large-scale death and destruction, political persecution, murder, corruption, terrorism, nationalism
An experience where there is no designed opportunity for rest or breaks for seven to eight hours (though some roles may be able to find breaks more easily)
Some additional game rules and expectations:
There is no physical combat at MVEX. It is your responsibility to ensure your character does not escalate to this level. Anything short of physical violence is explicitly permitted, though the ‘Brake’ and ‘Cut’ techniques will be in use.
‘Brake’ – A player stating ‘Brake’ indicates that a player’s boundaries are about to be crossed in some fashion, and everyone present should de-escalate the situation accordingly.
‘Cut’ – A player stating ‘Cut’ indicates that a player’s boundaries have been crossed in some fashion, and play immediately ceases. An MVEX game team member will intervene at some point to restart play.
The Spotlight. There are a lot of spotlights at MVEX, where different people get to shine and have their moments of drama and exciting stories. Our expectation is that participants will allow everyone their moments of glory, and not simply steamroller their way into every situation and moment.