I could live my life by gamification.
I have always struggled to build up positive habits, or complete
difficult tasks. Procrastination is the bane of all my days and without
strong incentivisation, I wouldn't get much done. I've tried it all: to
do lists, phone alarms, buddy systems, and reward schemes. Nothing
really worked. For some reason I can just never stick to anything for
any length of time, it is why I've found maintaining the blog so
difficult. My notebooks are full of half-completed post drafts, but I
can never seem to remember to maintain habits.
After many months of dancing around it, I have finally begun my dissection of the much anticipated Pottermore. J.K. Rowling's grand follow up to her titanic Harrence Parrence series was always going to be enormous, but who could have predicted it's final home would be the internet experience that is now in beta.
So here it is the (entirely unanticipated) breakdown of my Pottermore experience.
First Impressions
I was not instantly wowed by the front page. The swirled lines and icons are nice, but generally I don't feel the best is being made of the space. However, as I progressed through the chapters and unlocked each new feature the gateway became even more intuitive. I suppose it's more likely that I got used to the layout.
I also find the colour a little dull. Yet the symbols for each book are quite nice.
Personalisation Features
Ollivander is always pleased to see you again
As you move through the plot of the first book you find yourself getting to make the same decisions as Harry in finding your wand, choosing your familiar and being sorted into one of the four houses. Here is a point where Pottermore really shines. Instead of the usual forced four-answer quizzes, the questionnaires to personalise your house and wand are quirky, interesting and truly inspired. On a personal note, Ravenclaw was always the last house I thought I'd be put in; so you can imagine my surprise when...
Houses and House Points
The background art never fails to impress me
So off I pop to do all I can for my new found housemates. There are various mini-games and surprises designed to earn elusive house points. The easiest is to just read through the books as beautifully re-illustrated on the site - anything you find, pick up and read can potentially earn you points. This encourages you to interact with everything.
The potion brewing mechanic is the most consistent (and enjoyable) when it comes to winning house points. There was once a duelling mechanic but lord knows where that's gone. Nevertheless, the thought behind potion brewing is really fun and quite exciting.
Love that the background informs a less known house
As far as I can tell there is currently no discernible differences between each of the houses. You get a lovely welcome message, more facts about your house and a sexy common room background, but not a lot else. I would love a chance to fully explore my house common room; currently all I can see is a Facebook wall style set-up and penchant for blue.
This is where the houses fall apart slightly for me. I can see what people would get out of interacting with Griffindor and Slytherin (the two 'main character' houses), but in the books Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were always a little bland, following the other houses about depending on whether Harry was a hero or a whining angst monkey. Therefore, how the houses will develop as we are still seeing the books through Harry's eyes remains to be seen.
Hmmm... well if you say so
Moderation (addition)
Just as I uploaded this blog post, I received a curious message from the 'moderation team'. I had been struggling with posting in the common room. Sometimes it is easy to post a quick message to fellow Ravenclaws, but sometimes, no matter how many changes I make my post become 'under moderation'. I assumed this to mean 'lost in the ether of the internet'. However, I was later sent a PM indicating that my post had been 'approved'. This approval system is inconsistent and entirely without reason, breaking the flow of common room interactions. This to me seems the biggest problem with Pottermore.
Overall, I am very impressed with Pottermore. I am greatly looking forward to the next book and further unlockable features.
To come: The Potion Brewers Guide & Early Tastes of Spell Casting.
I can imagine when the producers of Tough Gig sat at their round table, planning comically hilarious set-ups for their top comedians, the list was endless; hippies, fashionistas… fantasy roleplayers.
Exec 1*: "Hey you know those nutters who like to dress up as elves and dragons?"
Exec 2*: "Yeah, what losers. Why don't we send a comedian along to crack jokes at them. You know: foam ears, plastic swords, pretending to be freaky fantasy creatures. Hila~rious!"
Exec 1*: "What are they called again? Live-action roleplayers?"
Exec 2*: "No that sounds stupid, and the public don't like terms they don't understand. We'll call them fantasy roleplayers and have done!"
Exec 1*: "Brilliant, let's break for lunch and cocaine."
I imagine this is how TV producers make all their decisions. Nevertheless, when I heard there was a show about a comedian trying to 'understand' and then do a stand-up show for larpers I was terrified it would turn into an awkward train-wreck. I saw Russell Howard flirting with the one scantily elf maiden, Al Murray making 'fairy' comments about the guy in the robes, or Kevin Bishop cracking jokes about half-inching all the lammies in play…
So when I found out it was Dara O'Briain, the sardonic but down-to-earth, Irish comic who was going to entertain us I was delighted. He is one of a handful of stand-ups performing at the moment who had the sense of humour and strength of personality to fit in with the larpers.
Rocking the ears 'Morgan'
Having donned foam latex ears, learned a few spells, citing a former sexual fantasy roleplay of his own and becomes part of the crowd, Morgan Fairchilde strode into the encampment. O'Briain is a stand-up who never fails to make me laugh. While he's wry and sarcastic throughout, I am struck by O'Briain's gentleness when faced with the seriousness of Rule Seven.
There is a culture in modern comedy to be as cruel as possible about the subjects of ridicule: from the close-to-the-bone Frankie Boyle, to the downright unfunny Little Britain. There is no affection or understanding, only mockery. None of this is noticeable in O'Briain's stand-up. He only pokes as much fun as larpers poke at themselves.
Some atheists are beyond help
He has the same slip-ups that a cynical new player might run into: trying to be an atheist, picking an amusing name, even having a little private laugh at the name of the gods (Kermit, really?!) Yet, through all this he manages to have a go and even he admits that he cannot openly taunt such a friendly group of people.
While I was pleased that ITV didn't fall into the trap of scorning an unusual group of enthusiasts, I felt prouder of the larp community. Open, friendly, no signs of cliques: the players in this programme were an excellent advert for the hobby, and they paint a welcoming picture to anyone considering having a go.
Shh! He's hiding!
Overall O'Briain is amused by larpers (let's face it, we have a pretty amusing pass time), but never resorts to cliches or jeering. Aside from the obligatory 'fantasy roleplay sounds like a sex thing' joke - O'Briain managed to deliver laughs with his fresh, original routine.
Of course in Tough Gig, the aim of the show is to appeal to a very niche audience. However, I saw this programme long before gaining a deep interest in larp and it was still funny then. My knowledge of the area has only made me appreciate the humour more. While the series was not successful or recommissioned, this 'fantasy roleplay' special is a rare, factual and gentle example of media attention on the larping community.
