Abstract:
This thesis explores identity, gender, sexuality, and race within live action role play, a game format designed in an impromptu theatre style. My goal was to assess the ways in which sexism, racism, and hypersexuality pervade contemporary forms of entertainment, and to imagine ways in which gamespaces can be re-imagined to be more inclusive. Using participant observation, I investigated the experience of live action role play and documented my followings in field notes. I discussed my observations in relation to experts on the subjects of identity, play, gamer theory, feminist theory, and critical race theory. I contend in this thesis that games, including live action role play games, are not free from societal oppression, but that interactive games such as live action role play can offer creative ways in which to negotiate and navigate social oppression.
