Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2025/03/09/from-niche-to-mainstream-the-rise-of-larp-in-malaysia-a-growing-passion-for-immersive-adventures/166307

From niche to mainstream: The rise of LARP in Malaysia, a growing
passion for immersive adventures


By Ian Jeremiah Patrick
Sunday, 09 Mar 2025 7:00 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 ? What began as a niche hobby, live-action
role-playing (LARP), is quickly becoming a popular pastime for
many Malaysians.

The local scene is now thriving, with passionate communities such
as MyLARP playing a crucial role in bringing this immersive
activity into the spotlight.

Malay Mail explores the growing LARP scene in Malaysia, its rising
popularity, and the exciting possibilities for its
future.

The MyLARP community and the shift in the local scene

Founded by LARP enthusiast Sacha Dijkshoorn, the MyLARP community
group was established around 2014-2015.

At that time, the LARP scene consisted of small events held at
conventions and games based on Vampire: The Masquerade, a
tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG).

Today, the scene has expanded to offer a diverse range of
activities, including campaign, combat, and parlour LARP, with
themes ranging from fantasy and sci-fi to horror, superheroes,
and beyond.

Events such as Maelstrom, Crucible Conflicts and Minutes to
Midnight are among those currently taking place in
Malaysia.

MyLARP is regarded as the largest LARP community group in
Malaysia. However, Sean Wang, 27, the current head, noted that
they are not the only group operating locally.

?We welcome organisers to collaborate with us to provide a safe
and inclusive platform for players to engage with the LARP
hobby,? said Wang.

MyLARP currently has 429 members on its official Discord server,
with an average of 10-30 regular participants locally. Players
from Singapore and Indonesia often join for larger
events.


Why is the scene growing in Malaysia?

A key factor behind the growth is the increasing popularity of
tabletop role-playing games in Malaysia, such as Dungeons &
Dragons (D&D).

?As more people start exploring roleplay, it will naturally lead
them to LARP,? Wang explained.

As these games become more mainstream, a shift towards LARP as the
next level of immersion is expected.

Nicholas Lai, 35, a freelancer, added that the rise of the cosplay
scene in Malaysia has also contributed to the growth of LARP,
with many participants coming from this community.

The internet has also played a significant role.

?I believe that watching LARP events online, such as those in
Europe, has contributed to this cultural shift; otherwise, we
wouldn?t know what to expect,? said Wang.

Cheryl Bates, 39, a teacher and dicemaker, noted that after the
pandemic, Malaysians have been eager to try new activities, which
has further driven the trend.

?The younger generation are drawn to new experiences. They want to
feel new emotions and step out of their comfort zones,? she
added.

Even years after the pandemic, many are still emerging from its
effects, eager to embrace new experiences, with LARP being one of
them.


The future and its potential growth in Malaysia

Wang highlighted that with growing opportunities, the LARP scene
in Malaysia is poised for significant expansion.

Lai envisions it becoming a safe space where people from all walks
of life can reconnect with their inner child, despite life?s
challenges.

Meanwhile, Cheryl sees the scene evolving into a dynamic hub for
collaborative expression, where various hobby groups can come
together and share their passions.

Looking ahead, the future of LARP in Malaysia appears bright.
However, for this growth to continue, Wang emphasised the need
for regular events of varying scales and genres.

?Expanding the community?s social media presence and collaborating
with other LARP groups, both locally and internationally, is also
important,? he added.

Additionally, partnerships with adjacent communities such as
cosplay, tabletop role-playing games, martial arts, theatre, and
businesses with similar values will be essential.

While it is exciting to imagine how the scene will grow and thrive
in the years to come, one thing is certain ? LARP has firmly
woven itself into the fabric of Malaysian culture.

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