Live-action gaming is sometimes described to novice players as a hobby lying somewhere between LARP and historical reenactment.

[1] This is accurate in that the game contains the WYSIWYG philosophy and minimalist rules of historical reenactment, but adds the unpredictable outcome and player-created plot found at some LARP events.

A special effort is made to convey and adhere to the spirit of the game.

Weapons (such as buffer swords or airsoft guns) are almost always part of the experience.

Most events are run by volunteer organizations for the enjoyment and exercise of the players and staff.