I have just returned from the press run of Walkabout. It combined theater (theater space, actors), performance art (Abstract Tours) and larp (characters, real interaction), but I realized that I approached it pretty much the same way I would have approached any larp. I’m not going to post a full review (at least not yet) as it would be pointless to write one that did not spoil the game and I don’t want to ruin the experience for anyone.
What did I think about the game? I have mixed feelings. The game was a little long, not as pervasive as I had hoped, and some design decisions seemed odd. On the other hand I did enjoy myself quite a bit, there were moments when fact and fiction collapsed for me in a very powerful way, and the possession model of role taking (which we discuss in the book) was done very elegantly, much better than in Momentum.
Pervasive Games: Theory and Design 
:) it sounds like an interesting game to experience. And you are right regarding giving yourself a time for the review.
As time pass by I wonder if for some events our decision-awareness should be increased. What I want to say is, maybe before joining and/or talking about an event it will help by deciding which one is the role I want to have on it. I can be a researcher, a critic, a player, an expert, a newbie, or just a simple mortal… Yes, it is not simple a simple decision, as all of those are oneself, without forgetting there are more elements involved. Time to the time is a wise idea! imho.
Keep enjoying!
By: Carolina on June 24, 2009
at 15:00
You are right, it is something difficult to decide the role as a participant. I tried to go in as a newbie in theater and as an expert on pervasive games. I did slip into critic and researcher modes at times, but also lost myself momentarily completely in a very pleasurable way.
By: Stenros on June 24, 2009
at 15:13
Do you know whether they’ve changed the design much after the trial run at Knutepunkt?
By: Matthijs on June 25, 2009
at 09:54
I do not know how it was played in Knutepunkt, but I’m under the impression that they have spent a lot of time working on the project since then. I’m considering writing a longer report on Walkabout. If you have extra time, I would appreciate reading your description and take on the version that was played in Knutepunkt… :)
By: Stenros on June 25, 2009
at 10:02