Ready to head into the Apocalypse?
We’re a community of players and gamers all interested in making sure you have a solid event, so let’s hook you up!
Check our New Player Facebook Group for any events or Discord meetings that may be of use to you.
Any other social media links can be found here.
Have any specific questions? Feel free to contact us at logistics@dystopiarisingnocal.com if they aren’t covered in the FAQ & What To Bring below.
The New Player Experience in DR NorCal
The goal of the New Player Experience in DR: NorCal is to provide as much information as possible so new players feel prepared for their first Dystopia Rising experience.
Whether you’re a veteran LARPer or brand new to the hobby, we ask that you take the time to read these guidelines as well as during the new player experience at your first game. Dystopia Rising is very unique and has a lot of special gameplay aspects, and it will make your first game much better if you do your best to pay attention to the preliminary information given to you.
You are considered a Blue Band for your first three games (this means you are new, you can wear a blue armband to signify your newness, and people will recognize this and try to include you more in roleplay)
Before game
Online Discussion:
We offer two New Player Discord Events, typically the Sunday and Tuesday before the next game. The purpose of these is to talk about the in-game world, help with character creation, make ties, and prepare players for what to expect and what to bring.
Fighter Practice:
Usually we will also have a fighter practice the weekend before game in the South Bay Area, which is a great opportunity to meet other members of the community in person before game! Check the Facebook group and Discord for details & dates.
New Player Guide Team: Ryan Galiotto, Matt McCaffrey, Ariane Li, Derek Cochran, Juliana Minyard
quick start guide
Grab a Player Number by filling out this form! This will notify New Player Logistics team that you are ready to register. Once they create you, you will receive a welcome email, and one to reset your password to be able to login to the Database.
Check out the Rulebook and give it a quick read - it can be a lot of content! Try to focus on what Strain you’d like to play first, and the rest can be explained when you get to a game.
Check out our Local Strain Restrictions & Guide to get an idea of how to costume and what to bring for your character concept.
Claim your free first game ticket here: PLEASE SELECT THE NEW PLAYER TICKET IN OUR SHOP!
Check in on the database for the next event here: SEE GUIDE HOW TO ADJACENT
Starter Gear - you can bring stock nerf weapons or boffers per the Rulebook guidelines to use for your first game, they will be safety checked before entering play. If you do not have any, loaners will be available.
At game
Friday: Check-in, announcements, first adventure.
You can arrive on site at 3pm and check in begins at 6pm. Near the check-in area there will be a separate table staffed with New Player Guides. They will help make sure you are paid, checked in, and set up in the database with your character and skills.
At 8pm, everyone will come together for opening announcements. Immediately following announcements, meet up with your New Player Guides for orientation and your first adventure! They will bring you into town and into game. This mod is typically open only to first game Blue Bands.
Saturday: Town meeting, lunch, adventure, graduation.
On Saturday, there is an all-town meeting at 12pm. Following the meeting, there will be a Blue Band Lunch provided, and an opportunity for new players to go on another adventure. This mod is open to any Blue Band. Later in the afternoon, we hold a Blue Band Graduation for any individuals who have made it through their first three months.
Sunday: Announcements, personal clean up, site clean up.
Game off is at noon on Sunday. At noon, we will have closing announcements. A New Player Guide may find you on Sunday to check in with how your game went and receive your feedback on your experience.
After closing announcements, you will first clean up your camping area, and then check in for an assignment for site clean up. Once you complete your shift, you are free to go! We will typically meet for Afters at a local restaurant after clean up.
Mentors and the Whale Watchers
During game, you may notice people with a button that looks like this:
This is the symbol for the Whale Watchers. These are players who have opted in to be available to you at any point for any reason. We were all New Players once, and know it can be tricky to approach new people and ask questions. This button signifies that you can ask this character anything, in character or out, and they will stop what they are doing to help or include you.
We also offer a mentorship program to connect new players with experienced players who have similar strains, roleplaying styles, goals, or skill interests. Click Here to fill out the Mentor Request:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
-
We are updating our COVID policy in order to be more aligned with current guidelines and best practices.
The previous guidelines, as follows, are still in effect: All attendees must be fully vaccinated and boosted. If you are not boosted, you must provide proof of a negative COVID test within 48 hours of the event onset (Taken no earlier than 3pm Wednesday for a Friday game).
A proof photo must be emailed before you arrive on site to logistics@dystopiarisingnocal.com. You can email a copy of your current vaccination status to directors@dystopiarisingnocal.com ahead of time with any applicable boosters - please note that all COVID vaccination information is kept completely confidential in compliance with HIPAA.
Emailed proof must be sent no later than 48 hours before a live event - if you send proof later than this, you will still need to either bring your vaccination card or a copy/picture of it to the game.
Additionally, for every booster you have received beyond the initial dose, you will be awarded 40 CAPs. To claim these CAPs, you may either email your current vaccination card to logistics@dystopiarisingnocal.com or bring your vaccination card to game to be verified at check-in.
-
Fill out the form HERE to let the New Player Team known you’re ready for a player number.
At game, check-in for new players occurs at an area called "The Post Office". Guides and Staff at the Post Office will help you know where to set up your sleeping space and how to check your weapons. The New Player team will work with you to create your player number, build your character, and get you set up with starter item cards.
-
Your player number is how we keep track of your character in the database. You'll receive your player number when you register for your very first game during character creation.
-
You are highly encouraged to bring your own boffer-safe weapons. For bow phys reps, please do not bring an actual bow. All boffer weapons will be checked for safety ahead of time. For the Projectile Skill, use approved foam dart guns.
We do have new player weapons as loaners available (please bring your ID or $50 cash collateral if you wish to borrow one).
-
There are several vendors where you can order boffer weapons. We have a variety of crafters who can help you out on the Facebook group, Dystopia Rising Crafting Group as well this list of Dystopia Rising Authorized Crafters who can sell props with DR Logos on them.
-
Dystopia Rising: Northern California is a fully immersive game, which means that from game on to game off, you'll be in the role of the alternate persona that you create. We encourage everyone to remain in character at all times, which means that discussions about the latest episode of your favorite tv show should wait until after the game is over. If you need to step out of character, please find a guide and they will direct you to an appropriate out of game area, such as the parking lot.
-
Dystopia Rising is a game filled with niche rules and mechanics. We in no way expect you to have to memorize these things in order to participate. Should you ever have any questions that aren’t suitable for the in-game environment, you can place your fist to your head (denoting out of game communication) and ask: “Clarify: What does that do?” or something similar.
Many players have found in-game ways to explain mechanics and systems in the game, and are primarily tribal knowledge. For example, characters will often ask for your “favorite number” in-character when they’re asking you for your player number.
-
We have a designated new player cabin called The Whale Song - ask Logistics where it is when you check in. If you have questions about our current site, or need medical sleep accommodations, please email us at logistics@dystopiarisingnocal.com.
-
If pre-reg is sold out or doesn't seem to be available, it's likely because tickets have not been published for the next event yet. Pre-reg ticket purchases remain open through the game weekend. You can still check in to the database online before an event. You also have the ability to purchase a ticket at the game site with cash or credit.
-
If you have a player number and pre-registration is open, you can indeed pay using the link on this website and register online before the game as a new player.
-
Any flashlight you bring should be relatively low-powered and have a red colored bulb or gel so that the light itself is red. This helps prevent ruining your own (or someone else's) night vision. Red gels are available in limited quantities at the Post Office.
We have red flashlights for sale at the Post Office at cost for $5. We will have a limited amount, so please try to bring one. These lights are primarily used for safety purposes on the site. They are easily available for online purchase.
-
Some strains are limited for play at Dystopia Rising: Northern California. Check out our Strain Restrictions & Guide page for full information.
-
Yes! We will not attack cabins after midnight on Saturday, and the medical sleep cabin will never be attacked at night.
-
If you absolutely need uninterrupted sleep for medical reasons such as CPAP, please tell us as soon as you can. We will work to arrange a non-combat area for you to sleep that has power through the night. All cabins at EcoCamp Berryessa are equipped with electricity.
-
Each and every player does a NPC block, where they're given roles to act out in the world. You may be put into makeup to be a zombie, or you may be a person interacting in the world.
Before your NPC block, get changed into your generic wasteland clothing (distressed clothing in neutral colors) that's not your character's clothing. Leave your boffer weapons and character costuming where you sleep, preferably covered by a black sheet. Then head over to ops (we'll show you where that is!) with an out-of-game symbol (one fist on top of your head, or wearing a green headband). When you arrive, you'll be briefed on what you're doing.
-
We do not provide food, and while some players make food for in-game currency, we encourage you to bring enough for the weekend. When packing food, consider what looks "genre" for the apocalypse. Get rid of packages and wrappers ahead of time and use cans, mason jars, paper bags, and other materials to disguise modern food. There is a microwave available on site. Bring a cooler for your cold food and please store all your food in the Bear Boxes provided on site. All water available on site is potable.
Please note that the new site is fairly remote, but there is a small gas station truck stop with a well-stocked camp & grocery store about 20 minutes from the site, though they close at 2AM on the weekends.
-
Yes, the designated smoking area is in the vicinity of the Fire Pit.
-
If you want to leave a site for food or an errand run, and you are not for some reason locked into the game space mechanically (CvC Lock), you are welcome to leave at any time. Please remove any pieces of costuming or makeup that might be of concern to non-LARPers in the real world, and leave any weapon props on site or in your vehicle, please.
If you are leaving for the weekend, please check out at the Post Office, complete your clean-up shift, and turn in your character sheet.
-
Please inform someone that you need to leave. If possible, stop at the Post Office to hand us your character sheet and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you before you go.
-
Feel free to contact one of our guides or staff if possible. You are welcome to drop out of game (fist on head) at any time and for any reason if there is a situation that is negatively impacting you out of game . Personal safety is our number one priority. If there is a medical problem or injury, you may call “hold” and seek out one of our Medical Guides. There is always a real-life med kit at the post office, and our Medical Guides are on call during the entirety of the event.
If emergency services need to be called, do so, and notify Chano, Lisa, or Ariel immediately via yourself, another player, or one of our Guides.
-
CvC stands for character vs character, and refers to conflict between the characters of players rather than NPCs or outside threats. CvC is only allowed in the Wasteland zone, unless pre negotiated between players. After initiating CvC (including theft), characters are considered CvC locked and must remain in play for a minimum of 4 hours or until the next 12s, whichever is longer.
Please note that these are just some of the more commonly asked questions. If you have other questions, please email logistics@dystopiarisingnocal.com, or ask our New Player Guides in the Facebook group "Dystopia Rising: Northern California" for more assistance.
What To Bring
Here is a list of items we recommend bringing with you to a Dystopia Rising event. This list is not all inclusive, but this is a good start. You are the best judge of your own comfort and needs. Please consider what additional items you need to take care of yourself, and set the scene for your own sleeping area.
Staff Items
Signed Release Form, game fee (cash or card if you didn’t pre-pay), pens, vaccination card.
Toiletries
Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Dental Floss, Shampoo, Sun Screen, Bug Repellent, Deodorant, Prescription Medications (please register any medical needs with the Directors), Towel.
Basics
A set of strain styled clothing or all black clothing for your Casting Block (NPC Shift). A black sheet to drape over items that are out of game when you are on shift, low strength flashlight with a red light or gel (we will have a limited supply of spare scrounge lights for $5/each), hiking safe drinking vessel, plates and cutlery or a camping mess kit, Sani-Wipes, change of clothes for weather, packets/foam darts (as needed), contact safe weapon(s), bottled water, spare socks.
This site has colder than average California temperatures and high winds due to proximity to the water, so please bring clothing to accommodate for this.
Gear
Sleeping Bag, Pillow, Cot/Air Mattress, Blankets.
Costume
Make sure your costume is not only safe for running, jumping, crashing through the woods, slipping in mud and swinging combat-safe weapons, but also rugged. As the area we will be playing in experiences a variety of temperatures, please be sure to bring multiple layers, including cold weather gear as it gets extremely chilly at night! There is no doubt that at some point during a Dystopia Rising event you could end up with fake blood on you and potentially on your clothes. Do not bring or wear anything to Dystopia Rising that you would be heartbroken to find damaged, stained, or destroyed. Sometimes zombie blood splatters make a costume cooler, since it now has history to it; however, if your costume is something you don’t want stained, then don’t bring it. Dystopia Rising is not responsible for the safety of your property if it is broken or stolen.
Weapon Prop
Whether you're a gun slinger, brawler, or melee fighter, you will want to bring a contact-safe prop with you. You may bring more than one weapon prop as starter weapons to see what you’d prefer playing with! You can also borrow loaner weapons if you need some to try out.