better troll
Larp playtest by Jana Romanova
In this role-playing experience players embody office workers in a digital reputation agency, better known as a “troll factory”. As AI bots are already operating more efficient than human trolls, the last human troll factory is given a chance to adapt to the situation and find a way to be useful in a new world. Not being able to prove themselves on time will cause them loosing a very much needed job, social benefits and their relationships. Employees create brainstorm sessions, try out new ideas, teach and support each other while fulfilling various job tasks to trigger as much emotions on the internet as possible.
The idea is to ironically reflect on the value and cost of being human in a post-human internet. It asks players to explore complicity, self-perception, and the darker side of influence in a world where attention is becoming the most valuable commodity. It is also about
This run is a playtest and a first attempt to see how the game mechanics and the story works, if it’s interesting and insightful to play. It will be raw and unpolished, and after the test, we’ll dedicate some time to discussing what worked and how to make it better. Your participation will help a lot in the development process. (here I may add the relation to the exhibition, waiting for them to respond)
Mood: rather comedy, but also a drama
Number of players: 6-12
Hours: 4
Trigger warnings: While you will not be asked to create hateful or abusive comments from scratch, you will engage with emotionally charged material and practice exaggerating it to provoke reactions. This may feel uncomfortable at times, as it invites you to explore manipulation, negativity, and the darker side of influence — stricktly within the context of the game. By temporarily stepping into the role of a “troll,” you will experience first-hand how influence is manufactured, how complicity operates, and what it means to treat emotions and attention as resources. We hope this creates space for reflection on how we interact online, and on how we can still see ourselves as heroes even when our actions are ethically questionable.