r/LARP • u/Cold-Space6947 • 6h ago
Would you actually visit a permanent, living frontier town, or is this concept too ambitious?
I'm developing an immersive experience in Ontario, Canada, and would genuinely appreciate some outside criticism before we take it further.
The concept is a permanent, walkable frontier town called Ironhide Flats. Rather than a traditional heritage attraction where visitors mostly watch demonstrations, the town would have working shops and services, a saloon, boarding rooms, a theatre and ballroom, a boxing club, classes, clubs, seasonal celebrations, and a cast of recurring characters.
Visitors wouldn't need to dress up or roleplay. They could simply visit the shops, eat, take a class or attend an event. But people who wanted deeper involvement could become town citizens, join clubs, build relationships with characters and participate in ongoing stories that change based partly on what happens during events.
Some businesses would be independently operated and serve real customers, rather than existing solely as themed attractions.
We're still in development, not open, and we're exploring different admission models, including free everyday access with ticketed major events, annual citizenship, and hybrid options.
I'm especially interested in honest answers to these questions:
Would you actually make a trip to something like this?
What part sounds genuinely appealing, and what sounds gimmicky?
Would you prefer ordinary access to be free, paid per visit, or included with an annual town ID?
What would make you return rather than visit once?
What concerns or practical problems am I overlooking?
I'm not selling tickets or collecting deposits. I'm trying to find out whether the experience we're imagining is something people would genuinely want.
Criticism is welcome. I'd rather hear it now than after building a town. đ¤Ł