Work
Magical Help Desk
Maker Intramersive Media · Work date 2020 · Medium video call · Role work · Experienced by the compiler 2020-07-16
Description
"You're about to start your first shift as Tier 1 Tech Support at the Magical Help Desk. Choose which of 3 possible help tickets and see if you can help them solve their magical tech problems." A one-on-one LARP with live interaction, delivered over Zoom. Players receive "onboarding materials and a new hire manual" before the session. Tagged comedy, sci-fi, immersive, participatory, solo; ages 13+.
Source. https://everythingimmersive.com/events/magical-help-desk
On the medium. Delivered on Zoom but audio-only in practice — it could have been run by telephone.
ZOOM, not telephone. Matches your phone works on every axis except channel — the cleanest control in the set.
Anatomy
Thirteen criteria after Lauren R. Beck. Each carries a source grade: M maker-confirmed, P published, F first-hand, I inferred by the compiler, ? not yet established. Definitions are on the anatomy page.
- Participants listen through headphonesnoI
Delivered over Zoom with no headphone requirement stated; audio-only in practice.
- Participants move through space as part of the worknoI
A seated Zoom shift at a help desk; nothing directs the participant to move.
- Audio technology is necessaryyesI
The session is live spoken interaction over Zoom, audio-only in practice, so removing sound ends it.
- Site-, situation- or language-specificnoI
The listing names no required place, circumstance or language; the help desk is fictional.
- Engages with the history of a sitenoI
A fictional magical help desk, not a real place with documented events.
- Created for an urban environmentnoI
A video call presupposes a connection, not city infrastructure.
- Created as an artwork other than theateryesP
The listing frames it as "a one-on-one LARP" with players and tickets to work — live-action role-play, a game form.
- Intended to be understood as theaterunknown?
The listing uses LARP, player and event vocabulary with no show, performance, audience or house language, which does not settle the question.
Did you experience this? Tell us - Accidental real-world sights and sounds are importantunknown?
The listing does not address the participant's surroundings.
Did you experience this? Tell us - Spectator must participateyesP
"Choose which of 3 possible help tickets and see if you can help them solve their magical tech problems."
- Has live performers other than the participantsyesP
Described as "a one-on-one LARP with live interaction."
- Involves game playyesI
A chosen ticket, a manual of procedures, an objective of solving the problem and a solved/unsolved outcome.
- Uses props other than the listening deviceunknown?
Onboarding materials and a new hire manual are sent beforehand, but neither their physical form nor their use during the session is established.
Did you experience this? Tell us
3 of thirteen are still unknown for this work. If you experienced it, you can settle them in a minute.