2026 Policy Update Surrounding Do Not Interact (DNI) Agreements
In order to better serve our community and game staff, we are making an update to our policy around Do Not Interact (DNI) agreements. There will be a standalone page where this and any other local policies will live, and this post will be updated with a link when that page is updated and published.
BACKGROUND
As directors for a chapter of a nationwide LARP, the staff members have two primary, complementary objectives that we are always trying to facilitate and improve upon:
Running exciting and engaging events with smoothness and consistency in operation and frequency
Maintaining a healthy community of players to engage with each other both IC and OOC
When action needs to be taken because of something that disturbs either of these objectives, one tool that we have is Corrective Actions. The levels of response are standardized across the Dystopia Rising Live Network and are respected across chapters, such that the more stringent actions taken to address the most problematic or law-concerning circumstances that occur in one chapter could require an inquiry from another chapter if the player in question attends a different game.
Historically, and thankfully, Dystopia Rising: Colorado has had to deal with very few of these cases.
Another tool that we have used are DNIs, or Do Not Interact agreements (also sometimes called NCAs or No Contact Agreements). When regarding a disagreement between two players that, usually, has nothing to do with IC or game play interaction or anything requiring Corrective Action, that the players have been unable to resolve on their own, a DNI agreement is written up. The understanding of that agreement, that the two players avoid interactions with each other while at game, is reciprocal (two-way), even though the desire for such agreements is usually not reciprocal.
CONCERNING DO NOT INTERACT AGREEMENTS
DNI agreements are not a network standard. Most chapters do not have them, and those that do vary in how they implement and enforce them. For Dystopia Rising: Colorado, the original intent was that these agreements were to be the very limit for which directors would be involved with disagreements between players that do not have anything to do with running events or the safety of the community, and should not be disruptive to the community or its events.
In practice, however, DNI agreements have been very disruptive to both of the directors’ primary objectives. Issues that have arisen from facilitating DNIs include difficulties in scheduling NPC shifts, frustration about being in the same encounters and modules, the spreading of rumors, and general confusion or misunderstanding of how DNIs should be handled by staff or guides.
THE UPDATE
Going forward, in order to facilitate our primary objectives, we are phasing out the DNI process and the few existing DNI agreements still in force at Dystopia Rising: Colorado.
This may feel like we’re no longer interested in player disagreements and aren’t going to be dealing with them anymore. This is the opposite of the intent behind our decision, and we are willing and ready to facilitate and mediate discussions between players that have disagreements when they are ready to have those discussions. DNIs as they were originally put into practice prevented us from properly handling these disagreements, while simultaneously forcing us to reckon with any disruptions in a less than ideal way. We would rather take the time to understand the disagreement early and facilitate a more amicable resolution, rather than spend time later and constantly having to tiptoe around the unsettled dispute; i.e., we will facilitate discussions between players on terms that we feel are best for the mental wellbeing of the directors and the health of the community overall. We also believe that facilitating these conversations will better enable us to focus on our primary objectives.
Please note: The DNI agreements going away does not mean any previously established boundaries defined by those agreements no longer exist. If participants still wish to get game staff involved in an issue unrelated to the game with other players, there will be a Dispute Discussion Request form available.
The phasing out of DNI processes is the only change we are making. Community and event safety will always be and continue to be a top priority for the directors, and we will employ Corrective Actions — including Refusal of Service — as needed when a player’s actions jeopardize or threaten that safety. We will also share this information with other Colorado LARPs and event runners as necessary without hesitation so they can be informed to make the right decisions.
in conclusion
Thank you for continuing to support Dystopia Rising: Colorado. We hope that the extra attention that we’ll pay towards disagreements between participants will contribute towards a stronger and welcoming community for all who wish to attend.
Dystopia Rising: Colorado Returns to FAN EXPO 2025
Before we get to our news, we want to wish you a safe and happy Pride Month!
Dystopia Rising: Colorado alongside our friends at Alliance LARP Colorado will be returning to FAN EXPO Denver this year on July 3rd to July 6th at Colorado Convention Center. Will you join us?
FAN EXPO Denver is our game’s #1 opportunity every year to bring new folks into the community. Signups are now open here for volunteering at the event. Player volunteers are the beating heart that keep our efforts at the con running smoothly. Plus, you’ll get to chat with potential new players about your experiences with playing Dystopia Rising.
There are opportunities for everyone to shine as a volunteer at the event regardless of your skillset. Whether you want to run tabletop modules, wander around as a quest-giving NPC, or train rookie fighters in the boffer ring — there’s something for everyone! Signups are by the half-day — with a 9am to 2pm and a 2pm to 7pm shift. Please don’t commit to a shift if you cannot be there on time as coordinating the handout of con badges is always a challenge. Priority will be given to full-day signups.
What’s in it for you if you turn up? Participants will get CAPs, and you can double dip with your Alliance character to get Goblin Stamps, Dragon Stamps, Silver Scales, and more. You will also enjoy a free badge into the event for the shifts you volunteer with ample opportunity to wander the floor, as well as a free bag lunch each day of FAN EXPO. Sounds like a pretty good deal.
What are you waiting for? Fill out our participation form today.
Epic Day Of Service! Work Day at Camp Tumbleson Lake
Join us at Camp Tumbleson Lake on Saturday, May 17th for Rotary Club’s “Epic Day of Service.” This volunteer work event will help to get some of the YMCA camp’s facilities ready for the summer camp season and our events there starting in August. You’ll also get a preview of the repairs and improvements that have been completed in anticipation of the 2025 season. There will be many volunteers there from various groups, including Alliance LARP Colorado, and this is also a great opportunity for all for skill-building, networking, and marketing Dystopia Rising Live.
Last year we had about a dozen volunteers from just Dystopia Rising: Colorado, and more from the local LARP community. Over a hundred volunteers repaired and painted railings and picnic benches, cut out deadfall, scouted site boundaries, and prepared lunch.
BONUS to all DR players: as part of a network-wide initiative to give back to the campsites that host us, all participants who show up to this Epic Day will receive 10 XP for one character or ALL characters for those with Advanced Membership. These will count against the 25 XP limit for the month of May 2025, and each player can receive the reward from at most one Work Day offered by all of the chapters across the network.
If you also play Alliance LARP Colorado, you may also receive rewards for participation as well.
Be sure to sign up here and we’ll see you then.