A spoof decontamination system for the StAlkErS Filmsim events
The StAlkErS Decontamination Pods are a mandatory checkpoint system designed for live-action roleplay events set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. They sit at the boundary between the hostile game world and the safe trading zone, forcing every returning player to pass through a ritualised decontamination sequence before re-entering society.
Each pod runs a short, high-impact scan cycle combining sound, animation, and public verdicts. Players step inside, wait out the sequence, and receive a clear pass or fail outcome displayed on large animated LED matrices. Success allows them to continue as normal. Failure sends them directly to the in-world doctor, where treatment comes at a cost using the event’s bullet-based currency.
The system is intentionally simple. Three pods operate in parallel, allowing high throughput without queues, while still creating visible tension and entertainment for onlookers. The process is non-negotiable, non-skippable, and framed entirely through fiction rather than admin intervention.
Under the hood, the pods are driven by a central controller with minimal operator input. Outcomes are determined pseudo-randomly, creating unpredictability, superstition, and emergent social behaviour among players without giving the operator absolute control.
The result is a functional piece of game infrastructure that enforces pacing, supports narrative authority, and turns a necessary reset mechanic into a memorable shared experience.
