What is a Freeform/Live action role-playing game?

Freeform is an Australian specific term. Live Action Role-Playing Game, or LARP, as it is commonly known, is an international term. Most gamers of the current generation assume they are both the same thing. In fact, a Freeform is not actually the same as a LARP. A Live Action Roleplaying Game is a form of role-playing game where the participants perform some or all of the physical actions of the characters they play the role of. In a Freeform, players rarely physically perform actions of their characters, and the emphasis is on character interaction and roleplaying rather than immediate physical immersion into the role. LARPs are usually game system driven, such as White Wolfs Camarilla, whereas Freeforms rarely use a standard published game system; instead opting for systems devised for the specific game or campaign, being usually very loose rules.

Freeform Basics

In character vs. Out of character
In classic RPGs a player usually frames the words or actions of his or her character with introductory statements such as "My character says..." or "My character does..." In a freeform, since the actions of a player become the actions of the character, little distinction is made between the actions a player takes as himself, (out of character, or OOC actions) and actions a player takes as his character (in character, or IC actions). Players have to be mindful of what they are saying and doing during play.

Physical vs. Symbolic combat
In classic RPGs conflicts are usually resolved with complicated systems using charts, graphs, and dice to produce a random outcome. In Freeforms, many players feel that dice-based systems interrupt the flow of the game, and use a variety of creative methods to replace them.

The standard LARP method to resolve combat is to use actual physical combat. Boffer weapons, usually made of PVC with foam-rubber coating, are used in many such systems in order to ensure safety. The object is never to hurt the opponent, but to score hits, which deal fake damage often quantified based on the type of weapon used in the attack. Where applicable, players of magic-using characters throw "spell-packs" at opponents - usually small bean bags. Yes, this really happens. But it is thankfully rare in Australia.

Freeforms use symbolic combat. Sometimes a system like Odds and Evens or Rock, Paper, Scissors, where two players throw hand symbols to generate a random outcome, is employed. In other cases, cards or dice are used, although one major advantage of symbolic combat is that you don't need any physical objects to do it. Another benefit of symbolic systems like this is that many more conflicts besides physical combat can potentially be resolved using symbolic methods.

What other Freeforms are there besides Age of Aquarius?
The Age of Aquarius Combat System