Tabletop Adaptations - What works and what doesn't when adapting an IP to the game table?

Tabletop Adaptations - What works and what doesn't when adapting an IP to the game table?

Author: Josh Varty and Kristoffer Hansen March 27, 2026 Duration: 42:11

This week we delve into the world of... worlds! What needs to be in place for a successful adaptation of your favorite smutty romantasy series? Why does Magic's Universes Beyond piss us off so much? What are some games that have gotten it very right?


In No Plot, Only Lore, hosts Josh Varty and Kristoffer Hansen settle in for a conversation that feels like pulling up a chair at a familiar table. Their focus is the intricate, often messy, and deeply rewarding world of collaborative storytelling games, examining them not as rulebooks to be won but as frameworks for shared imagination. Each episode digs into the craft behind these experiences-how a setting’s history shapes a character’s decision, why a particular game mechanic fosters better stories, or what it means to build a narrative together without a predetermined endpoint. You’ll hear two seasoned practitioners reflect on the subtle art of being a player and a guide, discussing the tools and philosophies that transform a simple game night into a memorable saga. This podcast is for anyone who has ever gotten lost in a character’s backstory or spent more time discussing a campaign’s lore than actually rolling dice. It’s a thoughtful, meandering, and personal look at the stories we tell when we play, offering insights that resonate long after the session ends. Join Josh and Kristoffer for a deep, comfortable dive into the heart of why we gather to imagine together.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 93

No Plot, Only Lore
Podcast Episodes
Your Premise Doesn't Matter: Anime, Star Wars, Airbud, and D&D [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:40
Josh and Kris dive into the secret to great storytelling: taking absurd concepts seriously. They discuss the silly anime premise of More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers, the "tits and fight" genre, and how movies l…
100 Men vs. 1 Gorilla: Setting the Fight's Absurd, NSFW Rules [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:54
TW: SA, bestiality... Yes, really...Look, this one got away from me for real. I'm an improviser - I'll yes-and anything. But this shit got real weird and stayed in that space for a while. This is the first time I've ever…