PODCAST

No Plot, Only Lore

Josh Varty and Kristoffer Hansen

Two old men talking about the art and craft of collaborative storytelling games.

leisure games

All Episodes

40:35

Too Much Lore: Sumo 2, Fatter and Sassier

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2026/02/28

We’re back with part two of our deep dive into Sumo history! This episode covers the transformation of the sport from the Meiji era to today. We discuss the formalization of the Yokozuna rank, the impact of international wrestlers on Japanese tradition, and the fascinating, messy politics of the JSA. Don’t miss this look at the world’s most intense, high-speed game of chess.

51:07

Too Much Lore: Sumo Part 1

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2026/02/20

Join Josh and Kris on No Plot, Only Lore as they dive into the surprising world of professional Sumo—a sport Josh argues is the "purest representation" of physical will. This episode explores how Sumo transcends being a mere sport, functioning as a 2,000-year-old Shinto ritual deeply rooted in Japanese history and samurai culture.We break down the unique "stable" lifestyle where wrestlers live communally under a "stable master" who acts as a father figure. Discover the intricate traditions that

36:45

AI Re-revisited: Gray Ooze and the Enshittification...

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2026/02/13

In this episode of No Plot, Only Lore, Josh and Kris dive deep into the "gray ooze" currently flooding the internet: Generative AI. What started as a potential tool for busy DMs has quickly spiraled into a self-fulfilling loop of mediocrity that threatens the very heart of collaborative storytelling.The guys pull no punches as they discuss:The "Enshittification" of RPGs: Why AI-generated content is mathematically designed to be average, and how it’s paving over the weird, human foibles that make

43:55

AI Revisited: The Turd in the Digital Pool

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2026/02/06

The Honeymoon Phase is Over.This week, Josh and Kris revisit their stance on Generative AI. While early adoption promised a reduction in cognitive load for DMs, the reality has shifted toward a "net negative" across nearly every metric. From the environmental impact of data centers to the "enshittification" of search results, the hosts break down why the "word guessing machine" is failing the people it promised to help.Topics covered include:The Admission: Kris publicly admits Josh was right about

46:58

Darkest Dungeon Board Game Disaster: Why Kickstarter...

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2026/01/30

In this episode of No Plot Only Lore, Josh and Chris dive into the recent collapse of the Darkest Dungeon board game by Mythic Games. We discuss the $5 million failure, the "wave two" cancellation, and the broader crisis facing tabletop crowdfunding.Topics covered:The Darkest Dungeon Debacle: How overconfidence and poor math led to one of the biggest Kickstarter flops in recent history.The "Infinite Kickstarter" Trap: Why companies like Tasty Minstrel Games (TMG) failed by using new projects to fund

37:15

Kickstart Your Life - The Impact of Kickstarter on...

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2026/01/23

Josh and Kris talk about Kickstarter, the good, the bad, the really bad, and Exploding Minions.

48:19

The Walled Garden - The Open Gaming License, History...

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2026/01/16

We're back! We're doing audio and video now like a couple-a lunatics! We're doing a deep dive on the open gaming license and its impact on the entire tabletop RPG world, and we're blaming it on Kevin Siembieda! Not really. Maybe a little.

29:52

December Sads

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/12/12

Look, December low-key sucks when it comes to a lot of things, and gaming is no different. But it doesn't have to suck completely! Come hang out with us and we'll talk about it.

38:20

Winter Celebrations (That Aren't Christmas!) in...

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/12/05

This week Josh and Kris take a look at some of the non-Christmas winter traditions around the world and discuss ways that those traditions could be utilized in your own games, as well as starting a conversation about how holidays mark the passing of time for a people.

52:32

Best TTRPG Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | Lancer,...

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/11/28

Josh and Chris for their second annual Holiday Gift Guide dedicated to the coolest tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) and accessories for 2023.Hear their takes on the year's biggest releases and hottest picks, including the tactical giant mech RPG Lancer, the Critical Role-backed Daggerheart, and the OSR darling Mythic Bastion Land.Plus, get recommendations for:TTRPG Books: Dive into the Cosmere RPG (Stormlight) Starter Set and the hilarious goofball game Pigeons 11.Accessories: Explore Hexbound

35:01

Attention Economy and TTRPGs: Are We Krill in the...

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/11/21

Hosts Josh and Kris tackle the Attention Economy and its uncomfortable role in the TTRPG space. From recognizing their place as "krill" in the same ecosystem as giants like Critical Role to debating whether the attention economy is "evil," they discuss how DMs can use its tricks—like rewarding quiet moments (the Mrs. Pots dinner scenario)—to keep players engaged and honor their time, without resorting to constant chaos. Plus, a tangent on Telltale's Dispatch and terrible modeling advice from

31:12

The Ecology of Goblins: Deconstructing 'Goblin Mode'...

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/11/14

What is the difference between Goblin Mode and Goblin Core? Dive into the ecology of the internet's most feral archetype. We explore why embracing your inner "cozy swamp creature" is a coping mechanism for millennial burnout and the pressure of perfect adulting.

31:07

The Problem With Progress: OPR's Sentient Bugs and...

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/11/07

One Page Rules (OPR) started as a quick, simple alternative to Warhammer 40,000, but now it’s charting its own path with unique lore. The results? A minefield of mixed audience reactions.In this episode, we dive into the difficulties OPR faces transitioning from a '40k knock-off' to an original game system, and how the inherent differences in audience expectations—especially those conditioned by the constant feedback loop of the internet—make that transition so volatile

38:49

Anime Powers for TTRPGs: Can Groundhog Day Death &...

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/10/31

Welcome back to No Plot Only Lore! This week, your hosts Josh and Chris dive deep into the most chaotic and complex anime powers to figure out how to import them into your favorite TTRPG (like Dungeons & Dragons). If you love D&D mechanics, worldbuilding, and outlandish character concepts, this episode is for you.We break down the rules and roleplaying challenges of:The Social Credit Hero: A power set based entirely on a character's popularity and public trust. What happens to a superhero's

37:03

Cringe: Why Sincerity Still Matters at the Gaming Table

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/10/24

Why does sincerity make us squirm? This episode of No Plot, Only Lore dives into the strange magic of cringe—how vulnerability, irony, and emotional safety shape our play. From dice rolls to deep feelings, we explore why pretending like you mean it might be the bravest move at the table.

19:27

Archeogaming: How Archeology and Tabletop Games...

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/10/17

In this episode we go over some rough concepts for how archeology and tabletop gaming interact, and how this new area of study (which currently focuses on video games) might be brought more fully into the tabletop world.

41:21

Bring out the Clowns: Humor at the Table

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/10/10

Probably the least funny discussion about comedy ever had by two relatively witty people. Also, we have a patreon now! www.patreon.com/noplotonlylore

40:49

Ludonarrative Dissonance

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/10/03

Time to get real pretentious with it again! Buckle up! Talking about the friction that takes place between a game's mechanics and that game's story, and how that impacts the art of gaming in general.

37:37

Campaign Aftercare

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/09/26

How do you make sure your players are ready to re-enter reality after the campaign is over?

32:46

Playing With Yourself

No Plot, Only Lore ·

2025/09/19

This week we talk about board games you can play all by your lonesome!

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