No Plot, Only Lore

Josh Varty and Kristoffer Hansen
  • 5.0 (1)
  • GAMES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. AI Revisited: The Turd in the Digital Pool

    2D AGO

    AI Revisited: The Turd in the Digital Pool

    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 the "AI bubble". The Tech Cycle: Late adoption vs. the "new toy" syndrome. Art Theft: Evaluating the "British Museum" argument for AI training. Linguistic Limits: Why English is a "hoarder language" and how "burstiness" keeps AI detectors effective. The DM’s Craft: Why the "lonely fun" of manual world-building remains an essential, deeply human artistic act.

    44 min
  2. Darkest Dungeon Board Game Disaster: Why Kickstarter is Killing Tabletop Companies

    JAN 30

    Darkest Dungeon Board Game Disaster: Why Kickstarter is Killing Tabletop Companies

    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 old debts.Brick & Mortar vs. Digital Noise: The vital role of local game stores as filters for quality in an era of social media hype and AI-generated shovelware.Success as a Double-Edged Sword: How overextending through stretch goals and secondary locations can sink even established brands.Wormwood’s Pivot: Why industry leaders are moving away from the "perpetual Kickstarter" model toward sustainable retail. Visit us at: www.noplotonlore.com Listen on: All major podcast platforms. Rate, review, and share if you enjoy the show!

    47 min
  3. Kickstart Your Life - The Impact of Kickstarter on the Tabletop Gaming Space

    JAN 23

    Kickstart Your Life - The Impact of Kickstarter on the Tabletop Gaming Space

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

    37 min

  4. JAN 16

    The Walled Garden - The Open Gaming License, History and Future

    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.

    48 min
  5. December Sads

    2025-12-12

    December Sads

    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.

    30 min
  6. Winter Celebrations (That Aren't Christmas!) in Tabletop Role-playing Games

    2025-12-05

    Winter Celebrations (That Aren't Christmas!) in Tabletop Role-playing Games

    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.

    38 min
  7. Best TTRPG Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | Lancer, Daggerheart & Dice!

    2025-11-28

    Best TTRPG Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | Lancer, Daggerheart & Dice!

    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 aluminum dice, beautiful Dispels astral thread dice, gorgeous notebooks from Rook & Raven, and detailed minis from Arch Villain Games.Stocking Stuffers: Discover dry-erase condition rings, initiative trackers, and the Twice Dead King (Warhammer 40k) omnibus. If you're shopping for the D&D player, role-playing gamer, or TTRPG enthusiast in your life, you need this guide! Available on all podcast platforms and at noplotonly.com.

    53 min
  8. Attention Economy and TTRPGs: Are We Krill in the Critical Role Pond?

    2025-11-21

    Attention Economy and TTRPGs: Are We Krill in the Critical Role Pond?

    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 grandmothers.

    35 min
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Josh Varty and Kristoffer Hansen
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Josh Varty and Kristoffer Hansen
  • Show Website
    No Plot, Only Lore