Panda's Talking Games

PTG 377 – Book Inspiration

Jan 29, 2025
Discover how reading fuels creativity in tabletop gaming! The hosts discuss translating literary themes into game mechanics while preserving player agency. They dive into the nuances of the Locked Tomb series and the challenges of adapting rich narratives like the Dresden Files. Enjoy humorous anecdotes about game development struggles and memorable pop culture moments. Get ready for a delightful blend of storytelling inspiration and lighthearted banter!
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Goose Girl Game

  • Senda's attempt to create a Dungeons & Dragons adventure based on The Goose Girl fairy tale was unsuccessful.
  • She attributes the failure to a misunderstanding of adapting external media into a playable game.
ANECDOTE

Inspiration Examples

  • Phil once ran a Star Wars campaign inspired by Gone With the Wind, focusing on a star system's divided loyalties.
  • He also based his Long Live the Queen game on Bruce Sterling's short story Mozart in Mirror Shades.
ADVICE

Specificity Spectrum

  • When adapting books, consider the level of specificity: exact emulation, similar experience, or just tropes.
  • The desired level influences system choice: generic, toolbox, or custom-built.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app