Story Adaptation
As a lifelong roleplaying enthusiast, I've always been fascinated by the creativity of the hobby. One of the most thrilling elements of preparing for a game is constructing a vivid, immersive world for players to explore. To achieve this, many gamemasters and game designers, including myself, turn to a wide array of sources for inspiration. These sources include popular novels, television shows, movies, and other media. This essay aims to dig into the art of "idea mining" from these non-roleplaying materials and explore how they can be skillfully adapted to enhance our fantasy roleplaying scenarios.
The importance of adapting various media into roleplaying settings lies in its ability to enhance the depth and authenticity of the experience. It not only provides a reservoir of ideas for plots, characters, and settings but also helps in creating a shared frame of reference among players, making the roleplaying experience more engaging and relatable. This essay will guide fellow gamemasters on how to identify suitable elements from their favorite media, and how to transform these elements in ways that fit seamlessly into the mechanics and spirit of their roleplaying games. In sharing insights and methods for this creative process, I hope to empower others to broaden their narrative horizons and craft truly unique roleplaying experiences.
This edition uses simpler language and includes more tips and examples. The previous version's faux-academic tone and humor didn't quite land, so we've made it more accessible and straightforward.
Navigating This Book
This sourcebook is totally optional. You don’t need it to play any of our games, but it’s here to spice things up if you want. It’s also system-neutral, so feel free to throw its elements into any other roleplaying system. Need some help converting things? Check the notes at the end of the book. And if you want a deeper dive, grab the Lightspress Handbook which is pay-what-you-want (which for most people means free) wherever you got this.
This Book Includes
Concepts: Start with the basics of Idea Mining, where you'll learn how to generate creative ideas from varied sources. We'll show you how to identify and use suitable materials effectively.
Identifying Suitable Materials: Discover how to select media that will work well for your adaptations. This section provides criteria and examples, making it easier to apply these principles to your own work.
Elements to Extract: Explore the essential components you can borrow from other media, including story arcs, conflicts, characters, locations, and themes. You'll find examples to inspire your creative process.
Adaptation Techniques: Learn how to adapt the extracted elements into your setting. This section covers methods for incorporating story arcs, characters, locations, and themes while maintaining the integrity of your narrative.
Practical Tips: Find actionable advice on collaborative storytelling, flexibility in adaptations, and the tools and resources that can support your creative efforts.
Conclusion: Reflect on the benefits of using outside materials, encouraging you to experiment while staying true to the core essence of your story.
Reference: Access quick guides on traits, conversion methods, and a glossary to support your understanding and application of the content.
The Simple Approach
To understand this book, you need to know the context in which it was written and the philosophy that runs through it. At its core, The Simple Approach emphasizes the elements that truly matter in roleplaying: narrative depth, character complexity, and player agency. While plenty of systems are still obsessed with combat, loot, and grinding, we know roleplaying can be so much more. This system is all about immersive storytelling, meaningful choices, and characters you actually care about. Whether you're uncovering espionage secrets, solving a gripping mystery, or diving into the complexities of romance, The Simple Approach offers a fresh take on traditional genres like fantasy, science fiction, and horror, along with modern and underserved ones like crime, dark academia, and espionage.
Narrative-Based Mechanics
At the heart of The Simple Approach are narrative-based mechanics that are easy to learn and designed to grow with you as you play. They let you tweak what’s here and even add things we haven’t thought of yet. The journaling system replaces those one-size-fits-none character sheets, giving gamemasters a flexible tool for organizing worldbuilding, adventure design, and session notes. Every character, setting, and adventure becomes a unique creation shaped by your choices.
Seamless Integration and Flexibility
The Simple Approach isn’t just a standalone system. You can blend it seamlessly with other Lightspress publications to create one-of-a-kind experiences or bring elements from other systems into your Lightspress game. If you want to use our material with your favorite system or setting, go for it. The free conversion notes in the Lightspress Handbook give you the flexibility to play how you want.
Our Philosophy
We believe the true essence of roleplaying happens around the table, where creativity and collaboration come alive. It’s not about a book, a brand, or a company. It’s about the people playing together, creating something special. Our focus on cooperation, interaction, and investigation ensures that every session is more than just a game; it’s a journey filled with compelling adventures and meaningful connections. We stand by our belief that the heart of roleplaying is found in shared experiences and stories crafted by the players. This philosophy drives everything in The Simple Approach and underpins our commitment to delivering content that champions the true spirit of roleplaying, free from superficial constraints.
Commitment to Creative Freedom
This philosophy also guides our belief that creators should own their work and not be beholden to licensing terms that only benefit fickle corporations. We draw inspiration from historical, mythological, and literary sources, tapping into our shared heritage to fuel creative exploration. We maintain full copyright ownership, ensuring that our work stays independent and true to our vision. Using style guides to keep a cohesive voice and narrative structure, we deliver exceptional content free from external influences, preserving the integrity and creative standards of our work.
Accessible and Affordable Roleplaying
We’re committed to keeping our games affordable so that more people can enjoy them. Our focus isn’t on producing overstuffed, expensive books filled with art to collect dust on a shelf. We’re here to create material meant to be played, not displayed. You won’t find us chasing awards or turning our games into glorified coffee-table books. Our goal is to facilitate roleplaying, pure and simple, keeping the price points low so you can focus on the game, not your wallet.
Stay Connected and Join Us
If you’re tired of the same old grind and ready to try something that actually respects your input, then The Simple Approach is calling your name. We’re not just offering a game. We’re inviting you to join a movement, a way of playing that values your time, creativity, and agency.
For more on The Simple Approach and our unorthodox take on roleplaying, visit lightspress.com. Subscribe to our newsletter, The Manifesto, for updates on new releases, roleplaying advice, and a healthy dose of our opinions. If you’re ready to embrace something different, download the free Lightspress Handbook—your guide to what we’re all about.
154 pages. PDF and epub files included.
As a lifelong roleplaying enthusiast, I've always been fascinated by the creativity of the hobby. One of the most thrilling elements of preparing for a game is constructing a vivid, immersive world for players to explore. To achieve this, many gamemasters and game designers, including myself, turn to a wide array of sources for inspiration. These sources include popular novels, television shows, movies, and other media. This essay aims to dig into the art of "idea mining" from these non-roleplaying materials and explore how they can be skillfully adapted to enhance our fantasy roleplaying scenarios.
The importance of adapting various media into roleplaying settings lies in its ability to enhance the depth and authenticity of the experience. It not only provides a reservoir of ideas for plots, characters, and settings but also helps in creating a shared frame of reference among players, making the roleplaying experience more engaging and relatable. This essay will guide fellow gamemasters on how to identify suitable elements from their favorite media, and how to transform these elements in ways that fit seamlessly into the mechanics and spirit of their roleplaying games. In sharing insights and methods for this creative process, I hope to empower others to broaden their narrative horizons and craft truly unique roleplaying experiences.
This edition uses simpler language and includes more tips and examples. The previous version's faux-academic tone and humor didn't quite land, so we've made it more accessible and straightforward.
Navigating This Book
This sourcebook is totally optional. You don’t need it to play any of our games, but it’s here to spice things up if you want. It’s also system-neutral, so feel free to throw its elements into any other roleplaying system. Need some help converting things? Check the notes at the end of the book. And if you want a deeper dive, grab the Lightspress Handbook which is pay-what-you-want (which for most people means free) wherever you got this.
This Book Includes
Concepts: Start with the basics of Idea Mining, where you'll learn how to generate creative ideas from varied sources. We'll show you how to identify and use suitable materials effectively.
Identifying Suitable Materials: Discover how to select media that will work well for your adaptations. This section provides criteria and examples, making it easier to apply these principles to your own work.
Elements to Extract: Explore the essential components you can borrow from other media, including story arcs, conflicts, characters, locations, and themes. You'll find examples to inspire your creative process.
Adaptation Techniques: Learn how to adapt the extracted elements into your setting. This section covers methods for incorporating story arcs, characters, locations, and themes while maintaining the integrity of your narrative.
Practical Tips: Find actionable advice on collaborative storytelling, flexibility in adaptations, and the tools and resources that can support your creative efforts.
Conclusion: Reflect on the benefits of using outside materials, encouraging you to experiment while staying true to the core essence of your story.
Reference: Access quick guides on traits, conversion methods, and a glossary to support your understanding and application of the content.
The Simple Approach
To understand this book, you need to know the context in which it was written and the philosophy that runs through it. At its core, The Simple Approach emphasizes the elements that truly matter in roleplaying: narrative depth, character complexity, and player agency. While plenty of systems are still obsessed with combat, loot, and grinding, we know roleplaying can be so much more. This system is all about immersive storytelling, meaningful choices, and characters you actually care about. Whether you're uncovering espionage secrets, solving a gripping mystery, or diving into the complexities of romance, The Simple Approach offers a fresh take on traditional genres like fantasy, science fiction, and horror, along with modern and underserved ones like crime, dark academia, and espionage.
Narrative-Based Mechanics
At the heart of The Simple Approach are narrative-based mechanics that are easy to learn and designed to grow with you as you play. They let you tweak what’s here and even add things we haven’t thought of yet. The journaling system replaces those one-size-fits-none character sheets, giving gamemasters a flexible tool for organizing worldbuilding, adventure design, and session notes. Every character, setting, and adventure becomes a unique creation shaped by your choices.
Seamless Integration and Flexibility
The Simple Approach isn’t just a standalone system. You can blend it seamlessly with other Lightspress publications to create one-of-a-kind experiences or bring elements from other systems into your Lightspress game. If you want to use our material with your favorite system or setting, go for it. The free conversion notes in the Lightspress Handbook give you the flexibility to play how you want.
Our Philosophy
We believe the true essence of roleplaying happens around the table, where creativity and collaboration come alive. It’s not about a book, a brand, or a company. It’s about the people playing together, creating something special. Our focus on cooperation, interaction, and investigation ensures that every session is more than just a game; it’s a journey filled with compelling adventures and meaningful connections. We stand by our belief that the heart of roleplaying is found in shared experiences and stories crafted by the players. This philosophy drives everything in The Simple Approach and underpins our commitment to delivering content that champions the true spirit of roleplaying, free from superficial constraints.
Commitment to Creative Freedom
This philosophy also guides our belief that creators should own their work and not be beholden to licensing terms that only benefit fickle corporations. We draw inspiration from historical, mythological, and literary sources, tapping into our shared heritage to fuel creative exploration. We maintain full copyright ownership, ensuring that our work stays independent and true to our vision. Using style guides to keep a cohesive voice and narrative structure, we deliver exceptional content free from external influences, preserving the integrity and creative standards of our work.
Accessible and Affordable Roleplaying
We’re committed to keeping our games affordable so that more people can enjoy them. Our focus isn’t on producing overstuffed, expensive books filled with art to collect dust on a shelf. We’re here to create material meant to be played, not displayed. You won’t find us chasing awards or turning our games into glorified coffee-table books. Our goal is to facilitate roleplaying, pure and simple, keeping the price points low so you can focus on the game, not your wallet.
Stay Connected and Join Us
If you’re tired of the same old grind and ready to try something that actually respects your input, then The Simple Approach is calling your name. We’re not just offering a game. We’re inviting you to join a movement, a way of playing that values your time, creativity, and agency.
For more on The Simple Approach and our unorthodox take on roleplaying, visit lightspress.com. Subscribe to our newsletter, The Manifesto, for updates on new releases, roleplaying advice, and a healthy dose of our opinions. If you’re ready to embrace something different, download the free Lightspress Handbook—your guide to what we’re all about.
154 pages. PDF and epub files included.
As a lifelong roleplaying enthusiast, I've always been fascinated by the creativity of the hobby. One of the most thrilling elements of preparing for a game is constructing a vivid, immersive world for players to explore. To achieve this, many gamemasters and game designers, including myself, turn to a wide array of sources for inspiration. These sources include popular novels, television shows, movies, and other media. This essay aims to dig into the art of "idea mining" from these non-roleplaying materials and explore how they can be skillfully adapted to enhance our fantasy roleplaying scenarios.
The importance of adapting various media into roleplaying settings lies in its ability to enhance the depth and authenticity of the experience. It not only provides a reservoir of ideas for plots, characters, and settings but also helps in creating a shared frame of reference among players, making the roleplaying experience more engaging and relatable. This essay will guide fellow gamemasters on how to identify suitable elements from their favorite media, and how to transform these elements in ways that fit seamlessly into the mechanics and spirit of their roleplaying games. In sharing insights and methods for this creative process, I hope to empower others to broaden their narrative horizons and craft truly unique roleplaying experiences.
This edition uses simpler language and includes more tips and examples. The previous version's faux-academic tone and humor didn't quite land, so we've made it more accessible and straightforward.
Navigating This Book
This sourcebook is totally optional. You don’t need it to play any of our games, but it’s here to spice things up if you want. It’s also system-neutral, so feel free to throw its elements into any other roleplaying system. Need some help converting things? Check the notes at the end of the book. And if you want a deeper dive, grab the Lightspress Handbook which is pay-what-you-want (which for most people means free) wherever you got this.
This Book Includes
Concepts: Start with the basics of Idea Mining, where you'll learn how to generate creative ideas from varied sources. We'll show you how to identify and use suitable materials effectively.
Identifying Suitable Materials: Discover how to select media that will work well for your adaptations. This section provides criteria and examples, making it easier to apply these principles to your own work.
Elements to Extract: Explore the essential components you can borrow from other media, including story arcs, conflicts, characters, locations, and themes. You'll find examples to inspire your creative process.
Adaptation Techniques: Learn how to adapt the extracted elements into your setting. This section covers methods for incorporating story arcs, characters, locations, and themes while maintaining the integrity of your narrative.
Practical Tips: Find actionable advice on collaborative storytelling, flexibility in adaptations, and the tools and resources that can support your creative efforts.
Conclusion: Reflect on the benefits of using outside materials, encouraging you to experiment while staying true to the core essence of your story.
Reference: Access quick guides on traits, conversion methods, and a glossary to support your understanding and application of the content.
The Simple Approach
To understand this book, you need to know the context in which it was written and the philosophy that runs through it. At its core, The Simple Approach emphasizes the elements that truly matter in roleplaying: narrative depth, character complexity, and player agency. While plenty of systems are still obsessed with combat, loot, and grinding, we know roleplaying can be so much more. This system is all about immersive storytelling, meaningful choices, and characters you actually care about. Whether you're uncovering espionage secrets, solving a gripping mystery, or diving into the complexities of romance, The Simple Approach offers a fresh take on traditional genres like fantasy, science fiction, and horror, along with modern and underserved ones like crime, dark academia, and espionage.
Narrative-Based Mechanics
At the heart of The Simple Approach are narrative-based mechanics that are easy to learn and designed to grow with you as you play. They let you tweak what’s here and even add things we haven’t thought of yet. The journaling system replaces those one-size-fits-none character sheets, giving gamemasters a flexible tool for organizing worldbuilding, adventure design, and session notes. Every character, setting, and adventure becomes a unique creation shaped by your choices.
Seamless Integration and Flexibility
The Simple Approach isn’t just a standalone system. You can blend it seamlessly with other Lightspress publications to create one-of-a-kind experiences or bring elements from other systems into your Lightspress game. If you want to use our material with your favorite system or setting, go for it. The free conversion notes in the Lightspress Handbook give you the flexibility to play how you want.
Our Philosophy
We believe the true essence of roleplaying happens around the table, where creativity and collaboration come alive. It’s not about a book, a brand, or a company. It’s about the people playing together, creating something special. Our focus on cooperation, interaction, and investigation ensures that every session is more than just a game; it’s a journey filled with compelling adventures and meaningful connections. We stand by our belief that the heart of roleplaying is found in shared experiences and stories crafted by the players. This philosophy drives everything in The Simple Approach and underpins our commitment to delivering content that champions the true spirit of roleplaying, free from superficial constraints.
Commitment to Creative Freedom
This philosophy also guides our belief that creators should own their work and not be beholden to licensing terms that only benefit fickle corporations. We draw inspiration from historical, mythological, and literary sources, tapping into our shared heritage to fuel creative exploration. We maintain full copyright ownership, ensuring that our work stays independent and true to our vision. Using style guides to keep a cohesive voice and narrative structure, we deliver exceptional content free from external influences, preserving the integrity and creative standards of our work.
Accessible and Affordable Roleplaying
We’re committed to keeping our games affordable so that more people can enjoy them. Our focus isn’t on producing overstuffed, expensive books filled with art to collect dust on a shelf. We’re here to create material meant to be played, not displayed. You won’t find us chasing awards or turning our games into glorified coffee-table books. Our goal is to facilitate roleplaying, pure and simple, keeping the price points low so you can focus on the game, not your wallet.
Stay Connected and Join Us
If you’re tired of the same old grind and ready to try something that actually respects your input, then The Simple Approach is calling your name. We’re not just offering a game. We’re inviting you to join a movement, a way of playing that values your time, creativity, and agency.
For more on The Simple Approach and our unorthodox take on roleplaying, visit lightspress.com. Subscribe to our newsletter, The Manifesto, for updates on new releases, roleplaying advice, and a healthy dose of our opinions. If you’re ready to embrace something different, download the free Lightspress Handbook—your guide to what we’re all about.
154 pages. PDF and epub files included.