It was founded by James D'Amato to showcase a wide variety of games and systems, including indie role-playing games, as an alternative to actual play shows that focus exclusively on Dungeons & Dragons.

D'Amato typically runs a self-contained actual play of a different game system each week, with occasional multi-episode storylines.

Em Friedman for Polygon recommended One Shot as one of the best actual play podcasts that don't use DnD.

[7] In 2023, fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss collaborated with One Shot to produce an actual play series set in the world of The Kingkiller Chronicle.

The Broadswords was an all-women and non-binary Dungeons & Dragons actual play show with a focus on storytelling and inclusivity.