Critical Role
Critical Role business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Critical Role Hits The Road with its The Nerdy Best Friends Tour in 2027
Critical Role has announced its 2027 live show schedule for The Nerdy Best Friends Tour. This tour will feature three different actual play sessions, each with a unique Game Master.
Matthew Mercer To DM Shattered Legends, A New Canon Exandria Mini-Series In Collaboration With Hololive
Critical Role is launching a new canon Exandria mini-series titled Shattered Legends, featuring Matthew Mercer as Dungeon Master. This collaboration with Hololive will utilize the Daggerheart game system for the adventure.
Critical Role's latest D&D episode was so stressful, I discovered a new noise my mouth can make
The author describes the intense stress and emotional reactions experienced during a recent Critical Role Dungeons & Dragons episode, particularly focusing on a critical moment involving player Sam Riegel and his character's near-death experience. The article highlights the dramatic tension and narrative stakes of the actual play series, deeming it highly engaging.
7 developers that will save the video games industry - Reader’s Feature
This reader's feature highlights seven smaller developers, including 11 bit studios, AdHoc Studios, Daniel Mullins Games, Hazelight Studios, Larian Studios, Sandfall Interactive, and Supergiant Games, who are seen as vital to the future of the video game industry. The article praises their innovative approaches to game design and storytelling, contrasting them with the perceived missteps of larger publishers.
What We Played – Culdcept Begins, Tears of Metal & Halo: Campaign Evolved
Several writers share their recent gaming experiences, including Culdcept Begins, Granblue Fantasy Relink, and a modded Elden Ring. Others have revisited Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, played new titles like Tears of Metal and Shards of Order, and explored classics on the AYN Thor. Remakes like Metal Gear Solid Delta and Halo, along with previews of 1666: Amsterdam, are also discussed.
Dispatch devs share storytelling and co-dev secrets
Adhoc Studios' narrative game 'Dispatch' has become a surprise hit, praised for its superhero story and development process. Co-directors Nick Herman and Dennis Lenart share insights into their interactive storytelling techniques and the challenges overcome during development, including a last-minute investor dropout that was resolved with help from Critical Role.
I had my doubts about Critical Role's new 13-player D&D campaign, but its latest episodes have me fully bought…
This article discusses Critical Role's ambitious 13-player Dungeons & Dragons campaign, praising its ability to manage multiple storylines and player tables. The author highlights the recent episodes where all parties converged, noting the successful implementation of legitimate character death and consequences, which solidifies the campaign's stakes and potential for a masterpiece.
D&D-inspired Critical Role's homegrown videogame is coming along well, says Laura Bailey: 'There's a…
Laura Bailey, a voice actor for Critical Role, has provided an update on the development of the franchise's homegrown video game, stating that progress is being made. The game, based in the Exandria setting, is being developed in partnership with AdHoc. Bailey indicated that while she cannot share many details, the project is actively moving forward.
Critical Role Celebrates Daggerheart One-Year Anniversary with New Actual Play, Age of Umbra: Sallowlands
Critical Role is celebrating the one-year anniversary of their tabletop RPG, Daggerheart, with a new actual play series titled Age of Umbra: Sallowlands. The six-part miniseries, set in the dark fantasy world of the Halcyon Domain, will be streamed weekly starting July 9th and features a cast including Matt Mercer, Marisha Ray, Jennifer English, Abubakar Salim, Vico Ortiz, and Zachary Renauldo. Darrington Press is also releasing commemorative events and an expansion for Daggerheart.
Critical Role finally releases a full-scale map of Campaign 4's main city, and I'm deeply jealous to not have their personal cartographer at my table
Critical Role has released a detailed, full-scale map of Dol-Makjar, the central city for their fourth campaign. The map, created by artists Daniel Jiménez Villalba and Andy Law, helps visualize the campaign's political intrigue and the city's rugged verticality. The author expresses envy for the production value compared to personal tabletop experiences.
Gayming Awards 2026 Reveals Hosts, Guests, And Early Award Winners
The Gayming Awards 2026 will celebrate queer geek culture on June 8, hosted by Erika Ishii and Dawn. Trixie Mattel will receive the LGBTQ+ Content Creator Superstar Award, and Darion Lowenstein will be honored with the Gayming Icon Award for his work in authentic LGBTQ+ representation in gaming. The event will feature various segments, including a D&D-style scene, a ranking of video game characters, a custom PC build giveaway, and a reunion of the 'Gaymer Guys'.
IGN Live 2026 Partner Lineup to Include The Legend of Vox Machina and More
IGN Live 2026 has revealed its partner lineup for the June event, featuring titles such as The Legend of Vox Machina Season 4, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, and PowerWash Simulator 2. The convention will also showcase new trailers and demos for games like ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies and Deep Dish Dungeon, with the latter launching day one on Xbox Game Pass. The event will take place from June 6 to June 7 in Los Angeles.
One Of My Favorite TTRPGs Is Kicking Butt On Kickstarter
The tabletop role-playing game Nimble, originally a D&D 5e ruleset, has evolved into its own system and is currently exceeding its Kickstarter goals for a reprint and expansion. Designer Evan Diaz highlights the system's speed and simplicity, with new content including a monster book, creator's kit, and additional character classes like the Artificer and Psion. Diaz emphasizes a focus on maintaining the system's scope and avoiding complexity creep as it grows.
Critical Role Announces New General Manager of Beacon, Alyssa Zeisler
Critical Role has appointed Alyssa Zeisler as the new General Manager for its streaming platform, Beacon. Zeisler, a veteran digital media executive formerly of Hallmark Media, will oversee product roadmaps, content strategy, and community building for Beacon, aiming to make it the gold standard for direct-to-consumer TTRPG platforms.
