Critical Role Announces Two New RPGs

Critical Role’s publishing arm, Darrington Press, has released a ‘State of the Press’ video announcing two new tabletop RPGs.

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Two new RPG systems we’ll be releasing: Illuminated Worlds, optimized for short story arcs and adaptable to myriad settings, and Daggerheart, a fresh take on fantasy RPGs with emphasis on longer campaigns and rich character options.

At Gen Con this year, you’ll be able to play AND purchase Queen by Midnight, and you’ll even be able to take our two upcoming RPGs for a spin. We hope to see you there!

 

[EthanSental]

I’m with @Parmandur, CR didn’t make 5e any more popular, more quickly. First episode was June 2015, 9-10 months after release and its viewers back then as it built its audience wasn’t big as it was still finding its feet and growing its viewers. I didnt know about it until episode 30ish after a thread on here. 30 episodes is like 30 weeks give or take so another 9 months out. Did CR help 1.5 years out after 5e release, to get reach more potential buyers, sure but 5e by that time and by the quarter it had came out was rolling back to number 1 and picking up steam.

 

[agrayday]

I know they are improve, voice actor types, but does every announcement of something need to be a skit? (yeah i understand it could be part of their "brand" charm/identity, but its tiring).

Anyone have any background on the RPG designers mentioned?

Illuminated Worlds RPG
Designer: Stras Acimovic (Off Guard Games - Worked on "Scum & Villaney", "Band of Blades".)
Designer: Layla Adelman (2019 Enny winner for The Stygian Library, Dying Stylishly Games.)

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I know they are improve, voice actor types, but does every announcement of something need to be a skit?

Do you know any actors? You're lucky it didn't feature a tap dance number.

 

[Parmandur]

Do you know any actors? You're lucky it didn't feature a tap dance number.

That's allowed under the OGL now. Throw in some puppets.

 

[mamba]

Two new RPG systems we’ll be releasing: Illuminated Worlds, optimized for short story arcs and adaptable to myriad settings, and Daggerheart, a fresh take on fantasy RPGs with emphasis on longer campaigns and rich character options.

Interesting. I think they kinda have to play their own game(s) to give them some exposure, so the next season should be Daggerheart.

Any idea what Daggerheart is, is it in the recent line of 5e clones or actually its own system?

 

[mamba]

That proves my point: 1-2 million is a fraction of Beyond's user base. I'm not pitting any shade on Critical Role, I'm a Critter myself. But CR definitely didn't cause 5E's success, nor is there any way it can be construed as a primary driver when 5E has a much larger audience still.

For what it's worth I got interested in 5e before ever hearing of CR, still have not watched a single episode and never will. I am certain they helped, as do so many others. Stranger Things probably helped more than CR.

Looks like CR took off from Feb 2019 to May 2020, by then 5e was pretty established already.

CriticalRole - Statistics

Twitch CriticalRole statistics and charts of activity, monthly concurrent viewers, views and followers growth.

twitchtracker.com

 

[Parmandur]

For what it's worth I got interested in 5e before ever hearing of CR, still have not watched a single episode and never will. I am certain thy helped, as do so many others. Stranger Things probably helped more than CR.

Don't get me wrong, CR has been a positive factor for D&D, but it's part of the trend, not the cause.

 

[mamba]

Don't get me wrong, CR has been a positive factor for D&D, but it's part of the trend, not the cause.

I know, some others seem to mistake it for the cause though

 

[SkidAce]

Yeah, it's not even D&D.

Currently it is.

In the future....???

 

[jerryrice4949]

I don’t think WoTC is worried. They can advertise on and promote other streamers if they need to, could even bankroll competition entirely if they wanted. If the updated D&D does well Critical Roll will probably find their way back to it.