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!

 

[Jaeger]

they will create a game that will naturally play at the table in the style that they play on the stream.

Agreed. And this was the point I thought that I was making.

Obviously, I was a bit more obscure than intended.

that can be perfectly reasonable though, if CR start playing a game they do not know the rules of, that might affect their enjoyment of it

True enough.

Although according to some critics, some CR cast members still don't know the 5e rules all that well...

As for "rich character options/crunch", that doesn't necessarily have to slow down a game at all. I'd say, for example, that Spire: The City Must Fall has "rich character options", and compared to a lot of modern TTRPGs and BitD/PtbA-based games it does have quite a lot of crunch - yet in practice often runs even faster than many of those. In fact a lot of Grant Howitt's game designs generally lean that way - not that he's involved with this, but his work shows it can be done.

That will be the key: Speed of play at the table.

Which is why I'm curious to see Mercer's execution.

 

[overgeeked]

Although according to some critics, some CR cast members still don't know the 5e rules all that well...

It’s evident by watching the show. Which is one thing making me hopeful it will be a lighter system. They want their crew to be able to play it without a hitch. Which, to me, suggests something several notches lighter mechanically.

 

[Parmandur]

maybe you are right, I do not watch CR one way or the other. I just figured that watching eg a chess match becomes pretty meaningless if you do not know the rules. I agree CR does less so, but I am not sure it is not affected at all.

Watching people play an RPG is not much like watching Chess or poker.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

My oldest kid probably watches an hour or more a day of chess videos, so ...

 

[Parmandur]

My oldest kid probably watches an hour or more a day of chess videos, so ...

Awesome! Pretty different viewing experience from people playing D&D, unless the Chess players pend moat if their time shopping in character.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Awesome! Pretty different viewing experience from people playing D&D, unless the Chess players pend moat if their time shopping in character.

Chess videos tend to be videos of matches from Chess.com with snarky commentary by the YouTuber in question. So it's extremely nerdy stand-up, essentially.

 

[Parmandur]

Chess videos tend to be videos of matches from Chess.com with snarky commentary by the YouTuber in question. So it's extremely nerdy stand-up, essentially.

Well, that sounds delightful.

 

[Jaeger]

Chess videos tend to be videos of matches from Chess.com with snarky commentary by the YouTuber in question. So it's extremely nerdy stand-up, essentially.

And now for the most benign RPG forum thread derail of all time...

For great Chess commentary, I highly recommend your kid take a look at the 'C-Squared Podcast' on youtube.

Caruana, and Chirila dish out serious A-level commentary. Their recap coverage of the recent WCC was fantastic. It's rare that someone of Fabi's level runs through a game, breaking it down, while still making the super-GM thought process accessible to the lesser mortals.

The have some great interviews, and Chess news coverage as well.

 

[aramis erak]

that can be perfectly reasonable though, if CR start playing a game they do not know the rules of, that might affect their enjoyment of it

The most common question I've been asked by parents showing up to RPG nights at the store with their middleschooler kids is, "Are they expected to act as well as the Critical Role crew?"
CR has created a lot of "Is this too high a bar for my kid?" parental worry.

Fortunately, most parents ask.

 

[overgeeked]

CR tweeted this. Most of the cast and various people related to the company have retweeted with a candle emoji.


The fans are split between it being Ten Candles or Illuminated Worlds. Considering GenCon is when these new CR games hit the street, a pre-release stream might be an amazing way to market the game. Here’s to hoping it’s good.