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!

 

[Micah Sweet]

Agree, though I'd put Liam in that category as well. Business wise, it probably makes the most sense for them to stay with D&D with Exandria, launching campaign 4 around the same time as 5.24 releases to take advantage of that hype cycle. Maybe they take a 6 month break in between to play Daggerheart if it's ready, which is no sure thing. In fact, that would be a great way to test their audience and their product to see if it could sustain them breaking away from D&D eventually while not risking their great symbiotic relationship with WotC.

I doubt, for example, that Daggerheart sales in the first few years would come anywhere close to their sales of 5e supplements. If they're really looking to build a competitive alternative to D&D, they're looking at 5 years of work at a minimum. Their stream is popular, but they would need a great system that appeals to more than just their fans and is actually playable by people without S Tier level skill.

Not making Daggerheart and/or Candle Obscura their primary streamed games, to me, represents a lack of faith in their own product. Why make it at all as a gaming livestream company if you're not intending to make it your primary game?

 

[overgeeked]

Yeah, quite frankly this is a disappointment to me. I was hoping we would get something more traditional, especially given Mercer's claims that many styles of gaming are equally valid, having both of their exclusive games fall on the narrative side of the spectrum shows a clear bias towards that style.

“Is a valid playstyle” does not equate to “we like playing that way.” These games are primarily to facilitate their own preferred playstyles. Which they do. And to feature on their streams. Which the do/will.

 

[Micah Sweet]

“Is a valid playstyle” does not equate to “we like playing that way.” These games are primarily to facilitate their own preferred playstyles. Which they do. And to feature on their streams. Which the do/will.

Well as I said, its a real disappointment.

 

[overgeeked]

Agree, though I'd put Liam in that category as well. Business wise, it probably makes the most sense for them to stay with D&D with Exandria, launching campaign 4 around the same time as 5.24 releases to take advantage of that hype cycle. Maybe they take a 6 month break in between to play Daggerheart if it's ready, which is no sure thing. In fact, that would be a great way to test their audience and their product to see if it could sustain them breaking away from D&D eventually while not risking their great symbiotic relationship with WotC.

I doubt, for example, that Daggerheart sales in the first few years would come anywhere close to their sales of 5e supplements. If they're really looking to build a competitive alternative to D&D, they're looking at 5 years of work at a minimum. Their stream is popular, but they would need a great system that appeals to more than just their fans and is actually playable by people without S Tier level skill.

You don’t have to “beat D&D“ to be wildly successful in the RPG industry.

 

[overgeeked]

Well as I said, its a real disappointment.

Because it’s not a game you want to play? Sure, I get that. Doesn’t make it a bad decision on their part though.

 

[OB1]

Not making Daggerheart and/or Candle Obscura their primary streamed games, to me, represents a lack of faith in their own product. Why make it at all as a gaming livestream company if you're not intending to make it your primary game?

For the same reason that any business opens up new verticals, to expand their potential revenue streams by attracting new audience and giving their current audience something else to consume. For example WotC with D&D and MTG.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Because it’s not a game you want to play? Sure, I get that. Doesn’t make it a bad decision on their part though.

No, but not using their own games as a primary stream might be.

 

[Reynard]

No, but not using their own games as a primary stream might be.

it is also possible that the format is changing. Maybe there will be more than one "primary stream" -- or none.

 

[DarkCrisis]

No, but not using their own games as a primary stream might be.

Going to be interesting to see how their RPG games do in sales v see actual play.

 

[overgeeked]

No, but not using their own games as a primary stream might be.

Yes. Making new RPGs and not featuring them on the most popular live play stream would be a mistake. Their own channel is the best possible advertising they could hope for. People hoping CR will primarily stick with D&D are going to be disappointed.