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.

​

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!

 

[OB1]

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.

Or it could be a huge mistake for them to drop the worlds most popular role playing game as their primary live stream system. Again, don't know why this has to be one or the other.

 

[DarkCrisis]

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.

I’ve said for a long time they need another constant show. Keep CR as D&D and then have another show on say Monday Nights that’s their game.

One time I was hoping they’d play like Shadowrun or something but alas…

 

[Micah Sweet]

Or it could be a huge mistake for them to drop the worlds most popular role playing game as their primary live stream system. Again, don't know why this has to be one or the other.

As I said, if they don't make their own games the primary stream of their own company, they are demonstrating a lack of faith in their own product.

 

[Reynard]

As I said, if they don't make their own games the primary stream of their own company, they are demonstrating a lack of faith in their own product.

Or simply a realistic view.

 

[overgeeked]

Or it could be a huge mistake for them to drop the worlds most popular role playing game as their primary live stream system. Again, don't know why this has to be one or the other.

CR isn't popular because they play D&D. CR is popular because of the cast and how they play. D&D actively fights against their style of play in a lot of ways.

I’ve said for a long time they need another consultant show. Keep CR as D&D and then have another show on say Monday Nights that’s their game.

One time I was hoping they’d play like Shadowrun or something but alas…

They're only human, have careers outside of CR, have lives and families outside of CR, and there's only so much time in the day.

As I said, if they don't make their own games the primary stream of their own company, they are demonstrating a lack of faith in their own product.

Exactly. "Here we made this game that we love so much we want you all to play it...but we're not going to play it ourselves."

Nah. They want the games to sell, they'll play them on their stream. Most CR fans are there for the people at the table not the logo on the game system they play.

Or simply a realistic view.

In what way?

 

[Reynard]

In what way?

They know -- everyoen knows -- that their new game is not going to unseat 5E is popularity and that a significant portion of their audience cares that they are playing 5E. Look at the viewership between 5E and non-5E games. It is about an order of magnitude.

 

[Micah Sweet]

They know -- everyoen knows -- that their new game is not going to unseat 5E is popularity and that a significant portion of their audience cares that they are playing 5E. Look at the viewership between 5E and non-5E games. It is about an order of magnitude.

So why make the games? A lot of time and money goes into creating an RPG, let alone in publishing it, let alone two of them.

 

[Jer]

So why make the games? A lot of time and money goes into creating an RPG, let alone in publishing it, let alone two of them.

You could say that about literally every game company that exists that isn't Wizards.

They're likely making it because they want to make it, they can make it, and they think they'll at least break even on it or hopefully make a profit on it. It doesn't need to unseat D&D as the most popular RPG on the planet - or even come close to its numbers - to be a successful RPG.

 

[Reynard]

So why make the games? A lot of time and money goes into creating an RPG, let alone in publishing it, let alone two of them.

Because the goal isn't "beat D&D." What a strange question to ask, especially for someone who is often proselytizing for LevelUp. Morrus knew he wasn't going to beat D&D with LevelUp, but he found it worth doing anyway.

 

[DarkCrisis]

On the plus side, if it’s gets a bunch of 5E only CR fans to try something else, that’s a win.

People need to branch out more. Fantasy and D&D aren’t the only games in town (though easier to find a group for)