Darrington Press Explained

Darrington Press
Parent:Critical Role Productions
Founders:-->
Country:United States
Distribution:International
Publications:Tabletop games, books
Genre:Fantasy

Darrington Press is the tabletop game imprint for Critical Role Productions which launched in October 2020. It is led by Ivan Van Norman with Matthew Mercer as the creative advisor. The publishing label primarily produces board and card games along with role-playing games. It won two ENNIE Awards in 2022 – "Fan Award for Best Publisher" and "Best Setting Gold Award" for Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn.[1]

The publishing label is named after the fictional player character Taryon Darrington played by Sam Riegel in Critical Role's first campaign who, in-universe, published a book on his exploits with the adventuring party Vox Machina.[2]

History

In October 2020, Critical Role Productions announced a "new board and card game" imprint called Darrington Press; it is led by Ivan Van Norman with Matthew Mercer as the creative advisor.[3] ICv2 commented that "Critical Role has broadly influenced tabletop gaming since splitting from Geek & Sundry in 2018".[4] During the launch, Van Norman stated, "Darrington Press is not looking to utilize crowdfunding for any game releases".[5] Darrington Press initially announced a slate of four upcoming games: Uk'otoa, Critical Role Adventures, Syndicult, and Guardians of Matrimonia. Uk'otoa released in May 2021 with mixed reviews; IGN called it a "solid first impression for what Darrington Press will offer in future games" while Polygon called it a "Critical Role bauble" with unfun gameplay.[6] [7]

In January 2022, Darrington Press released the campaign setting sourcebook Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn which is a revised edition of the out of print Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting sourcebook published by Green Ronin Publishing.[8] In March 2022, the imprint released more development details on both Syndicult and Guardians of Matrimonia.[9] In June 2022, A Familiar Problem was released for Free RPG Day.[10]

In March 2023, Darrington Press published the two player board game Till the Last Gasp which received mostly positive reviews.[11] [12] [13] The label also announced that they would reprint two out of print Critical Role art books in 2023: The Chronicles of Exandria Vol. I: The Tale of Vox Machina (2017) and The Chronicles of Exandria Vol. 2: The Legend of Vox Machina (2018).[14] [15]

The imprint's first "State of the Press" in April 2023 released updates on previously announced games and revealed new games in development; this included two new roleplaying game systems – Illuminated Worlds for short campaigns and Daggerheart for longer campaigns – which were scheduled to have a public playtest during Gen Con in August 2023. The announcement stated that while Guardians of Matrimonia, being redesigned by Banana Chan and Yeonsoo Julian Kim, and Syndicult are still in development, Critical Role Adventures is now on indefinite hold. Charlie Hall, for Polygon, stated that "Darrington Press has had mixed success so far with its creations" and commented that Illuminated Worlds was "perhaps the most interesting of the three new products" announced given co-designer Layla Adelman's background as "an accomplished game developer" who is also a member of the Off Guard Games team which has produced titles such as "the well-regarded Band of Blades and Scum and Villainy". Christian Hoffer of ComicBook.com called the announcement of new fantasy role-playing game systems "notable" since "Critical Role has a massive built-in audience of TTRPG fans, so a good fantasy genre TTRPG offering could make a major splash in the Dungeons & Dragons-dominated TTRPG market. Additionally, many have wondered whether Critical Role would potentially switch to an in-house TTRPG system for a future campaign, thus breaking away from Dungeons & Dragons altogether".[16]

In May 2023, Critical Role Productions announced a new monthly horror–themed actual play web series titled Candela Obscura which will use the Illuminated Worlds System. Darrington Press released the Candela Obscura Quickstart Guide on May 25, the show's premiere date, which introduces both the Candela Obscura campaign setting and the game system.[17] [18] Darrington Press also ran gameplay sessions of Candela Obscura at Gen Con before the release of the Candela Obscura Core Rulebook in November 2023.[19]

The open beta playtest of Daggerheart began on March 12, 2024; this playtest was made available at select game stores, as a PDF or on Demiplane via the Daggerheart Nexus. The Nexus edition includes digital character creation tools.[20]

Games

Darrington Press games are set both inside and outside of Critical Role's Exandria setting.[21]

TitleTypeDesignersPublication
Released
Uk'otoaSemi-cooperative card gameJeb Havens, Gabriel HicksMay 27, 2021[22]
Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting RebornCampaign setting book for Exandria (Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition)Matthew Mercer, Hannah Rose, James HaeckJanuary 18, 2022[23]
A Familiar ProblemOne-page roleplaying gameGrant Howitt, Marisha RayJune 25, 2022[24]
Till The Last GaspTwo player (PvP) board gameWill Hindmarch, Alex RobertsMarch 14, 2023[25] [26]
Candela Obscura Quickstart GuideBasic rules for the Candela Obscura setting (Illuminated Worlds system)Taliesin Jaffe, Chris Lockey, Spenser Starke, Rowan HallMay 25, 2023
Queen by MidnightBattle royale deck-building gameKyle ShireAugust 22, 2023[27] [28]
Caper Cards: Bell's HellsBlackjack style card game Manny VegaOctober 10, 2023[29] [30]
Candela Obscura Core RulebookCampaign setting book for Candela Obscura (Illuminated Worlds system)Spenser Starke, Rowan HallNovember 14, 2023[31]
For the Queen 2ECard-based story-building gameAlex RobertsMay 14, 2024[32]
Upcoming
-Critical Role AdventuresCooperative legacy-lite campaign gameTBA
Guardians of MatrimoniaCooperative deck card gameBanana Chan, Yeonsoo Julian Kim2024
DaggerheartD12 roleplaying game system for long campaignsSpenser Starke2025[33]
Illuminated WorldsD6 roleplaying game system for short campaignsStras Acimovic, Layla Adelman[34]
SyndicultModern magic roleplaying game[35] [36]

Reviews

Charles Theel, in his review of Uk'otoa for Polygon, wrote: "The good news is that, as a visually attractive curio, this product makes a great collector's item. The bad news is that the gameplay itself isn't all that much fun. [...] I was hoping for a design that captured some of the feel of friction-heavy board game classics, such as Lifeboats or Survive: Escape From Atlantis, dressed up in the trappings of Exandria. What I got was a Critical Role bauble which can chew up a half hour of time. Sadly, anyone seeking out a truly noteworthy tabletop experience is better off looking elsewhere".[37] However, Tommy Williams of GeekTyrant viewed it as "a fun game" with "very interesting" gameplay; Williams called Uk'otoa "a great start to Darrington Press’ library". Theel, Williams and Jonathon Dornbush of IGN all commended the visual design of the game with Dornbush stating, "the card and box art offers a beautiful interpretation of the titular serpent and the nautical setting, the deck tiles offer a solid base that conveys a bit of the worn nature the ship is probably in, and the meeples, as mentioned before, offer a bespoke, adorable terror that suits the scene. And the game's centerpiece, the Uk'otoa mini, is impressively detailed".

Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn was the Gold Winner for the 2022 ENNIE Awards in the "Best Setting" category.[38] [39] Chris King, for Polygon, called the sourcebook "The Silmarillion of campaign settings" and commented that the Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn is over 150 pages longer than the original edition; it includes updates to various factions in the world along with new threats and organizations.[40] King concluded that "despite not being a truly system agnostic book, this is an incredibly well-realized world filled to the brim with interesting characters and stories to tell. Even if it just ends up sitting on your coffee table to peruse during regular Thursday-night livestreams, Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn is well worth the $49.99 price tag". Benjamin Abbott, for GamesRadar+, commented that "Tal'Dorei Reborn reminds me of the lavish, encyclopaedic companion books for franchises like Lord of the Rings and Star Wars that I used to obsess over as a kid".[41] He wrote that the book is worth purchasing — "even if you're not a huge fan of Critical Role, it'll impress with its skillful worldbuilding and overall design-quality. Indeed, it's rather lavish and looks fantastic. Sure, I enjoyed our last look at the world of Exandria in Explorer's Guide to Wildemount. But this is a step up in many ways, and I'm eager to dig in more".

A Familiar Problem, written by Grant Howitt and Marisha Ray, was included in Polygon's "Free RPG Day" roundup. Charlie Hall, for Polygon, wrote: "now that I've had a chance to get a look at it I'm really impressed. It has all the charm I've come to expect of the crew of actual play stars, and all the randomness and open-ended design that Howitt's work is known for. It's the perfect ice breaker for an event like Free RPG Day, or perhaps for your next regular at-home game".[42]

Theel, in his review of Till The Last Gasp for Polygon, wrote that the game "bleeds potential. This is a singular design which offers a structured yet story-oriented tabletop experience that pulls from traditional board games as well as indie RPGs. [...] After the misstep of Uk'otoa, I'm frankly shocked at how effective and moving this game manages to be". Linda Codega of Io9 stated that the game "is a well-designed, tightly focused two-person game that is a love letter to the most dramatic of showdowns across media. [...] Till the Last Gasp's greatest strength and greatest weakness is that it is exactly what you make it". They highlighted that "although the mechanics are what move the story forward, arguably the roleplaying is the far more important part of the game, even as it has no traditional mechanical value. And when Till the Last Gasp is played in earnest, it is a lively, low-pressure game that allows for immediate investment and clear resolutions". Andrew Stretch, for TechRaptor, viewed it as both a "completely unique game" and "a fantastic game of short-form collaborative roleplay". However, James van Tonningen of Gaming Trend viewed it as "an empty shell of a game" that "fundamentally misunderstands why people enjoy roleplaying games". van Tonningen wrote that "what Till the Last Gasp has done is make a fighting game with no way to track damage done, a combat simulator where both players pause and soliloquise their intentions, and a roleplaying game where the dice are rolled, but have no impact. It’s a drama school assignment masquerading as a high-stakes duel".

In a review of For the Queen 2E, Jenny Melzer of CBR commented that "One thing that Critical Role and Darrington Press have always done well is work within the gaming community. Their respect for creators, including game designers and artists, shines through in this game, just as it has with each of the others they've produced since their founding in 2020" [emphasis in the original]. Melzer highlighted that "partnering with Darrington Press gives the game stunning new visuals, more question cards, and all new packaging that makes it perfect for grab-and-go games".[43]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022 Results – ENNIE Awards . 2023-05-31 . en-US.
  2. Web site: Sheehan . Gavin . 2020-10-27 . Critical Role Launches New Publishing Wing Darrington Press . 2023-04-20 . bleedingcool.com . en . 2023-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420201415/https://bleedingcool.com/games/critical-role-launches-new-publishing-wing-darrington-press/ . live .
  3. Web site: Dornbush. Jonathon. October 27, 2020. Critical Role Announces New Board Game Publishing Label, Darrington Press; 4 Games Planned for 2021. October 27, 2020. IGN. October 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201029150541/https://www.ign.com/articles/critical-role-announces-new-board-game-publishing-label-darrington-press-4-games-planned-for-2021. live.
  4. Web site: October 28, 2020 . Critical Role Ventures into Tabletop Publishing . 2023-04-20 . . en . 2023-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420200924/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46835/critical-role-ventures-tabletop-publishing . live .
  5. Web site: Hoffer. Christian. October 27, 2020. Critical Role to Publish Their Own Board Games and Tabletop RPGs. 2020-10-27. ComicBook.com. en. 2020-10-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20201030030438/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-dungeons-dragons-darrington-press-board-games/. live.
  6. Web site: Review: UK'OTOA is a Solid First Board Game from CRITICAL ROLE's Darrington Press . 2023-04-20 . GeekTyrant . 10 June 2021 . en-US.
  7. Web site: Dornbush . Jonathon . 2021-05-28 . Check Out Uk'otoa, the First Board Game From Critical Role's Darrington Press . 2023-04-20 . IGN . en . 2023-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420194016/https://www.ign.com/articles/check-out-ukotoa-the-first-board-game-from-critical-roles-darrington-press . live .
  8. Web site: July 22, 2021 . Critical Role Announces Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn . 2021-07-23 . ComicBook.com . en . 2022-01-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220119183746/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-taldorei-campaign-setting-reborn/ . live .
  9. Web site: Chancey . Tyler . 2022-03-21 . New TTRPG From Matt Mercer Syndicult Sneak Peek . 2023-04-20 . TechRaptor . en . 2023-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420195052/https://techraptor.net/tabletop/news/new-ttrpg-from-matt-mercer-syndicult-sneak-peek . live .
  10. Web site: Comments . Gavin Sheehan . 2022-06-02 . Critical Role's Darrington Press Announces Free RPG Day Project . 2023-04-20 . bleedingcool.com . en . 2023-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230416224134/https://bleedingcool.com/games/critical-roles-darrington-press-announces-free-rpg-day-project/ . live .
  11. Web site: 2023-03-17 . Till the Last Gasp Is a Two-Player Duel of Missteps and Drama . 2023-04-20 . Gizmodo . en . 2023-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230416213048/https://gizmodo.com/till-the-last-gasp-review-board-game-critical-role-1850237418 . live .
  12. Web site: Stretch . Andrew . 2023-03-14 . Till The Last Gasp Review . 2023-04-20 . TechRaptor . en . 2023-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420200255/https://techraptor.net/tabletop/reviews/till-last-gasp-review . live .
  13. Web site: van Tonningen . James . 2023-03-14 . Till the Last Gasp review — Missing the point . 2023-04-20 . GAMING TREND . en-US . 2023-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420200304/https://gamingtrend.com/feature/reviews/till-the-last-gasp-review-missing-the-point/ . live .
  14. Web site: March 17, 2023 . Art Book Announcement: The Chronicles of Exandria Vol. I: The Tale of Vox Machina – Darrington Press . April 20, 2023 . Darrington Press . en-US . Press release . April 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420213202/https://darringtonpress.com/art-book-announcement-chronicles-of-exandria/ . live .
  15. Web site: Sheehan . Gavin . March 18, 2023 . Critical Role's The Chronicles Of Exandria Vol. I To Be Re-Released . April 21, 2023 . Bleeding Cool . en . April 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230421044458/https://bleedingcool.com/pop-culture/critical-roles-the-chronicles-of-exandria-vol-i-to-be-re-released/ . live .
  16. Web site: Hoffer . Christian . April 20, 2023 . Critical Role Announces Two New RPG Systems . April 20, 2023 . . en . April 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230421024329/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-announces-two-new-rpg-systems/ . live .
  17. News: Hoffer . Christian . May 9, 2023 . Critical Role Announces Candela Obscura, New Ongoing TTRPG Series and Game . en . ComicBook.com . May 9, 2023 . May 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230509162504/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-candela-obscura-ongoing-ttrpg-series-illuminated-worlds/ . live .
  18. Web site: Stretch . Andrew . May 9, 2023 . Critical Role Announces Horror Series Candela Obscura, First To Use Illuminated Worlds System . May 9, 2023 . TechRaptor . en . May 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230509164123/https://techraptor.net/tabletop/news/critical-role-announces-horror-series-candela-obscura-first-to-use-illuminated-worlds . live .
  19. Web site: May 9, 2023 . Announcing Our New TTRPG: Candela Obscura . May 9, 2023 . Darrington Press . en-US . Press release . May 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230509165702/https://darringtonpress.com/announcing-our-new-ttrpg-candela-obscura/ . live .
  20. Web site: Stretch . Andrew . 2024-02-28 . Critical Role's Daggerheart Announces Open Beta Playtesting Date . 2024-02-28 . TechRaptor . en.
  21. Web site: Destito. Deanna. 2020-10-27. The world of Critical Role expands with DARRINGTON PRESS. 2020-10-27. The Beat. en-US. 2020-10-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20201031112428/https://www.comicsbeat.com/critical-role-darrington-press-ivan-van-norman/. live.
  22. News: Sheehan . Gavin . Critical Role Announces Darrington Press' Inaugural Game: Uk'otoa . May 12, 2021 . bleedingcool.com . Bleeding Cool . May 12, 2021 . BCMay21 . May 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210512193711/https://bleedingcool.com/games/critical-role-announces-darrington-press-inaugural-game-ukotoa/ . live .
  23. Web site: Hoffer. Christian. January 18, 2022. Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn Review: New Threats and Intrigue Emerge. January 18, 2022. ComicBook.com. en. January 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118130906/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/taldorei-reborn-campaign-setting-guide-critical-role-dungeons-dragons-review/. live.
  24. Web site: Sheehan . Gavin . 2022-06-02 . Critical Role's Darrington Press Announces Free RPG Day Project . 2022-06-25 . Bleeding Cool News And Rumors . en . 2022-06-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220625023731/https://bleedingcool.com/games/critical-roles-darrington-press-announces-free-rpg-day-project/ . live .
  25. Web site: Theel . Charles . March 15, 2023 . Critical Role's Till the Last Gasp straddles the line between board game and RPG . March 15, 2023 . Polygon . en-US . March 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315180240/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23641281/critical-role-board-game-till-the-last-gasp-review . live .
  26. Web site: Sheehan . Gavin . March 15, 2023 . Critical Role's Darrington Press Releases Till The Last Gasp . March 15, 2023 . Bleeding Cool . en . March 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315130138/https://bleedingcool.com/games/critical-roles-darrington-press-releases-till-the-last-gasp/ . live .
  27. Web site: Hall . Charlie . April 20, 2023 . Critical Role is branching out from D&D by publishing two new RPG systems . April 20, 2023 . Polygon . en-US . April 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420160611/https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/23691117/critical-role-new-rpg-system-illuminated-worlds-daggerheart-queen-by-midnight . live .
  28. Web site: Now Available: Queen by Midnight – Darrington Press . Darrington Press . 30 October 2023 . 22 August 2023 . en-US . Press release.
  29. Web site: July 27, 2023 . New Critical Role Game Announced . August 1, 2023 . . en.
  30. Web site: October 10, 2023 . Now Available: Caper Cards: Bells Hells . October 12, 2023 . Darrington Press . en-US . Press release.
  31. Web site: Myers . Maddy . 2023-10-17 . Critical Role's take on D&D, Candela Obscura, goes on sale in November . 2023-10-17 . Polygon . en-US.
  32. Web site: January 24, 2024 . Critical Role's Darrington Press Announces 'For the Queen 2E' . January 25, 2024 . . en.
  33. Web site: Hoffer . Christian . February 28, 2024 . Critical Role Announces Daggerheart Open Beta Playtest . February 28, 2024 . . en.
  34. Web site: Codega . Linda . April 20, 2023 . Darrington Press Unveils New Board Games and Tabletop Systems . April 20, 2023 . Gizmodo . en . April 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420160347/https://gizmodo.com/darrington-press-critical-role-state-of-the-press-2023-1850357290 . live .
  35. Web site: Hoffer . Christian . March 19, 2022 . Critical Role Teases Two Brand New Games . March 21, 2022 . . en . March 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220322015952/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-darrington-press-game-reveal/ . live .
  36. Web site: April 20, 2023 . Big News: Queen by Midnight and Two New RPGs . April 20, 2023 . Critical Role . en-US . Press release . April 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420160031/https://critrole.com/big-news-queen-by-midnight-and-two-new-rpgs/ . live .
  37. Web site: Theel. Charles. 2021-06-09. Review: Critical Role stumbles with its first board game, Uk'otoa. 2021-06-10. Polygon. en. 2021-06-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210609235501/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22526199/ukotoa-critical-role-board-game-review. live.
  38. Web site: 2022 Nominations – ENNIE Awards . 2022-07-08 . en-US . 2022-07-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220708195359/https://ennie-awards.com/2022-nominations/ . live .
  39. 1555732561065906177. ENnies. Best Setting Silver goes to: Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall Gold goes to: Tal Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn. ENNIE Awards. ENNIE Awards. August 5, 2022. August 5, 2022.
  40. Web site: King . Chris . 2022-01-21 . The new Critical Role campaign book is one part D&D setting, two parts history lesson . 2022-01-21 . Polygon . en-US . 2022-06-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220603042126/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22894838/critical-role-tal-dorai-reborn-campaign-setting-book-review . live .
  41. Web site: Abbott . Benjamin . January 18, 2022 . Should you buy Tal'Dorei Reborn? Everything you need to know about the new Critical Role book . January 18, 2022 . GamesRadar+ . en . January 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220118185540/https://www.gamesradar.com/should-you-buy-taldorei-reborn/ . live .
  42. Web site: Hall . Charlie . 2022-06-24 . Free RPG Day is back — grab these 5 great games, including one from Critical Role . 2022-06-25 . Polygon . en-US . 2022-06-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220624215534/https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/23180137/free-rpg-day-best-games-2022-critical-role . live .
  43. Web site: Melzer . Jenny . May 11, 2024 . Darrington Press's For The Queen Is A Beautiful Reboot Of A Classic . May 14, 2024 . CBR . en.

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