Critical Role Productions Explained

Critical Role Productions, LLC
Logo Alt:The Critical Role logo in black on a transparent background. Horizontal and central is the text "Critical Role", which uses an all-caps, serif font with the first letter of each word sized larger than the rest of the word. Vertical and central is the silhouette of a sword, which bisects the text element. This sword replaces the letter T within critical, and passes through the letter O of role. Surrounding these elements is the outline of a twenty-sided die.
Foundation:2015
Location City:Los Angeles, California
Subsid:Darrington Press
Metapigeon
Scanlan Shorthalt Music
Location Country:United States
Homepage:

Critical Role Productions, LLC is a multimedia production company incorporated in 2015 by the members of the creator-owned streaming show Critical Role. The first two shows from the company, Critical Role and Talks Machina, originally premiered on Geek & Sundry. The company moved to their own studio space in 2018, and began putting out new shows on their own Twitch and YouTube channels. A split from Legendary Digital Networks was completed in early 2019, at which point Critical Role Productions took over production responsibility and since then has continued to launch new shows independently.

Critical Role Productions uses several trade names for various forms of media production such as the gaming imprint Darrington Press, the record label Scanlan Shorthalt Music, and the film and television production banner Metapigeon. They also launched a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Critical Role Foundation, in 2020 to manage various charity projects by the company. In 2023, Critical Role Productions signed a film and television first-look deal with Amazon Studios. Then in 2024, they launched a boutique subscription streaming service called Beacon.

History

Geek & Sundry era (2015–2019)

Critical Role Productions was founded by the members of the creator-owned D&D streaming show Critical Role in 2015.[1] [2] The group had originally begun playing at home in 2012. Felicia Day approached the group about playing it in a live-streamed format for Geek & Sundry, after hearing about the group's private tabletop role-playing game from Ashley Johnson.[3] [4] [5] In order to streamline gameplay for the show, the game's characters were converted from Pathfinder to Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition before the web series began airing on March 12, 2015.[6] [7] The company's first show, Critical Role, was a huge success.[8] [9] The company's second show, Talks Machina, then premiered on Geek & Sundry and Alpha, Legendary Digital Networks' subscription streaming service, in 2016.[10]

In June 2018, Critical Role launched its own Twitch and YouTube channels, with cast member Marisha Ray being announced as the creative director of the franchise. Critical Role then started to self-produce new shows and content which did not air on Geek & Sundry's channels.[11] [12] [13] The sets for Critical Role and Talks Machina moved from Legendary Digital Network's studios to Critical Role's own studios in July 2018.[14]

The eight founders—the cast members of Critical Role itself―"own equity stakes in the company".[15] Since 2019, Travis Willingham has served as chief executive officer, Matthew Mercer as chief creative officer,[16] and Marisha Ray as creative director.[17] Several senior Legendary Digital staff members joined Critical Role during the split, with head of digital strategy and operations Ed Lopez becoming chief operating officer,[18] vice president of marketing Rachel Romero becoming senior vice president of marketing at Critical Role,[19] and Ben Van Der Fluit becoming senior vice president of business development.[16] [20]

Independent studio (2019–2021)

Critical Role's split from Geek & Sundry and Legendary Digital Networks completed in February 2019. From this point Critical Role took over production responsibility of the Critical Role and Talks Machina shows, with live broadcasts of their shows and the video on demand (VOD) now airing exclusively on Critical Role's own channels.[21] [22] The disengagement from Legendary's streaming service Alpha would cancel Talks Machina: After Dark, which had been exclusive to the service. Some "legacy episodes" (the entirety of Campaign 1, the first 19 episodes of Campaign 2, as well as the corresponding episodes of official discussion show Talks Machina) remained available in Geek & Sundry's archives on YouTube and Twitch.[21] Beginning in December 2019, some older content was migrated from Geek & Sundry to Critical Role's channels.[23]

On March 4, 2019, Critical Role launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a 22-minute animation called Critical Role: The Legend of Vox Machina Animated Special.[24] [25] The final total raised by the Kickstarter when it closed on April 19, 2019, was $11.3M turning the intended animated special into a ten episode animated series.[26] [27] When the campaign closed, it was one of the most quickly funded in Kickstarter history, and was the most funded Kickstarter for TV and film projects.[28] [29] In November 2019, Amazon Prime Video announced that they had acquired the streaming rights to The Legend of Vox Machina, and had commissioned 14 additional episodes (two additional episodes for season 1 and a second season of 12 episodes). The project was originally slated for release in late 2020, however the COVID-19 pandemic delayed release until 2022.[30] [31] [32] [33] [34]

In September 2019, Critical Role announced it had "entered into licensing agreements with Funko, McFarlane Toys, Penguin Random House, and Ripple Junction" to produce merchandise such as apparel and collectibles.[35] [36] Critical Role aired a sponsored one-shot using the Feast of Legends RPG system—developed by fast-food chain Wendy's—on October 3, 2019.[37] [38] [39] Following a strong negative response from some Critical Role fans[40] [41] the Critical Role team removed the VOD, and announced via Twitter that they had donated their profits from the sponsorship.[42] Shelly Jones, in an essay in the book Watch Us Roll (2021), commented that decision was "presumably" made by the show's "development team for purposes of branding and controlling the criticism circulating about the failed experiment".[43] In the first half of 2020, a claim was made online that Critical Role had retained the services of a sensitivity reader but had not paid the individual. As a result, the company called in an outside counsel to investigate the claims. Whilst the investigation concluded the claims in Critical Role's favor, the person who made the original claim tweeted that they had not been contacted during the investigation.

The coronavirus pandemic caused major scheduling changes for Critical Role Productions beginning in March 2020. This included a four month hiatus for Critical Role itself, the launch of new remote format shows such as Narrative Telephone, and new remote formats for other shows including Talks Machina. A number of other shows were placed on hiatus. Darrington Press, a "new board and card game publishing brand", was announced by Critical Role in October 2020.[44] In August 2021, Brian W. Foster, host of Talks Machina and other shows, left the company to pursue other "creative endeavors", a move which effectively ended Talks Machina and Between the Sheets, the latter of which had been on hiatus since the pandemic.[45] Critical Role returned to the pre-pandemic common table format with the launch of Campaign Three in October 2021, while a new aftershow launched in 2022 in the form of 4-Sided Dive.[46]

A leak of Twitch data in October 2021 revealed that Critical Role is among the highest earners on Twitch;[47] [48] the company received a total direct payout of $9,626,712 between September 2019 and September 2021 from Twitch in gross income from subscriptions and ad revenue.[49] [50] [51] BBC News commented that this list of payments is unlikely to "account for tax paid on income" and that "many, if not all, of these top streamers are effectively large-scale media operations, with their own employees and business expenses - so the numbers do not represent 'take-home pay' for those listed". Business Insider highlighted that "Critical Role has grown into a full-fledged media company. [...] Its LinkedIn page lists employees in roles including marketing, business development, photography, editing, and even one person responsible for keeping track of the lore, or details in its fantasy world". Variety reported that,, the company has expanded to "about 40 employees (including the eight founders)" and it "has received no funding from outside investors".

Industry expansion (2022–present)

In June 2022, Critical Role launched a new record label, Scanlan Shorthalt Music, to release original music inspired by Critical Role and the Exandria setting. Along with the label announcement, they released their first album titled Welcome to Tal'Dorei. The new project is led by Ray and Senior Producer Maxwell James.[52] [53] [54]

In January 2023, it was announced that Critical Role Productions had signed a first-look deal with Amazon Studios to create film and television series, while also announcing an animated series based on the Mighty Nein campaign.[55] Variety reported that "under the deal with Amazon Studios, Critical Role will continue to produce under its production banner, Metapigeon".[55] In March 2023, Metapigeon announced that it had purchased the space-western science fiction podcast Midst; this is the first time that Critical Role has acquired outside intellectual property. The podcast was released with remastered audio along with an ad-free subscription option.[56] [57] [58] In July 2023, Critical Role Productions removed almost all content featuring former host Foster on their channels.[59] On the potential impact of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike on Critical Role's Twitch and YouTube content, Critical Role stated:In December 2023, it was revealed that Critical Role is assisting in the development of the video game by Surgent Studios.[60] [61] In February 2024, Critical Role announced that the open beta playtest of Daggerheart, the roleplaying game system by Darrington Press, is scheduled to begin on March 12, 2024, Critical Role's ninth anniversary. This playtest is available at select game stores, as a PDF or on Demiplane via the Daggerheart Nexus.[62] [63] The Critical Role cast also ran a live playtest on their Twitch and YouTube channels on March 12 with a sequel live playtest in May.[64] Cheryl Teh of Business Insider commented that "what makes CR's new venture into Daggerheart so interesting is that the crew appears to be embracing, once again, the funhouse chaos of its early-day Twitch streams".

In May 2024, Critical Role announced their new subscription streaming service Beacon. Michael McWhertor of Polygon commented that "less reliance on third-party platform providers seems to be a big part of Critical Role's plan" as Ray in the Beacon announcement video spoke of the risks of third-party platforms such as lack of control over advertisements and potential demonetization. In an interview with The Washington Post, Ray said, "our kind of big, future plans are just really securing the legacy – making sure that it is continuously able to self-sustain".[65] Sarah Parvini of The Washington Post commented that "Beacon is part of that vision" as "a platform of their own ensures the founders maintain creative control through continued instability in the entertainment industry".

Broadcast

Critical Role Productions primarily broadcasts on the Critical Role Twitch and YouTube channels. This includes both livestreaming and VOD.[66] A number of shows formerly broadcast on Legendary's Alpha service from 2017-19.[67] They have also broadcast on their boutique subscription streaming service Beacon since May 2024.[68] The company's animated show, The Legend of Vox Machina (2022), is available on Amazon Prime Video.

Podcasts

The Critical Role podcast was announced during the 100th episode of the first campaign. It is an audio version of the game sessions.[69] [70] As well as the Critical Role website, the podcast is available on iTunes, Google Play Music,[71] and Spotify. The first campaign's podcast episodes were released in batches of 10–15, between June 8, 2017 and January 8, 2018.[72] Someone listening at 1.5x speed can get through the first campaign in just over 298 hours, or around 224 hours at double speed. The podcast episodes for the second campaign have been released on the Thursday after the episode streamed on Twitch.[73] Starting in May 2024, the podcast is available same day to Beacon subscribers. In an essay on live-streamed tabletop RPGs, Friedman notes "fans [of Critical Role] often recommend that a listener supplement their experience with strategic viewing of notable visual moments".

Talks Machina was also released in a podcast format from episode 101 until its conclusion. Like the podcast version of Critical Role; there was a week's delay between the broadcast of Talks Machina on Twitch, and the corresponding podcast episode's release.[74]

The Midst podcast has an ad-free subscription option that includes an early release schedule and other bonus content.

Beacon

In May 2024, Critical Role Productions launched their subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service Beacon. This service hosts both their podcasts and web series with some exclusively broadcast on the platform.[75] [76] [77] Cheryl Teh of Business Insider stated that "Beacon essentially gives people what they get with a Twitch subscription — instant access to VODs of their livestreams, but with some additional perks". Moises Taveras of Kotaku commented that in addition to "new exclusive programming", Beacon subscribers will get "pretty standard benefits, like merch discounts, presales for live event tickets, early access to shows, and a private Discord". Christian Hoffer of ComicBook.com noted that following the launch of Beacon, there was an immediate drop in Critical Role's Twitch subscribers by roughly 20% with the assumption that this reflects a migration to Beacon.[78]

The platform is named after the Luxon Beacons[79] which are in-universe fictional artifacts of religious and magical importance to the Kryn Dynasty.[80] [81]

Productions

The company produces and broadcasts the following shows from its Burbank Studio location:

Current programming

Critical Role and podcast (2015)

See main article: Critical Role. Critical Role is the "main series" of the studio. The series is broadcast on Thursdays at 19:00 PT on the Critical Role Twitch and YouTube channels and the Beacon streaming service, with the VOD being available to Beacon, YouTube, and Twitch subscribers immediately after the broadcast on their respective platforms.[82] The VODs are made available for the public via the YouTube channel on the Monday after the live stream.[83] As part of social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic the show has switched to a pre-recorded format.[84] The show's third campaign premiered on October 21, 2021.[85] [86]

#EverythingIsContent (2018)

A show of no fixed format. Several #EverythingIsContent episodes have had sponsored content. The show can be something of a testbed for the studio too; with Pub Draw and MAME Drop originally piloted as episodes of #EverythingIsContent.[87] [88]

Exandria Unlimited (ExU) (2021)

See main article: Exandria Unlimited.

An anthology web series and spin-off of Critical Role. The first season of ExU featured a canon Critical Role story set in the city of Emon on the continent of Tal'Dorei 30 years after Campaign One and 10 years after Campaign Two.[89] [90] Helmed by Aabria Iyengar as the Dungeon Master, it was originally broadcast from June 24 to August 12, 2021. A two-part continuation was released at the end of March 2022.[91] [92] [93] The second season, titled Exandria Unlimited: Calamity, premiered on May 26, 2022. It follows a group of heroes from the Age of Arcanum who attempt to prevent the Calamity and is led by Brennan Lee Mulligan as the Dungeon Master.[94] [95]

The Legend of Vox Machina (2022)

See main article: The Legend of Vox Machina.

The animated series based on events in campaign one. The first ten episodes of season one were financed through a Kickstarter campaign, with Amazon picking up distribution and green-lighting an additional 14 episodes (two additional episodes for the first season and a 12 episode second season).[96] The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the release schedule from Fall 2020; it premiered on January 28, 2022. In October 2022, Amazon renewed the series for a third season,[97] [98] ahead of the second season's premiere on January 20, 2023.[99]

4-Sided Dive (2022)

Four Critical Role cast members answer fan submitted questions "pulled from a Tower of Inquiry, which is basically a Jenga tower".[100] The host is randomly selected by the roll of a d20 die.[101] 4-Sided Dive replaced Talks Machina.[102]

Candela Obscura (2023)

See main article: Candela Obscura.

A horror–themed actual play episodic web series, using the new Illuminated Worlds System designed by Darrington Press; Candela Obscura was created by Taliesin Jaffe and Chris Lockey, with Steve Failows and Maxwell James as producers, and with Spenser Starke and Rowan Hall as the game's lead designers and writers. it has aired on the last Thursday of the month. Each episode focuses on a new investigation; Jaffe also serves as the show's Lightkeeper who provides the characters each mission. The cast of the first three episode story arc is composed of Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, Anjali Bhimani, Robbie Daymond with Matthew Mercer as the game master.[103] [104] [105] The cast of the second three episode story arc is composed of Travis Willingham, Brennan Lee Mulligan, Zehra Fazal, Luis Carazo, and Marisha Ray with Starke as the game master.[106] The show went on hiatus in June 2024.[107]

Critical Role Abridged (2024)

The Critical Role show edited and trimmed to 60–90 minute episodes starting with Campaign Three. Early access is available on Beacon. Jody Macgregor of PC Gamer highlighted the length of the individual episodes as a barrier to entry to finishing Critical Role's campaigns, however, "Critical Role Abridged takes those four-hour episodes, trims the fat, and reduces them down to manageable single-hour videos—or close to it" as the edits remove "introductions, ads, table chatter, and combat waffling".[108] Macgregor felt Abridged succeeded in keeping him "engaged" but missed the original show's dice-rolling since "the gambling aspect of D&D is part of the fun, and while some are left in, the edits seem a bit eager to delete skill checks and damage rolls that would otherwise have me on the edge of my seat. Meanwhile, Matt Mercer's episode-one scene-setting and subsequent recaps seem like they could easily be pruned further".

Critical Role Cooldown (2024)

An immediate aftershow with the cast still at the table which airs after each episode of Critical Role. Exclusively broadcast on Beacon.

The Re-Slayer's Take (2024)

An all-ages actual play podcast set in Exandria featuring "a group of adventurers rejected from the monster hunting group The Slayer's Take". The cast consists of Jasmine Bhullar, Jasper William Cartwright, Caroline Lux, and Jasmine Chiong as players with George Primavera and Nick Williams as the dungeon masters.[109] The twelve episode first season aired from May 20 to August 19, 2024;[110] [111] early access was available to Beacon subscribers.

Fireside Chats (2024)

A monthly "Ask Me Anything" style talk show with questions from Beacon subscribers that airs exclusively on Beacon. The show premiered on May 21, 2024.

Moonward (2024)

Moonward, a four-part limited series set after Midst, was announced in July 2024. It features Xen as the guide narrator with Liam O'Brien, Marisha Ray, Matt Roen and Sara Wile as players.[112] [113] Cheryl Teh of Business Insider highlighted that Moonward features "just pure roleplay and acting" as "there no dice and no rules in" the series. The series is scheduled to air from August 7 to August 28, 2024 with early access for Beacon and Midst subscribers.[114]

Future programing

Mighty Nein

In January 2023, it was announced that the second campaign will receive an animated television adaptation for Amazon Prime Video titled Mighty Nein. The series will be executive produced by Tasha Huo, Sam Riegel, Travis Willingham, Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski, Antonio Canobbio and Ben Kalina; Metapigeon, Amazon Studios, and Titmouse will serve as the production companies.[115]

Former programming

All Work No Play and podcast (2018–2020)

Liam O'Brien and Sam Riegel catch up over a drink and try a new activity each episode. The show was developed from Liam and Sam's original AWNP podcast (2012–2017), which predates the home game that would become Critical Role. Season one aired in 2018 and season two aired in 2020.[116] [117] [118]

AWNP: Unplugged (2020)

Sam Riegel and Liam O'Brien catch-up via video chat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each episode after the first has also featured another Critical Role cast member, or a friend of the cast, as a guest (also joining via video chat).[119] Andy Wilson, for Bleeding Cool, highlighted the show as "a Zoom chat between friends, mostly about their dogs, their kids, and how they were dealing with the lockdown, and how much they missed each other. It was an exercise in human connection, and it was so beautifully simple. It also garnered hundreds of thousands of views every week".[120]

Between the Sheets (2018–2019)

Brian W. Foster interviews a different guest each episode. Non-Critical Role guests included Logic and Amanda Palmer.[121] Season one aired in 2018 and season two aired in 2019. Season 3 was scheduled to premiere on August 5, 2020,[122] [123] however, the show's production went on un-planned hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020[124] and then Foster left the company in 2021. In July 2023, this show was removed from Critical Role's channels.

Critter Hug (2020–2021)

A to-camera show starring Mica Burton and Matt Mercer. The hosts introduce and talk around topics relevant to the "Critter" community. Only the first episode of the show was aired before California's COVID-19 pandemic lockdown measures began. Two further episodes were broadcast in 2021.[125] [126]

Critical Recap (2018–2019)

A look back on previous episodes of Critical Role hosted by Dani Carr, production coordinator for Critical Role. Starting with Episode 11 of Campaign two, Critical Recap aired on the Geek & Sundry Twitch channel before the Critical Role live stream on Thursdays.[127] After Critical Role's split from Geek & Sundry, new episodes of Critical Recap premiered on Critical Role's YouTube channel every Tuesday, while a rebroadcast aired on the Critical Role Twitch channel immediately before the Critical Role live stream on Thursdays. On YouTube, "as a standalone stream", the show had "roughly 20-50,000 views per recap". The video format for Critical Recap was last used for episode 88 of Campaign two. Beginning 2020, the show was replaced by a written recap made available on the Critical Role website.[128] An animated version of the show was launched in December 2020.[129] [130]

Crit Recap Animated (2020–2022)

An animated spinoff of Critical Recap hosted by Dani Carr. Crit Recap Animated is co-written by Carr, Kyle Shire and Marisha Ray with animation by Offworld Studios. The show retells Campaign 2 story arcs in short, 5- to 10-minute episodes. Episode 1 premiered in December 2020 and introduced the main characters of the Mighty Nein. The show completed Campaign 2 in August 2022.[131]

Handbooker Helper (2018–2020)

A series of introductory to-camera videos on the different elements of Dungeons and Dragons hosted by different members of the Critical Role cast. The show's name is a parody of Hamburger Helper and a reference to the Player's Handbook. Though not a requirement to watch, the Critical Role campaigns are often alluded to through inside jokes and other meta-references.[132] [133] A total of 42 episodes of Handbooker Helper were released before the series concluded in June 2019. In preparation for a Valentine's Day one-shot, an episode of Handbooker Helper explaining the basics of the Monsterhearts 2 role-playing game was released February 6, 2020.[134]

MAME Drop (2019)

Taliesin Jaffe and guest(s) play old-school arcade games on the studio's MAME cabinet.[135] [136]

Midst (2023)

See main article: Midst.

Midst is a semi-improvised space-western audio drama focused on "three protagonists – a crotchety outlaw, a struggling cultist and a diabolical bastard – as their paths intersect in unexpected ways" in the town of Stationary Hill after the mysterious civilization known as the Trust becomes interested in the islet of Midst where the town is located. It began streaming in 2020 and was originally produced by the studio Third Person which was made of the podcast's three anonymous narrators;[137] the podcast won multiple awards at the New Jersey WebFest in 2021 and 2022. The science fiction podcast was acquired by Metapigeon in March 2023 and the first two seasons were rebroadcast by Critical Role starting in April 2023. This weekly rerelease included remastered audio and a new video format which were then followed by a new third season. The final episode was released on June 26, 2024.[138]

Mini Primetime (2019–2020)

A show hosted by Will Friedle on how to improve painting techniques, specifically for Dungeons & Dragons miniatures.[139] [140] Season one aired in 2019, and was followed by a 2020 special under Talks Machina's "After Dark" branding.[141]

Mighty Vibes (2020–2021)

A playlist of songs curated to the aesthetic of one, or more, of the members of the Mighty Nein and Vox Machina. Songs play over a looped animation featuring said member. Sound clips recorded by the players of the featured character or characters are interspersed throughout the playlist.

Narrative Telephone (2020–2021)

The Critical Role cast and guests[142] play a socially distanced version of Telephone using pre-recorded video messages.

Pub Draw (2019)

Marisha Ray is taught how to improve her drawing by comic book artist, and Critter, Babs Tarr.[143] [144] Seasons one and two aired in 2019.

UnDeadwood (2019)

A four-part limited series in which Brian W. Foster GMs a game based on the HBO series Deadwood, using the Deadlands RPG system.[145] In July 2023, this show was removed from Critical Role's channels.

Talks Machina and podcast (2016–2021)

An aftershow hosted by Brian W. Foster, in which he and a few cast members discussed the most recent installment of Critical Role. The show aired live on Twitch at 18:45 PT on Tuesdays.[146] [147] [148] In its original format, the cast answered fan questions on in-game events, decisions, or character development. Weekly competitions were held for fan content, with prizes for the winners, such as "fan art of the week" and "cosplay of the week". The winners were announced in interlude segments. Originally, the first 100 episodes of Talks Machina were broadcast on Geek & Sundry's channels. Beginning in February 2019, as part of Critical Role's split from Geek & Sundry, new episodes began airing on the Critical Role Twitch channel. The VODs were available to Twitch subscribers immediately after the initial broadcast, and were also uploaded to YouTube on the following Thursday. Beginning in December 2019, as part of the migration of older content to the Critical Role channels, some episodes of Talks Machina were deleted from Geek & Sundry's channels and re-uploaded to the official Critical Role channels. The show was on hiatus from March to September 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned in a biweekly, remote pre-recorded format until its cancelation shortly before the end of Campaign Two.[149] [150] [151] YouTube views hovered "around 130-190,000 – or roughly 25 percent of the views of the [''Critical Role''] VOD itself".[152] In July 2023, this show was removed from Critical Role's channels.

Talks Machina: After Dark (2017–2019)

"An extended after show for our after show", which would air exclusively on Alpha shortly after the conclusion of Talks Machina each week. The cast would respond to questions directly from the chat. The show ended its run after Critical Role split from Legendary and disengaged from Alpha.[153] It was announced that the After Dark suspension was temporary, though the show never returned.[154] [155] The After Dark branding was later applied to a Mini Primetime special in 2020.

Travis Willingham's Yeehaw Game Ranch (2019)

Travis Willingham and Brian W. Foster play video games. In July 2023, this show was removed from Critical Role's channels.

Yee-Haw Off the Ranch (2020)

An at home version of Travis Willingham's Yeehaw Game Ranch starring Ashley Johnson and Brian W. Foster during the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2023, this show was removed from Critical Role's channels.

Licensed works and related products

See main article: Critical Role–related products. Critical Role's commercial success has led to many other related products, including a prequel comic series ,[156] [157] art books,[158] [159] a novel Kith & Kin,[160] [161] two campaign setting books ( and Explorer's Guide to Wildemount),[162] [163] and an animated series. Hobby and toy stores sell miniatures and other collectibles related to Critical Role.[35] [164]

Reception

In March 2020, CNBC reported that "since amicably parting ways with Geek & Sundry in 2018, Critical Role has become its own media company, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers across several social media platforms, and more than 120 million views on YouTube. [...] Critical Role has offered a diverse line-up of D&D games. There's the long-form fantasy campaign that the whole group participates in weekly and then there are shorter-form series like 'Undeadwood,' a western themed game, that may interest the same fan base, or entice new viewers who are more interested in that genre". Emily Friedman, in the book Roleplaying Games in the Digital Age: Essays on Transmedia Storytelling, Tabletop RPGs and Fandom (2021), highlighted that "while Talks Machina offers the potential for additional narrative details, its chief appeal is how it creates an informal, even chaotic space for the players within the social frame, and is a mediated space where fans are names and their labor showcased through the intermediaries of Foster and Carr, who are not players but viewers of the show, and who have become beloved in their own right. Other livestreams (Game Ranch, MAME Drop) have subsequently leaned into this parasocial pleasure, allowing for more time 'with' the cast".

By January 2021, Critical Role had 220 million views across the channel with 44,000 paid subscribers on Twitch that month and the first episode of Campaign One had been watched 15 million times on YouTube. During the last 10 months of Campaign Two, between August 2020 and May 2021, Twitch subscriptions averaged around 27,000 paid subscribers.[165] Business Insider reported, before the premiere of Campaign Three in October 2021, that the official Twitch channel had 828,000 followers and 13,530 active subscribers while the official YouTube channel had 1.4 million subscribers. In October 2021, Variety reported "historically, C.R.'s Twitch channel has attracted 60,000-75,000 live viewers for each episode. Factoring in on-demand plays on Twitch and YouTube, the total per-episode audience has ranged from 1.2 million to 1.5 million, according to Willingham. In the past 12 months, the audience has grown more than 23% on Twitch and nearly 50% on YouTube year over year. That said, Critical Role remains relatively small compared with other popular creators and digital media properties: It has 818,000 followers on Twitch (the platform's most popular streamers have 10 million or more)".

Brand growth

Academic Emily Friedman highlighted that Critical Role Productions was the only one able to recover their episodes from Geek & Sundry as all other shows that premiered on Geek & Sundry are still owned by Geek & Sundry's parent company Legendary. Friedman opined that "Critical Role was as smart as Legendary was dumb. Legendary didn't make them sign a contract until Critical Role LLC had already existed".[166] Rowan Zeoli of Rascal commented:

Long before they had any inkling of the success that was to come, the legal protections the Critical Role team established (in part due to their previous professional experience in the voice acting sphere) allowed them to have ownership over the fruits of their labor. [...] Had they truly considered themselves nothing more than a group of friends playing D&D (as their marketing so often suggests) Critical Role would have been lost to the sands of time, just as many other shows have. By treating their experimental production as a legitimate business early on, Critical Role seized a unique opportunity to turn their home game of Pathfinder into a media empire built off a show where, in their words, "nerdy-ass voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons."
On Critical Role's success, Friedman, in an interview with Zeoli, explained that "you have to be lucky, but also be prepared for the luck".

On Critical Role's eighth anniversary in 2023, Christian Hoffer of ComicBook.com highlighted the growth of the brand and stated it is "a Hollywood success story unlike any other. And perhaps the most fascinating part is that it seems like their story is just beginning. In addition to flagship show and portfolio of current and upcoming animated projects, Critical Role has also released soundtracks, an impressive array of merchandise, and a bevy of spin-off shows that periodically air on the channel. The business of Critical Role (led by Willingham and Ray, who are CEO and creative director, respectively) moves very deliberately, but they have yet to discover a ceiling for just how big the Critical Role empire can grow".[167] Luke Winkie of Slate stated that Critical Role "has quickly become a fixture of the geek-media ecosystem and is blessed by a litany of third-party investments. There are now Critical Role novelizations, comic books, and most notably, an animated Amazon Prime television adaptation. [...] Mercer and his friends did blow the ceiling off what anyone thought possible in this proudly niche, fearlessly nerdy lane of entertainment. His hobby is now the fulcrum of his portfolio—Critical Role is a genuine multimedia empire".[168] Academic Jan Švelch wrote, "the analysis of Critical Role's sponsorships highlights the complexity of the mediatization process. Producers of both physical and digital gaming commodities arguably regard the show as an effective advertising channel".[169] He commented that Critical Role is now "an established production company, which has partnered with several analog gaming businesses and engaged in licensing deals typical for entertainment industries, resulting in various action figures, miniatures, collectibles, or tie-in comics, novels and an animated series. In this regard, Critical Role is an outlier in the space of actual play where merchandising and product licensing are otherwise considered negligible source of revenue".

Cheryl of Business Insider considered Beacon "a daring gambit that, if successful, will cut major streaming partners like Amazon-owned Twitch and YouTube out of their empire". Tyler Chancey, for TechRaptor, called the development of Beacon "similar to another media company: Dropout".[170] Moises Taveras of Kotaku highlighted that Beacon "is not quite going the way of the much-lauded Dropout, which does host all of its programming on its subscription service, but it is also avoiding the pitfalls of the recent Watcher debacle, which faced backlash for hastily locking its future content behind an unpopular subscription before walking the decision back".[171] Taveras opined that Beacon is "an optional sub for the immensely dedicated Critters who want to directly support the company". Tara McCauley, for The Escapist, also highlighted that the Beacon "announcement avoided the pitfalls witnessed in the [Watcher] streaming scandal" as the new platform "will not change any aspect of fans' ability to consume Critical Role content as they have been" and that "the contrast between the two rollouts was night and day".[172] McCauley commented, "as if to further exemplify the stark distinction between these two announcements, an influx of traffic to Beacon caused temporary crashes and delays on Thursday. It seems that Critical Role is breathing the same air that Dropout was when they made the pivot from YouTube to their own independent platform".

Open Game License

On January 5, 2023, Linda Codega reported that io9 had received a leaked copy of the Open Game License 1.1 (OGL1.1).[173] Both the sourcebook and its updated edition, Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, were published under the original OGL,[174] [175] which has allowed a wide range of unofficial commercial derivative work based on the mechanics of Dungeons and Dragons to be produced since 2000.[176] The language reportedly within OGL1.1 would revoke the original OGL and would be much more restrictive to third party content creators. Critical Role's official statement made no mention of the OGL; instead it spoke to Critical Role's support of the tabletop game community, and that Critical Role is where it is because of that community.[177] [178] [179] [180] The statement also mentioned "stand[ing] by" developers of "new [TTRPG] system[s]". While some were disappointed by the statement,[181] [182] others thought it was a legally shrewd statement. ICv2 commented that "Critical Role likely needed to walk a fine line between not criticizing one of their biggest sponsors (WotC/D&D Beyond) while, at the same time, quelling their fan base's simmering outrage. Their company was clearly stuck between a proverbial 'rock and a hard place,' as backing one party over any of the others in this conflict could potentially be a detrimental financial decision for them". In the ComicBook.com podcast The Character Sheet, Christian Hoffer speculated that Critical Role could be under contract to use the 5th edition system for the remainder of Campaign 3, and that there might be "non-disparity clauses" preventing them from speaking out against Hasbro, its subsidiaries, and its products.[183] In an interview with Codega, Ray stated "it's important to have an environment that does allow these creators; independent, big, small, to create and make new things. Whichever way allows the community to do that, that's where we're going to stand and support".[184] On the draft OGL1.2 separating some Dungeons & Dragons content into a Creative Commons license, Mercer stated it was "a grandiose step in a grandiose direction. And I am very eager to see where it goes from here".

Accolades

The Critical Role channel has won the following awards:

YearAwardCategoryResultRef
2019Webby AwardsVideo Series & Channels – Games (Webby Award & People's Voice)
2019Shorty AwardsGames (Finalist & Audience Honor)[185]
2021Games (Finalist)[186]

Charity involvement

Critical Role Productions and Stephen Colbert teamed up for Red Nose Day for a special one-on-one adventure with Matthew Mercer as Dungeon Master that aired on May 23, 2019. Fans were able to donate to the cause and vote for elements of the adventure such as Colbert's companion, his class, his legendary weapon, and the villain. In the one-shot campaign, Colbert played a half-elf bard named Capo, and had a bee named Eric as a companion. The event raised $117,176.20 for the charity.[187]

Critical Role Foundation

Critical Role Productions launched a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Critical Role Foundation,[188] in September 2020 with the mission statement: "to leave the world better than we found it". Ashley Johnson has been named president of the organization with Matthew Mercer, Eduardo Lopez, Rachel Romero, and Mark Koro as officers and board members.[189] Critical Role Foundation states that 85% of donation funds will go to partner non-profits, 10% will be allocated into an emergency fund, and 5% will be allocated to administrative fees and operating expenses. The emergency fund will allow the foundation "to donate funds in the event of natural disasters and other unforeseen events that require immediate humanitarian assistance".[190] CBR reported that "Critical Role Foundation will partner with other organizations in the nonprofit sector that share the same values as Critical Role and its community, in addition to raising emergency relief funds to be put toward immediate humanitarian aid as needed".

In an interview, Johnson said "We've worked with a handful of nonprofits over the years that focus on causes that Critical Role and the community care most about. These charities include 826LA, Red Nose Day, OSD, Pablove and OutRight International, and since we began streaming in 2015, the Critical Role community has raised well over half a million dollars for these organizations. [...] We wanted to go the 501(c)(3) route so that donors are able to do tax-deductible donations. [...] CRF is definitely going to have a presence within the wider Critical Role world, but it's going to act as a separate entity tied to the main one".[191]

In 2022, the Critical Role Foundation won two 2022 Shorty Impact Awards – the Gold Honor in "Best Fundraising Campaign" and the Audience Honor in "Best Influencer & Celebrity Partnership" – for its Red Nose Day campaign with Colbert titled "Choose Stephen's Adventure… Again!". This campaign "raised over $423K for Red Nose Day" which is a "252% increase over the 2019" campaign.[192]

Notes and References

  1. News: Bunge. Nicole. June 18, 2018. 'Critical Role' Goes Solo. en. ICv2. July 27, 2019. July 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190727190044/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/40677/critical-role-goes-solo. live.
  2. Web site: CRITICAL ROLE PRODUCTIONS, LLC. September 23, 2019. opencorporates.com. OpenCorporates.
  3. Web site: Furniss. Zack. 2016-02-26. Inside Critical Role: The Live D&D show led by voices you might recognize. 2020-06-28. Destructoid. english. 2021-05-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20210515082527/https://www.destructoid.com/stories/inside-critical-role-the-live-d-d-show-led-by-voices-you-might-recognize-342464.phtml. live.
  4. News: Burlingame. Russ. September 29, 2016. With Critical Role, Geek & Sundry Score A Hit By Bringing Friends Together For D&D. ComicBook.com. November 1, 2016. November 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161105223032/http://comicbook.com/2016/09/15/critical-role-cast-score-a-hit. live.
  5. News: Shea. Brian. December 22, 2016. How Popular Voice Actors Took A D&D Game Global With Critical Role. Game Informer. December 22, 2016. December 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161222183336/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/22/how-popular-voice-actors-took-dungeons-and-dragons-game-global-with-critical-role.aspx. dead.
  6. News: Sheehan. Gavin. June 8, 2017. 'Critical Role' Is About To Throw A Nat 100 On Episodes. Bleeding Cool. June 8, 2017. June 11, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170611191044/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/06/07/critical-role-about-to-throw-a-nat-100-on-episodes/. live.
  7. Web site: December 17, 2018. Travis Willingham, Marisha Ray, and Matthew Mercer: "Critical Role" Talks at Google. December 19, 2018. Youtube.com. Google. August 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200806131553/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kTJxgNCdw4&t=37m00s. live.
  8. Book: Carbonell, Curtis D.. Dread Trident: Tabletop Role-Playing Games and the Modern Fantastic. Oxford University Press. 2019. 978-1-78962-468-7. Liverpool. 107–108. Chapter 3: Dungeons and Dragons Multiverse. 1129971339. 2020-07-03. 2020-07-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20200703072151/https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1129971339. live.
  9. Web site: 2017-06-09. Twitch D&D Show 'Critical Role' Is Helping Fuel The Game's Renaissance. 2020-07-03. Kotaku Australia. en-AU. 2020-07-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20200703051119/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/06/twitch-dd-show-critical-role-is-helping-fuel-the-games-renaissance/. live.
  10. Web site: 2016-11-07. Presenting Talks Machina. https://web.archive.org/web/20200628233050/https://geekandsundry.com/presenting-talks-machina/. dead. June 28, 2020. 2020-06-27. Geek and Sundry. en.
  11. News: Hoffer. Christian. June 18, 2018. Critical Role Teases New Content With Opening of New Studio, Twitch and Youtube Channel. ComicBook.com. August 14, 2018. August 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180813162432/http://comicbook.com/gaming/2018/06/18/critical-role-new-studio-content. live.
  12. Web site: Phillips. Jevon. 2019-11-06. They started out playing Dungeons & Dragons. Now they're coming to Amazon Prime. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191119050025/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-11-06/amazon-prime-critical-role-vox-machina. 2019-11-19. 2020-06-27. Los Angeles Times. en-US.
  13. Web site: Whitten. Sarah. 2020-03-14. How Critical Role helped spark a Dungeons & Dragons renaissance. 2020-06-30. CNBC. en. 2021-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20210812013515/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/14/critical-role-helped-spark-a-dungeons-dragons-renaissance.html. live.
  14. Web site: 2018-06-19. Critical Role separates from Geek & Sundry to create new shows. 2020-06-27. Tabletop Gaming. 2020-11-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109005942/https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/critical-role-separates-from-geek-sundry-to-create-new-shows. live.
  15. Web site: Spangler. Todd. October 14, 2021. Inside Critical Role's Growing D&D Fantasy Empire and the Making of 'The Legend of Vox Machina' for Amazon. October 15, 2021. Variety. en-US. October 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211014160745/https://variety.com/2021/digital/features/critical-role-amazon-legend-of-vox-machina-1235088274/. live.
  16. Web site: Critical Role. April 23, 2019. The Webby Awards. April 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190423155028/https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2019/video/video-series-channels/games/critical-role/. live.
  17. News: March 17, 2019. Watch ECCC: Critical Role cast talks about the animated series and reads a new scene. Syfy Wire. April 7, 2019. April 7, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190407140050/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/watch-eccc-critical-role-cast-talks-about-the-animated-series-and-reads-a-new-scene. live.
  18. Web site: Lopez . Ed . Alpha Update . Legendary Digital Networks Blog . https://web.archive.org/web/20220130214557/https://medium.com/ldn-blog/alpha-update-6718fc4d2035 . January 30, 2022 . en . October 27, 2016.
  19. Web site: Rachel Romero Critical Role . Critical Role . https://web.archive.org/web/20210115135721/https://critrole.com/members/rachel-romero/ . January 15, 2021 . March 28, 2018.
  20. Web site: Ben Van Der Fluit . Critical Role . https://web.archive.org/web/20210420000112/https://critrole.com/members/ben-van-der-fluit/ . April 20, 2021 . March 27, 2018.
  21. Web site: Romero. Rachel. February 19, 2019. Critical Role and Talks Machina broadcast updates. February 24, 2019. Critical Role. February 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190224173850/https://critrole.com/critical-role-talks-machina-broadcast-updates/. dead.
  22. Web site: Thomas. Jeremy. February 19, 2019. D&D Streaming Series Critical Role Leaves Geek & Sundry, Moves to Its Own Channel. 2020-06-27. 411MANIA. en-US. 2019-02-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20190220095933/https://411mania.com/games/dd-streaming-series-critical-role-leaves-geek-sundry-moves-to-its-own-channel/. dead.
  23. Web site: Willingham. Travis. December 20, 2019. End of 2019 Fireside Chat. 2020-06-30. YouTube. Critical Role. 2020-09-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901031920/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLEuog9UDXs&t. live.
  24. Web site: Critical Role: The Legend of Vox Machina Animated Special. Kickstarter. March 4, 2019. July 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190710005427/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/criticalrole/critical-role-the-legend-of-vox-machina-animated-s. live.
  25. News: Whitten. Sarah. March 4, 2019. Critical Role fans finance Dungeons & Dragons Kickstarter in an hour. CNBC. March 5, 2019. March 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190304215848/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/04/critical-role-fans-finance-dungeons--dragons-kickstarter-in-an-hour.html. live.
  26. Web site: April 19, 2019. Update #16: THANK YOU.. April 19, 2019. Kickstarter. Critical Role: The Legend of Vox Machina Animated Special. April 19, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190419071818/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/criticalrole/critical-role-the-legend-of-vox-machina-animated-s/posts/2484630. live.
  27. Web site: Spangler. Todd. November 5, 2019. Amazon Orders Two Seasons of Critical Role's Animated D&D Series. Variety. November 5, 2019. January 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210103130959/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/critical-role-amazon-prime-video-legend-of-vox-machina-1203388522/. live.
  28. News: Spangler. Todd. March 5, 2019. Critical Role Expands 'Vox Machina' Animated D&D Special to 88 Minutes, Tops $4.3 Million Raised in One Day. Variety. March 5, 2019. March 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190306003458/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/critical-role-vox-machina-88-minutes-kickstarter-funding-1203155446/. live.
  29. News: Dornbush. Jonathon. March 7, 2019. Update: Critical Role Kickstarter Breaks Record, Reveals Episode Plans. IGN. March 9, 2019. April 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190406025059/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/05/critical-role-dd-kickstarter-hits-5-million-animated-special-will-now-be-a-series. live.
  30. News: Hoffer. Christian. Critical Role Confirms Animated Series Delayed Due to COVID-19. en. comicbook.com. June 27, 2020. June 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200626023356/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-animated-series-delay-covid-19/. live.
  31. Web site: 2020-06-15. Critical Role's "The Legend Of Vox Machina" Delayed. 2021-05-04. That Hashtag Show. en-US. 2021-12-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20211201082113/https://www.thathashtagshow.com/2020/06/15/critical-roles-the-legend-of-vox-machina-delayed/. live.
  32. Web site: Francisco. Eric. November 18, 2020. Critical Role: 2020 "turned everything on its head" for the D&D phenomenon. 2021-05-04. Inverse. en. 2021-12-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20211201082111/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/world-of-critical-role. live.
  33. Romano. Nick. December 20, 2021. 'The Legend of Vox Machina' sets earlier premiere date with new clip. December 20, 2021. Entertainment Weekly. en. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124203518/https://ew.com/tv/the-legend-of-vox-machina-2022-premiere-door-lock-video/. live.
  34. Web site: Hall. Charlie. 2021-12-20. Critical Role animated series will premiere earlier than expected. 2021-12-21. Polygon. en-US. 2021-12-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20211221005643/https://www.polygon.com/22846929/critical-role-animated-series-premiere-date-legend-of-vox-machina. live.
  35. Web site: September 27, 2019. Critical Role Is Getting Funko Pop!, Action Figures, and More. 2021-05-05. ComicBook.com. en. 2021-05-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210505230023/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-funko-mcfarlane-toys-apparel-dungeons-and-dragons/. live.
  36. Web site: September 28, 2019. Critical Role appoints Collaborations Licensing. 2021-05-07. License India. en-in. 2021-05-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507150540/https://www.licenseindia.com/archives/news/critical-role-appoints-collaborations-licensing. live.
  37. News: Williamson. Evan. October 14, 2019. Wendy's expands its focus beyond food. Western Courier. October 23, 2019. August 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200807144054/https://westerncourier.com/45614/the-edge/wendys-expands-its-focus-beyond-food/. dead.
  38. Web site: Sherwood. I-Hsien. 2019-10-04. Wendy's new role-playing game lets players (and their dice) defend 'Freshtovia' from frozen beef. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191009055959/https://adage.com/creativity/work/wendys-feast-legends/2204156. October 9, 2019. 2021-01-11. adage.com. en.
  39. Web site: Kaplan. Avery. 2019-10-03. Here's how to watch the CRITICAL ROLE demo of the Wendy's tabletop RPG, FEAST OF LEGENDS. 2021-01-11. The Beat. en-US. 2020-11-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20201110044737/https://www.comicsbeat.com/critical-role-demo-wendys-tabletop-rpg/. live.
  40. Web site: 2019-10-09. RPG: Critical Role Faces Backlash After Wendy's RPG One Shot. 2021-01-11. Bell of Lost Souls. en-US. 2021-11-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20211106181218/https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2019/10/rpg-critical-role-faces-backlash-after-wendys-rpg-one-shot.html. live.
  41. Book: The Routledge Handbook of Remix Studies and Digital Humanities. 2021. Eduardo Navas, Owen Gallagher, xtine burrough. 978-0-429-35587-5. New York, NY. 1227865379. Neither the game itself nor quality of the Critical Role performance was really at issue [...]. Accepting financial support from Wendy's was read among some fans as a tacit acceptance of political positions held by Wendy's. [...] To bring Critical Role into contact with Wendy's was not just bringing professional voice actors into Freshtovia; a whole array of political issues were brought into the mix at the same time. The Critical Role staff scrubbed nearly all evidence of the video from their official feeds and records. The community was significantly jarred by the mashup, not of D&D and fast food, but escapism and politics..
  42. News: Girdwood. Andrew. July 7, 2020. Critical Role officially denies any wrongdoing with a consultant. Geek Native. January 11, 2021. January 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125053855/https://www.geeknative.com/74499/critical-role-officially-denies-any-wrongdoing-with-a-consultant/. live.
  43. Book: Jones, Shelly. Watch Us Roll: Essays on Actual Play and Performance in Tabletop Role-Playing Games. 2021. 978-1-4766-4343-4. Jefferson, North Carolina. 136–157. Actual Play Audience as Archive: Analyzing the Critical Role Fandom. 1267420585. 2021-10-01. 2022-05-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20220504202056/https://www.worldcat.org/title/watch-us-roll-essays-on-actual-play-and-performance-in-tabletop-role-playing-games/oclc/1267420585. live.
  44. 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.
  45. Web site: August 16, 2021. Long-Time Critical Role Cast Member Leaves. 2021-08-17. ComicBook.com. en. 2022-05-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20220530203301/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-brian-w-foster-leaving-studio/. live.
  46. Web site: 2022-03-14 . HYPE: Celebrate Critical Role's 7-Year Anniversary With an Entire Week of Fun! Critical Role . 2022-04-23 . en-US . 2022-03-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220316162603/https://critrole.com/hype-celebrate-critical-roles-7-year-anniversary-with-an-entire-week-of-fun/ . live .
  47. News: 2021-10-06. Twitch confirms massive data breach. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-10-06. Some versions shared online point to well known streamers, including Dungeons & Dragons channel CriticalRole, Canadian xQC and American Summit1g, as being among the top earners.. 2021-10-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006182125/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58817658. live.
  48. News: Grayson. Nathan. October 6, 2021. Massive Twitch hack reveals streamers' pay, with top stars making millions. The Washington Post. October 6, 2021. The highest paid Twitch channel of all is not an individual, but rather a collective; “Critical Role,” a long-running tabletop role-playing show, is listed as having been paid $9,626,712.16 since 2019. For some in the tabletop role-playing community, this has been cause for reflection.. October 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006191030/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/10/06/twitch-hack-pay-xqc-pokimane-summit1g/. live.
  49. Web site: Biazzi. Leonardo. 2021-10-06. CriticalRole, xQc, summit1g, and Tfue among the highest earners on Twitch, according to leak. 2021-10-06. Dot Esports. en-US. The money could refer to subscription, ad revenue, and bits these channels gathered during the period. Critical Role tops the chart with a direct payout of $9,626,712, followed by xQc with $8,454,427.. 2021-10-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20211007015408/https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/criticalrole-xqc-summit1g-and-tfue-among-the-highest-earners-on-twitch-according-to-leak. live.
  50. News: October 6, 2021. Twitch hacker leaks entire source code and streamers' incomes for the past three years. MarketWatch. October 6, 2021. The leaked data does apparently reveal just how much money popular Twitch streamers are earning directly from Twitch. Some 81 have been paid more than $1 million by Twitch since August 2019, likely from subscriptions and advertising revenue, according to the leaked documents. Topping the list is Critical Role, which streams Dungeons & Dragons sessions, which has scored more than $9.6 million from Twitch payouts in the past two years, according to the leaked documents.. October 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006153725/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/reported-twitch-hacker-leaks-entire-source-code-and-streamers-incomes-for-the-past-three-years-11633533597. live.
  51. Web site: Espinosa. Michael. October 9, 2021. A Twitch channel known for 'Dungeons and Dragons' earned over $9 million in the last 2 years, the highest payout listed in the data leak. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211009055706/https://www.businessinsider.com/twitch-channel-critical-role-was-top-earning-channel-in-leak-2021-10. October 9, 2021. October 9, 2021. Business Insider. en-US.
  52. Web site: June 21, 2022 . Critical Role Launches New Record Label, First Album Out Now . June 25, 2022 . . en . June 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220625021537/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-record-label-welcome-to-taldorei/ . live .
  53. Web site: Sheehan . Gavin . June 21, 2022 . Critical Role Launches New Record Label & Soundtrack . June 25, 2022 . Bleeding Cool News And Rumors . en . June 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220625021545/https://bleedingcool.com/games/critical-role-launches-new-record-label-soundtrack/ . live .
  54. Web site: June 22, 2022 . Critical Role launches a record label to produce a fantasy ambiance soundtrack . June 25, 2022 . Dicebreaker . en . June 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220625021538/https://www.dicebreaker.com/topics/critical-role/news/critical-role-welcome-to-taldorei-soundtrack . live .
  55. Web site: Spangler . Todd . 2023-01-25 . Amazon Inks Critical Role to Overall TV and First-Look Film Deal, Greenlights 'Mighty Nein' Animated Series . 2023-01-25 . Variety . en-US . 2023-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230125194904/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/critical-role-might-nein-series-amazon-prime-video-deal-1235502070/ . live .
  56. Web site: Spangler . Todd . March 29, 2023 . Critical Role Makes First Entertainment Acquisition, Buying Sci-Fi Podcast 'Midst' From Its Three Anonymous Founders . March 29, 2023 . Variety . en-US . March 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329165006/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/critical-role-acquires-midst-podcast-1235567942/ . live .
  57. Web site: March 29, 2023 . Critical Role Buys Midst Podcast . March 29, 2023 . . en . March 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329164926/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-midst-podcast-metapigeon/ . live .
  58. Web site: Tyrrell . Caitlin . March 29, 2023 . Critical Role's Metapigeon Acquires Sci-Fi Fantasy Podcast Midst . March 29, 2023 . Screen Rant . en . March 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329162258/https://screenrant.com/critical-role-metapigeon-midst-podcast/ . live .
  59. Web site: Law . Eric . July 10, 2023 . Critical Role Removes Hundreds of Videos from YouTube . July 10, 2023 . Game Rant . en . July 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230711010342/https://gamerant.com/critical-role-youtube-videos-brian-wayne-foster-removed/ . live .
  60. Web site: Fragen . Jordan . 2023-12-08 . Tales of Kenzera: Zau explores grief through 2.5-D action . 2024-02-20 . VentureBeat . en-US.
  61. Web site: Ramée . Jordan . February 1, 2024 . Tales Of Kenzera: Zau's Tabletop Inspirations And Rhythmic Combat Are Making Me Excited . February 20, 2024 . GameSpot.
  62. Web site: Hoffer . Christian . February 28, 2024 . Critical Role Announces Daggerheart Open Beta Playtest . February 28, 2024 . . en.
  63. Web site: Stretch . Andrew . 2024-02-28 . Critical Role's Daggerheart Announces Open Beta Playtesting Date . 2024-02-28 . TechRaptor . en.
  64. Web site: Teh . Cheryl . May 15, 2024 . Critical Role returns to its fast and loose livestream roots to promote its Hasbro-killer board game empire . May 15, 2024 . . en-US.
  65. News: Parvini . Sarah . May 9, 2024 . As D&D booms, 'Critical Role' makes its own kind of nerd celebrity . subscription . May 9, 2024 . The Washington Post.
  66. News: Power. Ed. January 17, 2021. You gotta roll with it: How livestreaming made Dungeons and Dragons cool. en. The Independent. January 18, 2021. July 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709210838/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/games/features/dungeons-and-dragons-d-d-critical-role-b1786857.html. live.
  67. Web site: Spangler . Todd . 2019-03-02 . Legendary Is Shutting Down Alpha Streaming Service From Nerdist, Geek & Sundry . 2023-05-20 . Variety . en-US . 2023-03-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230324102443/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/alpha-shutting-down-nerdist-geek-sundry-1203153826/ . live .
  68. Web site: Teh . Cheryl . May 9, 2024 . Critical Role is expanding its nerd empire. One longtime partner is about to be left in the dust. . May 10, 2024 . . en-US.
  69. Web site: June 8, 2017. Critical Role Celebrates Their 100th Episode Tonight!. https://web.archive.org/web/20171022141558/http://geekandsundry.com/critical-role-celebrates-their-100th-episode-tonight/. dead. October 22, 2017. Geek & Sundry. June 9, 2017.
  70. News: Lancaster. Luke. June 8, 2017. Critical Role rolls on to 100 episodes of live-action D&D. CNET. June 12, 2017. June 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170608180722/https://www.cnet.com/news/critical-role-rolls-on-to-100-episodes-of-live-action-d-d/. live.
  71. News: Kenreck. Todd. June 8, 2017. Critical Role's 100th Episode Tonight Is A Milestone For D&D. Forbes. June 12, 2017. June 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170609004652/https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddkenreck/2017/06/08/critical-roles-100th-episode-tonight-is-a-milestone-for-dd/#6c8109727710. live.
  72. Web site: January 8, 2018. Vox Machina EP. 115 - The Chapter Closes. https://web.archive.org/web/20180112021652/http://criticalrolepodcast.geekandsundry.com/e/episode-115-the-chapter-closes/. dead. January 12, 2018. May 29, 2018. Geek & Sundry.
  73. News: January 10, 2018. Here's Where You Can Watch and Listen to Critical Role's New Campaign. Geek & Sundry. https://web.archive.org/web/20180111164538/https://geekandsundry.com/heres-where-you-can-watch-and-listen-to-critical-roles-new-campaign/. dead. January 11, 2018. May 29, 2018.
  74. Web site: Talks Machina. Critical Role. Talks Machina (starting with Episode 101) will also be available moving forward in podcast format. March 24, 2019. March 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190324173015/https://critrole.com/shows/talks-machina/. dead.
  75. Web site: McWhertor . Michael . May 9, 2024 . Critical Role launches its own subscription service, Beacon . May 10, 2024 . Polygon . en-US.
  76. Web site: Hoffer . Christian . May 9, 2024 . Critical Role Launches Paid Streaming Platform Called Beacon . May 10, 2024 . . en.
  77. Web site: Law . Eric . May 9, 2024 . Critical Role Announces New Streaming Service, Premium Shows, and More . May 10, 2024 . . en.
  78. Critical Role Fans ABANDON Twitch?! The Great Beacon Migration! . May 13, 2024 . The Character Sheet . Hoffer . Christian . May 13, 2024 . 1:20 . . ComicBook.com.
  79. Parvini . Sarah . sarahparvini . 1788608481563652325 . May 9, 2024 . A little @washingtonpost scoop: @CriticalRole is launching its own platform called Beacon (yes critters, like the Luxon) and season 3 of The Legend of Vox Machina is coming this fall. Read my profile — and see what's next for the transmedia empire — here: [LINK] . . May 9, 2024 . https://twitter.com/sarahparvini/status/1788608481563652325 .
  80. Web site: Williams . Isaac . October 13, 2023 . The Best Magical Items Critical Role Characters Used, Ranked . May 10, 2024 . CBR . en.
  81. Book: Mercer, Matthew . Explorer's Guide to Wildemount . . Haeck, James., Introcaso, James., Lockey, Chris., Amundsen, Even. . 2020 . 978-0-7869-6691-2 . Renton, WA . 35–158 . Ch. 2: Factions and Societies, Ch. 3: Wildemount Gazetteer . 1139657849.
  82. 1762953533869945201 . CriticalRole . ⚔️ NEW WAYS TO ADVENTURE You can now become a member on our YouTube channel! Join us for moderated live chat, emojis, and badges, plus instant VOD access after streams on YouTube. Let our own @marisha_ray fill you in with the details! ✨ Join ➡️ [URL] [Video] . Critical Role . Critical Role . February 28, 2024 . February 28, 2024 . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/jv4uP . February 28, 2024 . live . https://twitter.com/CriticalRole/status/1762953533869945201.
  83. Web site: January 21, 2021. Starting today, Critical Role and Talks Machina will now air on both Twitch AND YouTube! Twitch will still be the BEST place to engage with our community with a moderated live chat and immediate access to VODS for Twitch subscribers. The VODs for both Critical Role and Talks Machina will continue to be uploaded to YouTube following their regular schedule, which is Mondays at 12pm Pacific for Critical Role and Thursdays at 12pm Pacific for Talks Machina. <3. April 26, 2021. Twitter. Critical Role. January 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121220122/https://twitter.com/CriticalRole/status/1352375733750906882. live.
  84. Web site: Armstrong. Vanessa. Bullard. Benjamin. 2020-06-26. WIRE Buzz: Critical Role is back, Vagrant Queen canceled & The Beach House terrifies in new trailer. 2020-06-27. SYFY WIRE. en. 2020-10-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20201028054701/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/critical-role-vagrant-queen-the-beach-house. live.
  85. Web site: Spangler. Todd. 2021-09-30. Critical Role Sets Campaign 3 Premiere Date, Will Simulcast First Episode in Cinemark Theaters. 2021-09-30. Variety. en-US. 2021-09-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20210930162738/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/critical-role-campaign-3-premiere-date-cinemark-1235076246/. live.
  86. Web site: Hall. Charlie. 2021-09-30. Critical Role's full season 3 begins next month, live online and in movie theaters. 2021-09-30. Polygon. en-US. 2021-09-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20210930162712/https://www.polygon.com/22702412/dungeons-dragons-critical-role-season-3-premiere-movie-theater-tickets-price. live.
  87. Drawing Beau .
    1. EverythingIsContent
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  88. MAME Drop .
    1. EverythingIsContent
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  89. Web site: 2021-06-10. Critical Role Announces Exandria Unlimited. 2021-06-10. ComicBook.com. en. 2021-06-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20210610163529/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-exandria-unlimited-campaign-3-dungeons-dragons/. live.
  90. Web site: King. Chris. 2021-06-10. Critical Role's next campaign launches this month with a new Dungeon Master. 2021-06-10. Polygon. en. 2021-06-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20210610163529/https://www.polygon.com/22524297/critical-role-next-campaign-new-dm-matt-mercer-aabria-iyengar. live.
  91. Web site: 2021-06-10. Critical Role's next show is Exandria Unlimited. 2021-06-10. VentureBeat. en-US. 2021-06-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20210610165048/https://venturebeat.com/2021/06/10/critical-roles-next-show-is-exandria-unlimited/. live.
  92. Web site: 2021-06-10. Critical Role Stars Lift the Lid on Their New Show, Exandria Unlimited. 2021-06-10. Gizmodo. en-us. 2021-06-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20210610165048/https://gizmodo.com/critical-role-veterans-and-newcomers-lift-the-lid-on-th-1847065584. live.
  93. Web site: Sheehan . Gavin . 2022-03-14 . Critical Role Announces Two New Shows In Latest Video . 2022-03-14 . Bleeding Cool News And Rumors . en . 2022-03-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220314205229/https://bleedingcool.com/games/critical-role-announces-two-new-shows-in-latest-video/ . live .
  94. Web site: Hall . Charlie . 2022-05-13 . Critical Role and Dimension 20 are crossing the streams for a new actual play series . 2022-05-13 . Polygon . en-US . 2022-05-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220513145540/https://www.polygon.com/23070658/critical-role-exandria-unlimited-dimension-20-crossover-brennan-lee-mulligan-aabria-iyengar . live .
  95. Web site: 2022-05-12 . HYPE! Exandria Unlimited: Calamity Premieres Thursday, May 26th! . 2022-05-12 . Critical Role . en-US . . 2022-05-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220512160446/https://critrole.com/hype-exandria-unlimited-calamity-premieres-thursday-may-26th/ . live .
  96. Web site: Radulovic. Petrana. 2019-11-05. Two seasons of the Critical Role animated series coming to Amazon Prime. 2020-06-27. Polygon. en. 2020-04-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20200414055625/https://www.polygon.com/2019/11/5/20947648/critical-role-legend-of-vox-machina-animated-series-amazon-prime-two-seasons. live.
  97. Web site: Otterson . Joe . October 7, 2022 . 'Legend of Vox Machina' Renewed for Season 3 at Amazon . October 7, 2022 . Variety . October 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221007003645/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/legend-of-vox-machina-renewed-season-3-amazon-1235395301/ . live .
  98. Web site: Cao . Caroline . October 7, 2022 . Legend of Vox Machina season 2 and season 3 plans revealed at NYCC . October 7, 2022 . Polygon . en-US . October 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221007152334/https://www.polygon.com/nycc/23392562/legend-vox-machina-season-2-3-critical-role-nycc-cast . live .
  99. Web site: Moreau . Jordan . December 15, 2022 . 'Legend of Vox Machina' Season 2 Trailer: Critical Role's Chroma Conclave Comes to Life . December 15, 2022 . Variety . en-US . December 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221215170041/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/legend-vox-machina-season-2-trailer-critical-role-1235461567/ . live .
  100. Web site: March 14, 2022 . Critical Role Announces Two New Shows . 2022-03-14 . ComicBook.com . en . 2022-03-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220314205229/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-new-shows-announcement/ . live .
  101. Web site: Radulovic . Petrana . 2022-03-14 . Critical Role announces two new series to celebrate its 7th anniversary . 2022-03-14 . Polygon . en-US . 2022-03-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220314205229/https://www.polygon.com/22977603/critical-role-new-series-7-year-anniversary . live .
  102. Web site: 2022-05-26 . Critical Role's new talk show has a problem . 2022-05-26 . Dicebreaker . en . 2022-05-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526123018/https://www.dicebreaker.com/topics/critical-role/opinion/critical-role-talk-show-problem-4-sided-dive . live .
  103. Web site: Codega . Linda . May 9, 2023 . Critical Role Teases a Spooky New Game—and a New System, Too . May 9, 2023 . Gizmodo . en . May 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230509180948/https://gizmodo.com/critical-role-candela-obscura-ttrpg-actual-play-mercer-1850419405 . live .
  104. 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 .
  105. 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 .
  106. Web site: July 22, 2023 . Critical Role presents Candela Obscura! . July 23, 2023 . Critical Role . en-US . Press release . July 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230723041309/https://critrole.com/event/critical-role-presents-candela-obscura/ . live .
  107. Fireside Chat LIVE with Marisha Ray . June 25, 2024 . Fireside Chats . . June 24, 2024 . 1 . 2 . subscription.
  108. News: Macgregor . Jody . June 24, 2024 . Thanks to the abridged version of actual-play RPG series Critical Role, I might make it through a whole campaign for once . June 24, 2024 . . en.
  109. Web site: Hoffer . Christian . May 11, 2024 . Critical Role Launches New Podcast . May 11, 2024 . . en.
  110. Web site: May 20, 2024 . Programming Schedule: Week of May 20th, 2024 . May 20, 2024 . Critical Role . en-US . Press release.
  111. Web site: August 19, 2024 . Programming Schedule: Week of August 19th, 2024 . August 20, 2024 . Critical Role . en-US . Press release.
  112. Web site: Teh . Cheryl . July 11, 2024 . Critical Role is branching out further into the podcasting business and putting 2 heavyweight cast members on a new, experimental show . July 11, 2024 . . en-US.
  113. 1811249193798820320 . midstpodcast . There's more to come from the Cosmos, keep your eyes peeled for updates as we leave the wake of MIDST behind and head MOONWARD… [Teaser trailer] . Midst . Midst . July 11, 2024 . July 11, 2024.
  114. Web site: July 24, 2024 . HYPE! Get Ready For MOONWARD: A Midst Roleplaying Story . July 24, 2024 . Critical Role . en-US . Press release.
  115. Web site: 2023-01-25 . Critical Role's Mighty Nein Heads to Prime Video . 2023-01-25 . Gizmodo . en . 2023-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230125192743/https://gizmodo.com/mighty-nein-critical-role-tv-show-amazon-prime-video-1850029855 . live .
  116. Web site: November 18, 2018. All Work No Play: Hot Tub Spectacular (S1, EP8). 2020-06-25. Critical Role. en-US. 2020-06-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20200628222935/https://critrole.com/qtvideo/all-work-no-play-hot-tub-spectacular-s1-ep8/. dead.
  117. Web site: Romero . Rachel . March 17, 2020 . Important Broadcast Update (March 2020) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200317174243/https://critrole.com/important-broadcast-update/ . March 17, 2020 . March 17, 2020 . Critical Role . Press release.
  118. Web site: March 17, 2020. Critical Role Ends Live Broadcasts Due to Coronavirus. 2021-05-06. ComicBook.com. en. 2021-06-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20210612045414/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-dungeons-and-dragons-coronavirus/. live.
  119. Web site: Bloom. David. Critical Role Pushed To New Path For Its Pandemic Programming. 2020-06-25. Forbes. en. 2021-11-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20211106222402/https://www.forbes.com/sites/dbloom/2020/05/04/critical-role-online-video-programming-coronavirus/. live.
  120. Web site: Wilson. Andy. July 30, 2020. YouTube, Late-Night & More: In Praise of Lo-Fi Television. 2021-01-06. bleedingcool.com. 2021-01-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210109020954/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/youtube-late-night-more-in-praise-of-lo-fi-television/. live.
  121. Web site: Romero . Rachel . September 25, 2019 . HYPE: Fall Programming Schedule . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190927001745/https://critrole.com/hype-fall-programming-schedule/ . September 27, 2019 . June 25, 2020 . Critical Role . en-US . Press release.
  122. Web site: Granshaw. Lisa. 2018-09-19. Exclusive: Critical Role's Brian W. Foster on the debut of their new show, Between the Sheets. 2020-06-25. SYFY WIRE. en. 2020-06-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20200628001104/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-critical-roles-brian-w-foster-on-the-debut-of-their-new-show-between-the-sheets. dead.
  123. Web site: Between the Sheets . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200528000801/https://critrole.com/shows/between-the-sheets/ . 2020-05-28 . 2020-06-25 . Critical Role . en-US.
  124. Web site: Sheehan. Gavin. March 17, 2020. "Critical Role" Suspends Their Broadcasts Due To Coronavirus. 2020-09-11. bleedingcool.com. 2020-11-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109002241/https://bleedingcool.com/games/critical-role-suspends-their-broadcasts-due-to-coronavirus/. live.
  125. Web site: Hoffer. Christian. May 4, 2020. Critical Role Launches New Monthly Show. 2020-06-27. ComicBook.com. en. 2020-06-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20200630202237/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-critter-hug-new-show-youtube/. live.
  126. Web site: May 5, 2020. The First Episode of Critical Role's New Show, Critter Hug, Is Now Live. 2021-05-06. Prima Games. en. 2021-04-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20210423024559/https://primagames.com/feature/critical-role-episode-1-critter-hug. live.
  127. Web site: Carr. Dani. March 22, 2018. Critical Recap: Campaign 2, Episodes 1 - 10 -- The Story So Far. February 3, 2019. Youtube.com. Geek & Sundry. August 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190801103630/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDrGA0fPDig&list=PL1tiwbzkOjQwTrDGSJq1SfKOCEfjE64g3. live.
  128. Web site: Role. Critical. December 17, 2019. PSA: Recap is moving to a written format on Critrole.com in 2020, penned by the inimitable Dani herself!. January 6, 2020. en. June 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220605225643/https://twitter.com/criticalrole/status/1207103227939971072. live.
  129. Web site: 2020-12-27 . Critical Role: Best Moments in the First Animated Recap . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201227222754/https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-animated-recap-best-moments/ . 2020-12-27 . 2021-01-06 . CBR . en-US.
  130. Web site: 2020-12-24 . Critical Role Unleashes Critical Cuteness With Crit Recap Animated . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210205150639/https://www.thegamer.com/critical-role-crit-recap-animated/ . 2021-02-05 . 2021-01-06 . TheGamer . en-US.
  131. Web site: August 1, 2022 . Programming Schedule: Week of August 1, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230207120354/https://critrole.com/programming-schedule-week-of-august-1-2022/ . February 7, 2023 . February 7, 2023 . Critical Role . Press release.
  132. Web site: Hoffer. Christian. August 22, 2018. 'Critical Role' to Explain 'Dungeons & Dragons' Basics in New Weekly Show. 2020-06-27. ComicBook.com. en. 2020-06-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20200630172703/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-handbooker-helper-new-show/. live.
  133. News: Granshaw. Lisa. 29 August 2018. Exclusive: Watch Critical Role's first Handbooker Helper episode and find out what's coming next. Syfy Wire. July 10, 2019. 10 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190710123030/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-watch-critical-roles-first-handbooker-helper-episode-and-find-out-whats-coming. dead.
  134. Web site: Handbooker Helper: Monsterhearts 2. YouTube. 6 February 2020 . February 10, 2020. en. April 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200429005436/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wEloZXYKvE&gl=US&hl=en. live.
  135. Web site: Rachel . Romero . 2019-06-26 . Summer Programming Schedule . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200628215736/https://critrole.com/summer-programming-schedule/ . 2020-06-28 . 2020-06-25 . en-US.
  136. Web site: 2020. I Talked to Taliesin Jaffe and Liam O'Brien About CRITICAL ROLE: THE CHRONICLES OF EXANDRIA - THE MIGHTY NEIN. 2021-05-06. GeekTyrant. en-US. Taliesin: Oh man, we had to drop MAME Drop show to make creative space for some of the new stuff we're developing. I think it's probably gonna be a while before new episodes, but I'm sure the crazy stuff that's coming down the track it's gonna be more than worth it.. 2023-07-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20230711010402/https://geektyrant.com/news/i-talked-to-taliesin-jaffe-and-liam-obrien-about-critical-role-the-chronicles-of-exandria-the-mighty-nein. live.
  137. Web site: March 29, 2023 . Hype: Listen to our New Sci-Fantasy Audio Drama, Midst! . March 29, 2023 . Critical Role . en-US . Press release . March 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329162308/https://critrole.com/hype-listen-to-our-new-sci-fantasy-audio-drama-midst/ . live .
  138. Web site: June 24, 2024 . Programming Schedule: Week of June 24th, 2024 . June 26, 2024 . Critical Role . en-US . Press release . IT’S THE SERIES FINALE OF MIDST!!! Join our three mischievous and unreliable narrators as they spin a surreal, sci-fantasy, space-western tale about complicated antiheroes making bad decisions in a world on the edge of disaster..
  139. Web site: Granshaw. Lisa. 2019-10-30. Exclusive: Will Friedle on painting minis, Critical Role and his new series Mini Primetime. 2020-06-25. SYFY WIRE. en. 2020-06-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20200627154812/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-will-friedle-on-painting-minis-critical-role-and-his-new-series-mini-primetime. live.
  140. Web site: 2019-11-13. Will Friedle dishes on hosting Critical Role's new series Mini Primetime. 2021-05-06. Hidden Remote. en-US. 2021-01-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20210113165449/https://hiddenremote.com/2019/11/13/will-friedle-dishes-hosting-critical-roles-new-series-mini-primetime/. live.
  141. Web site: Mini Primetime: After Dark . . 6 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211217092150/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn6tGRzsbqs&list=PL1tiwbzkOjQz9kKDaPRPrX2E7RPTaxEZd&index=10 . December 17, 2021 . en.
  142. News: Bradley. Adam. 2021-03-24. The Black Nerds Redefining the Culture. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-05-06. 0362-4331. 2021-04-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20210425035451/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/24/t-magazine/black-nerds-culture.html. live.
  143. Web site: Plante. Corey. April 20, 2019. Critical Role: How Babs Tarr Brings D&D Characters to Life on 'Pub Draw'. 2021-05-06. Inverse. en. 2022-06-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20220605231410/https://www.inverse.com/article/54979-critical-role-pub-draw-babs-tarr-interview. live.
  144. Web site: 2020-03-31. Bingeworthy: 'Critical Role' Productions Edition. 2020-06-30. Nerds and Beyond. en. 2020-05-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20200521185526/http://www.nerdsandbeyond.com/2020/03/31/bingeworthy-critical-role-productions-edition/. live.
  145. Web site: Granshaw. Lisa. 2019-10-20. Exclusive: Brian W. Foster dishes on Critical Role's new show UnDeadwood. 2020-06-25. SYFY WIRE. en. 2020-06-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20200628092317/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-brian-w-foster-dishes-on-critical-roles-new-show-undeadwood. live.
  146. News: Spangler. Todd. September 28, 2016. Legendary Digital Sets 'Alpha' Subscription VOD Launch Plans, With Nerdist and Geek & Sundry Programming Slate. Variety. January 21, 2017. December 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191214084916/https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/legendary-digital-alpha-launch-nerdist-geek-sundry-1201872619/. live.
  147. Web site: Ray. Marisha. June 25, 2020. State of the Role: Critical Role Return Updates. June 25, 2020. YouTube. Critical Role. November 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211106235541/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVze229omm4. live.
  148. Web site: Hoffer. Christian. June 25, 2020. Critical Role to Return on July 2nd. 2020-06-25. ComicBook.com. en. 2020-06-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20200627001011/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-returns-covid-19-date/. live.
  149. Web site: September 4, 2020. In case you missed it live… Talks Machina will return on September 15th at 7pm Pacific with new episodes airing every other week! Get hyped for more banter from your faves. Oh! And @BrianWFoster will be there too.. 2020-09-11. Twitter. @CriticalRole. en. 2020-09-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20200904173114/https://twitter.com/CriticalRole/status/1301935729975517184. live.
  150. Web site: Granshaw. Lisa. 2020-09-11. Critical Role's Brian W. Foster reflects on Talks Machina's triumphant quarantine return. 2020-09-11. SYFY WIRE. en. 2020-09-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919182015/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/critical-role-talks-machina-returns-brian-w-foster. live.
  151. Foster and . Brian . BrianWFoster . 1455670307889434624 . November 2, 2021 . Gonna pin this since I get this question here and on IG and in my chat every day: Unfortunately, Talks has been canceled. I believe there are plans for a new "after-show", but @CriticalRole would have that info. That's all I know and can share [Cowboy hat face] . November 2, 2021.
  152. Book: Friedman, Emily C.. Roleplaying Games in the Digital Age: Essays on Transmedia Storytelling, Tabletop RPGs and Fandom. 2021. McFarland. Stephanie Hedge, Jennifer Grouling. 978-1-4766-4201-7. 187–204. Narrative Time in a Live-Streamed Tabletop RPG. 1239982762.
  153. Web site: January 5, 2017 . Update: Where to Watch Talks Machina . https://web.archive.org/web/20211217091804/https://geekandsundry.com/update-where-to-watch-talks-machina/ . December 17, 2021 . Geek & Sundry . Now, if you want to watch Talks Machina on Alpha, you can expect an additional 15-20 minutes of questions for the cast, sourced from the Alpha forums and chat. Think of it as an after show for your after show..
  154. News: Roepel . Ashley . 21 February 2019 . Talks Machina Celebrates 100 Episodes . https://web.archive.org/web/20211222200629/https://thenerdstash.com/talks-machina-celebrates-100-episodes/ . December 22, 2021 . The Nerd Stash . It was announced that going forward, Talks Machina would no longer stream on the Geek and Sundry platform but instead but on the Critical Role platform exclusively. And, temporarily, the 'after dark' portion of the show would be suspended since the parting..
  155. Web site: Fireside Chat Talks Machina . Nerdist . https://web.archive.org/web/20211217091819/https://nerdist.com/watch/video/fireside-chat-talks-machina/ . December 17, 2021.
  156. News: Johnston. Rich. September 20, 2017. Critical Role Gets A Comic Book Origin For The Vox Machina, Out Now. Bleeding Cool. September 23, 2017. September 23, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170923095832/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/09/20/critical-role-comic-origin-cox-machina/. live.
  157. Web site: Hoffer. Christian. July 10, 2019. Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins II #1 Review: Capturing the Spirit of the Beloved D&D Web Series. 2020-09-03. ComicBook.com. en. 2020-06-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20200626181801/https://comicbook.com/comics/news/critical-role-vox-machina-origins-ii-1-review-dark-horse/. live.
  158. Web site: Romero. Rachel. August 18, 2017. Announcing the First Critical Role Art Book!. https://web.archive.org/web/20170819144626/http://geekandsundry.com/announcing-the-first-critical-role-art-book/. dead. August 19, 2017. August 18, 2017. Geek & Sundry.
  159. Web site: Romero. Rachel. March 11, 2019. HYPE: Dark Horse Comic Series Updates & The Mighty Nein Art Book. March 18, 2019. Critical Role. March 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190314184846/https://critrole.com/hype-dark-horse-comic-series-updates-the-mighty-nein-art-book/. live.
  160. Web site: Whitbrook. James. 2021-03-25. Critical Role's Sibling Tag Team Is Getting Its Own Prequel Novel. 2021-03-25. io9. en-us. 2021-03-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325150118/https://io9.gizmodo.com/critical-roles-sibling-tag-team-is-getting-its-own-preq-1846529075. live.
  161. Web site: 2021-11-19. REVIEW: Critical Role Novel Vox Machina - Kith & Kin Provides a New Way to Explore Exandria. 2021-11-22. CBR. en-US. 2021-11-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20211122185119/https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-vox-machina-kith-kin-book-review/. live.
  162. Web site: Sass. Evan. August 14, 2016. Geek & Sundry Partners with Green Ronin to Create RPG Books Based on its Groundbreaking Show - Critical Role. May 20, 2017. Green Ronin Publishing. May 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170506132655/http://greenronin.com/blog/2016/08/08/press-release-geek-sundry-and-green-ronin-to-create-critical-role-rpg-books/. live.
  163. Web site: Hall. Charlie. January 13, 2020. The next D&D book is a Critical Role tie-in. January 19, 2020. Polygon. en. January 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200114175413/https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/13/21063626/critical-role-dungeons-and-dragons-book-pre-order-release-date-price. live.
  164. Web site: December 23, 2020. We Review The Critical Role Funko POP Collection. 2021-05-05. Bleeding Cool. 2021-05-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516015126/https://bleedingcool.com/collectibles/we-review-the-critical-role-funko-pop-collection/. live.
  165. Web site: CriticalRole's Subs Count and Statistics . TwitchTracker . June 1, 2021 . en . June 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210611163527/https://twitchtracker.com/criticalrole/subscribers . live .
  166. Web site: Zeoli . Rowan . May 31, 2024 . Can anyone make a living in tabletop and actual play? . subscription . May 31, 2024 . Rascal News . en.
  167. Web site: Hoffer . Christian . March 12, 2023 . Critical Role Celebrates 8th Anniversary . March 12, 2023 . . en . March 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230312221352/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-8th-anniversary-campaign-3-first-episode-birthday/ . live .
  168. News: Winkie . Luke . 2023-08-13 . The Game Master . en-US . Slate . 2023-08-13 . 1091-2339 . 2023-08-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230813162642/https://slate.com/human-interest/2023/08/dungeons-dragons-critical-role-matthew-mercer-twitch.html . live .
  169. Švelch . Jan . December 2022 . Mediatization of tabletop role-playing: The intertwined cases of Critical Role and D&D Beyond . Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies . en . 28 . 6 . 1662–1678 . 10.1177/13548565221111680 . 1354-8565 . SagePub . 2024-02-06 . 2024-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240205210554/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13548565221111680 . live .
  170. Web site: Chancey . Tyler . May 9, 2024 . Critical Role Beacon Membership Service Announced . May 10, 2024 . TechRaptor . en.
  171. Web site: Taveras . Moises . May 10, 2024 . Popular D&D Group Critical Role Asks Fans To Pay Because YouTube And Twitch Suck . May 10, 2024 . . en.
  172. Web site: McCauley . Tara . May 9, 2024 . Critical Role Unveils Member Platform Beacon & People Are Drawing Comparison to Watcher Controversy . May 10, 2024 . . en-US.
  173. News: Codega . Linda . Dungeons & Dragons' New License Tightens Its Grip on Competition . January 16, 2023 . Gizmodo . January 5, 2023 . en . January 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111115214/https://gizmodo.com/dnd-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl-1-1-open-gaming-license-1849950634 . live .
  174. Book: Mercer . Matthew . Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting . Haeck . James . . 2017 . 978-1-934547-84-7 . Seattle, WA . 143 . 1000342575.
  175. Book: Mercer, Matthew . Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn . 2022 . James Haeck, Hannah Rose, Genel Jumalon, Lauren Walsh, Andy Law, Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, Liam O'Brien, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, Travis Willingham, John Stavropoulos, Aabria Iyengar . 978-1-7373725-0-9 . Revised . . 280 . 1298901488 . 2023-01-17 . 2023-07-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230711010347/https://www.worldcat.org/title/1298901488 . live .
  176. Web site: Walsh . Kit . 2023-01-10 . Beware the Gifts of Dragons: How D&D's Open Gaming License May Have Become a Trap for Creators . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230112003746/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/01/beware-gifts-dragons-how-dds-open-gaming-license-may-have-become-trap-creators . 2023-01-12 . 2023-01-12 . . en.
  177. 1614019463367610392. CriticalRole. From all of us at Critical Role..
  178. Web site: Stephenson . Cassidy . 2023-01-14 . Critical Role Responds to the WotC OGL Controversy, Supports Content Creators . 2023-01-17 . CBR . en . 2023-01-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230116235904/https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-responds-wotc-ogl-controversy/ . live .
  179. Web site: Orland . Kyle . 2023-01-17 . Game makers stage mass exodus from Dungeons & Dragons' "open" license . 2023-01-18 . Ars Technica . en-us . 2023-01-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230117215058/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/01/game-makers-stage-mass-exodus-from-dungeons-dragons-open-license/ . live .
  180. Web site: January 17, 2023 . Critical Role Issues Ambiguous Response to 'D&D' OGL 1.1 Controversy . January 17, 2023 . . en . January 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230117164600/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/53086/critical-role-issues-ambiguous-response-d-d-ogl-1-1-controversy . live .
  181. News: Borgonia . Geoff . January 16, 2023 . D&D fans angered at WoTC insider email and Critical Role over OGL 1.1 response . Xfire . January 16, 2023 . February 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209173456/https://www.xfire.com/dnd-dungeons-and-dragons-wotc-leak-email-critical-role-ogl/ . live .
  182. News: Law . Eric . Critical Role Releases Official Statement on Dungeons and Dragons OGL Controversy . January 17, 2023 . Game Rant . January 16, 2023 . en . January 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230117143744/https://gamerant.com/critical-role-dungeons-and-dragons-ogl-controversy-statement-reaction/ . live .
  183. Why D&D's OGL Response RUINED Their Brand . January 15, 2023 . . . The Character Sheet . January 16, 2023 . Hoffer, Christian . January 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230116001931/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXmHJgVoZyI . live .
  184. Web site: 2023-01-23 . Critical Role's Cast Supports Independent Creators and New Systems . 2023-01-23 . Gizmodo . en . 2023-01-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230123205020/https://gizmodo.com/critical-role-matt-mercer-marisha-ray-opendnd-dnd-ogl-1850019716 . live .
  185. Web site: Critical Role - The Shorty Awards. May 6, 2019. ShortyAwards.com. January 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220123192910/https://shortyawards.com/11th/critical-role. live.
  186. Web site: Critical Role - The Shorty Awards . July 11, 2023 . . May 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529003251/https://shortyawards.com/13th/critical-role . live .
  187. Sources for this event are:
  188. Web site: Alexander. Julia. 2020-10-07. Critical Role's next big move is a charity organization that fans can donate to all year round. 2020-10-07. The Verge. en. 2020-10-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20201010134408/https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/7/21505658/critical-role-foundation-charity-ashley-johnson-twitch-fans-community. live.
  189. Web site: Puc. Samantha. 2020-09-24. Critical Role Announces 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Foundation. 2020-09-24. CBR. en-US. 2020-10-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20201004083305/https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-foundation-announcement/. live.
  190. Web site: 2020-09-24. Critical Role Foundation Critical Role. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200924170138/https://critrole.com/foundation/. 2020-09-24. 2020-09-24. en-US.
  191. Web site: Puc. Samantha. 2020-09-24. INTERVIEW: Critical Role Foundation President Ashley Johnson Says Critters Inspired New Nonprofit. 2020-09-24. CBR. en-US. 2020-10-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20201029160252/https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-foundation-ashley-johnson-interview/. live.
  192. Web site: October 26, 2022 . Choose Stephen's Adventure… Again! The 7th Shorty Impact Awards . October 26, 2022 . . October 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026174310/https://shortyawards.com/7th-impact/choose-stephens-adventure-again . live .

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