Critical Role Productions
{{Short description|Multimedia production company}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Critical Role Productions, LLC
| logo = Critical_Role_logo,_black_2017.png
| 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.
| type =
| industry = {{unbulleted list|Web series production|Film and television production|Tabletop games|Streaming service}}
| genre =
| foundation = 2015
| founders = {{unbulleted list|Travis Willingham|Marisha Ray|Taliesin Jaffe|Ashley Johnson|Liam O'Brien|Laura Bailey|Sam Riegel|Matthew Mercer}}
| location_city = Los Angeles, California
| locations =
| area_served =
| key_people = {{unbulleted list|Travis Willingham (CEO)|Matthew Mercer (CCO)|Marisha Ray (creative director)|Ed Lopez (COO)|Rachel Romero (SVP of marketing)|Ben Van Der Fluit (SVP of business development)}}
| products =
| services =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| divisions =
| subsid = Darrington Press
Metapigeon
Scanlan Shorthalt Music
| footnotes =
| location_country = United States
| homepage = {{URL|https://critrole.com/}}
{{URL|darringtonpress.com}}
{{URL|beacon.tv}}
}}
Critical Role Productions, LLC is a multimedia production company incorporated in 2015 by the members of the creator-owned streaming show Critical Role. The company's first two shows, Critical Role and Talks Machina, originally premiered on Geek & Sundry. The company moved to its own studio space in 2018 and began producing new shows on its 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. Since then, the company has continued to launch new shows independently.
Critical Role Productions operates under several trade names for different forms of media, including the gaming imprint Darrington Press, the record label Scanlan Shorthalt Music, and the film and television production banner Metapigeon. In 2020, they established the Critical Role Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to manage the company's charity projects. In 2023, Critical Role Productions signed a first-look film and television deal with Amazon Studios, and in 2024, they launched a boutique subscription streaming service called Beacon.
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History
=Geek & Sundry era (2015–2019) =
Critical Role Productions was founded by the members of the creator-owned Dungeons & Dragons streaming show Critical Role in 2015.{{cite news|last1=Bunge|first1=Nicole|date=June 18, 2018|title='Critical Role' Goes Solo|language=en|work=ICv2|url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/40677/critical-role-goes-solo|access-date=July 27, 2019|archive-date=July 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727190044/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/40677/critical-role-goes-solo|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=CRITICAL ROLE PRODUCTIONS, LLC|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ca/201512810264|access-date=September 23, 2019|website=opencorporates.com|publisher=OpenCorporates}} The group had originally begun playing at home in 2012. Felicia Day approached them about live-streaming their game on Geek & Sundry after learning about their private tabletop role-playing game from Ashley Johnson.{{Cite web|last=Furniss|first=Zack|date=2016-02-26|title=Inside Critical Role: The Live D&D show led by voices you might recognize|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/inside-critical-role-the-live-d-d-show-led-by-voices-you-might-recognize-342464.phtml|access-date=2020-06-28|website=Destructoid|language=english|archive-date=2021-05-15|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Burlingame|first=Russ|date=September 29, 2016|title=With Critical Role, Geek & Sundry Score A Hit By Bringing Friends Together For D&D|work=ComicBook.com|url=http://comicbook.com/2016/09/15/critical-role-cast-score-a-hit/|access-date=November 1, 2016|archive-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105223032/http://comicbook.com/2016/09/15/critical-role-cast-score-a-hit|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Shea|first=Brian|date=December 22, 2016|title=How Popular Voice Actors Took A D&D Game Global With Critical Role|magazine=Game Informer|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/22/how-popular-voice-actors-took-dungeons-and-dragons-game-global-with-critical-role.aspx|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} To streamline the game's mechanics for the show, its characters were converted from Pathfinder to Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition before the web series began airing on March 12, 2015.{{cite news|last=Sheehan|first=Gavin|date=June 8, 2017|title='Critical Role' Is About To Throw A Nat 100 On Episodes|work=Bleeding Cool|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/06/07/critical-role-about-to-throw-a-nat-100-on-episodes/|access-date=June 8, 2017|archive-date=June 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611191044/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/06/07/critical-role-about-to-throw-a-nat-100-on-episodes/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=December 17, 2018|title=Travis Willingham, Marisha Ray, and Matthew Mercer: "Critical Role" Talks at Google|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kTJxgNCdw4&t=37m00s|access-date=December 19, 2018|website=Youtube.com|publisher=Google|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806131553/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kTJxgNCdw4&t=37m00s|url-status=live}} The company's first show, Critical Role, was a success.{{Cite book|last=Carbonell|first=Curtis D.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1129971339|title=Dread Trident: Tabletop Role-Playing Games and the Modern Fantastic|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2019|isbn=978-1-78962-468-7|location=Liverpool|pages=107–108|chapter=Chapter 3: Dungeons and Dragons Multiverse|oclc=1129971339|access-date=2020-07-03|archive-date=2020-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703072151/https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1129971339|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2017-06-09|title=Twitch D&D Show 'Critical Role' Is Helping Fuel The Game's Renaissance|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/06/twitch-dd-show-critical-role-is-helping-fuel-the-games-renaissance/|access-date=2020-07-03|website=Kotaku Australia|language=en-AU|archive-date=2020-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703051119/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/06/twitch-dd-show-critical-role-is-helping-fuel-the-games-renaissance/|url-status=dead}} The company's second show, Talks Machina, premiered on Geek & Sundry and Alpha, Legendary Digital Networks' subscription streaming service, in 2016.{{Cite web|date=2016-11-07|title=Presenting Talks Machina|url=https://geekandsundry.com/presenting-talks-machina/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628233050/https://geekandsundry.com/presenting-talks-machina/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 28, 2020|access-date=2020-06-27|website=Geek and Sundry|language=en}}
In June 2018, Critical Role launched its own Twitch and YouTube channels, with cast member Marisha Ray announced as the creative director of the franchise. The company then began self-producing new shows and content that did not air on Geek & Sundry's channels.{{cite news|last=Hoffer|first=Christian|date=June 18, 2018|title=Critical Role Teases New Content With Opening of New Studio, Twitch and Youtube Channel|website=ComicBook.com|url=http://comicbook.com/gaming/2018/06/18/critical-role-new-studio-content/|access-date=August 14, 2018|archive-date=August 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813162432/http://comicbook.com/gaming/2018/06/18/critical-role-new-studio-content|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Jevon|date=2019-11-06|title=They started out playing Dungeons & Dragons. Now they're coming to Amazon Prime|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-11-06/amazon-prime-critical-role-vox-machina|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119050025/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-11-06/amazon-prime-critical-role-vox-machina|archive-date=2019-11-19|access-date=2020-06-27|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Whitten|first=Sarah|date=2020-03-14|title=How Critical Role helped spark a Dungeons & Dragons renaissance|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/14/critical-role-helped-spark-a-dungeons-dragons-renaissance.html|access-date=2020-06-30|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=2021-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812013515/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/14/critical-role-helped-spark-a-dungeons-dragons-renaissance.html|url-status=live}} The sets for Critical Role and Talks Machina moved from Legendary Digital Network's studios to Critical Role's own studios in July 2018.{{Cite web|date=2018-06-19|title=Critical Role separates from Geek & Sundry to create new shows|url=https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/critical-role-separates-from-geek-sundry-to-create-new-shows/|access-date=2020-06-27|website=Tabletop Gaming|archive-date=2020-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109005942/https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/critical-role-separates-from-geek-sundry-to-create-new-shows|url-status=live}}
The eight founders—the cast members of Critical Role―are the owners of equity stakes in the company.{{Cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=October 14, 2021|title=Inside Critical Role's Growing D&D Fantasy Empire and the Making of 'The Legend of Vox Machina' for Amazon|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/features/critical-role-amazon-legend-of-vox-machina-1235088274/|access-date=October 15, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=October 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014160745/https://variety.com/2021/digital/features/critical-role-amazon-legend-of-vox-machina-1235088274/|url-status=live}} Since 2019, Travis Willingham has served as Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Mercer as Chief Creative Officer,{{Cite web|title=Critical Role|url=https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2019/video/video-series-channels/games/critical-role/|access-date=April 23, 2019|publisher=The Webby Awards|archive-date=April 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423155028/https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2019/video/video-series-channels/games/critical-role/|url-status=live}} and Marisha Ray as Creative Director.{{cite news|date=March 17, 2019|title=Watch ECCC: Critical Role cast talks about the animated series and reads a new scene|work=Syfy Wire|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/watch-eccc-critical-role-cast-talks-about-the-animated-series-and-reads-a-new-scene|access-date=April 7, 2019|archive-date=April 7, 2019|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} Several senior Legendary Digital staff members joined Critical Role during the split: Ed Lopez, head of digital strategy and operations, became chief operating officer;{{cite web |last1=Lopez |first1=Ed |title=Alpha Update |url=https://medium.com/ldn-blog/alpha-update-6718fc4d2035 |website=Legendary Digital Networks Blog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130214557/https://medium.com/ldn-blog/alpha-update-6718fc4d2035 |archive-date=January 30, 2022 |language=en |date=October 27, 2016}} Rachel Romero, vice president of marketing, took on the role of senior vice president of marketing;{{cite web |title=Rachel Romero {{!}} Critical Role |url=https://critrole.com/members/rachel-romero/ |website=Critical Role |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115135721/https://critrole.com/members/rachel-romero/ |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |date=March 28, 2018}} and Ben Van Der Fluit was appointed senior vice president of business development.{{cite web |title=Ben Van Der Fluit |url=https://critrole.com/members/ben-van-der-fluit/ |website=Critical Role |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420000112/https://critrole.com/members/ben-van-der-fluit/ |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |date=March 27, 2018}}
=Independent studio (2019–2021)=
Critical Role's split from Geek & Sundry and Legendary Digital Networks was completed in February 2019. From this point, Critical Role took over production responsibility for the Critical Role and Talks Machina shows, with live broadcasts and video on demand (VOD) now airing exclusively on Critical Role's own channels.{{cite web|last=Romero|first=Rachel|date=February 19, 2019|title=Critical Role and Talks Machina broadcast updates|url=https://critrole.com/critical-role-talks-machina-broadcast-updates/|access-date=February 24, 2019|publisher=Critical Role|archive-date=February 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224173850/https://critrole.com/critical-role-talks-machina-broadcast-updates/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Jeremy|date=February 19, 2019|title=D&D Streaming Series Critical Role Leaves Geek & Sundry, Moves to Its Own Channel|url=http://411mania.com/games/dd-streaming-series-critical-role-leaves-geek-sundry-moves-to-its-own-channel/|access-date=2020-06-27|website=411MANIA|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220095933/https://411mania.com/games/dd-streaming-series-critical-role-leaves-geek-sundry-moves-to-its-own-channel/|url-status=dead}} The disengagement from Legendary's streaming service Alpha led to the cancellation of Talks Machina: After Dark, which had been exclusive to the service. Some legacy episodes—including the entirety of the first campaign, the first nineteen episodes of the second campaign, and the corresponding episodes of official discussion show Talks Machina—remained available in Geek & Sundry's archives on YouTube and Twitch. Starting in December 2019, some older content was migrated from Geek & Sundry to Critical Role's channels.{{Cite web|last=Willingham|first=Travis|date=December 20, 2019|title=End of 2019 Fireside Chat|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLEuog9UDXs&t|access-date=2020-06-30|website=YouTube|publisher=Critical Role|archive-date=2020-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901031920/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLEuog9UDXs&t|url-status=live}}{{rp|0:45}}
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.{{cite web|title=Critical Role: The Legend of Vox Machina Animated Special|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/criticalrole/critical-role-the-legend-of-vox-machina-animated-s|website=Kickstarter|access-date=March 4, 2019|archive-date=July 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710005427/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/criticalrole/critical-role-the-legend-of-vox-machina-animated-s|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Whitten|first=Sarah|date=March 4, 2019|title=Critical Role fans finance Dungeons & Dragons Kickstarter in an hour|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/04/critical-role-fans-finance-dungeons--dragons-kickstarter-in-an-hour.html|access-date=March 5, 2019|archive-date=March 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304215848/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/04/critical-role-fans-finance-dungeons--dragons-kickstarter-in-an-hour.html|url-status=live}} The final total raised by the Kickstarter when it closed on April 19, 2019, was $11.3 million, allowing the intended animated special to be expanded into a ten-episode animated series.{{Cite web|date=April 19, 2019|title=Update #16: THANK YOU.|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/criticalrole/critical-role-the-legend-of-vox-machina-animated-s/posts/2484630|access-date=April 19, 2019|website=Kickstarter|series=Critical Role: The Legend of Vox Machina Animated Special|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419071818/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/criticalrole/critical-role-the-legend-of-vox-machina-animated-s/posts/2484630|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=November 5, 2019|title=Amazon Orders Two Seasons of Critical Role's Animated D&D Series|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/critical-role-amazon-prime-video-legend-of-vox-machina-1203388522/|work=Variety|access-date=November 5, 2019|archive-date=January 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103130959/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/critical-role-amazon-prime-video-legend-of-vox-machina-1203388522/|url-status=live}} When the campaign closed, it was one of the fastest-funded projects in Kickstarter history and held the record for the most funded Kickstarter campaign for TV and film projects.{{cite news|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|date=March 5, 2019|title=Critical Role Expands 'Vox Machina' Animated D&D Special to 88 Minutes, Tops $4.3 Million Raised in One Day|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/critical-role-vox-machina-88-minutes-kickstarter-funding-1203155446/|access-date=March 5, 2019|archive-date=March 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306003458/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/critical-role-vox-machina-88-minutes-kickstarter-funding-1203155446/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Dornbush|first1=Jonathon|date=March 7, 2019|title=Update: Critical Role Kickstarter Breaks Record, Reveals Episode Plans|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/05/critical-role-dd-kickstarter-hits-5-million-animated-special-will-now-be-a-series|access-date=March 9, 2019|archive-date=April 6, 2019|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} In November 2019, Amazon Prime Video announced that it had acquired the streaming rights to The Legend of Vox Machina, and had commissioned fourteen additional episodes—two more for the first season, and a second season consisting of twelve episodes. The project was originally slated for release in late 2020, but was delayed until 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news|last1=Hoffer|first1=Christian|title=Critical Role Confirms Animated Series Delayed Due to COVID-19|language=en|publisher=comicbook.com|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-animated-series-delay-covid-19/|access-date=June 27, 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626023356/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-animated-series-delay-covid-19/|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|last=Romano|first=Nick|date=December 20, 2021|title='The Legend of Vox Machina' sets earlier premiere date with new clip|url=https://ew.com/tv/the-legend-of-vox-machina-2022-premiere-door-lock-video/|access-date=December 20, 2021|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=en|archive-date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124203518/https://ew.com/tv/the-legend-of-vox-machina-2022-premiere-door-lock-video/|url-status=live}}
In September 2019, Critical Role announced that it had negotiated licensing agreements with Funko, McFarlane Toys, Penguin Random House, and Ripple Junction to produce merchandise such as apparel and collectibles.{{Cite web|date=September 27, 2019|title=Critical Role Is Getting Funko Pop!, Action Figures, and More|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-funko-mcfarlane-toys-apparel-dungeons-and-dragons/|access-date=2021-05-05|website=ComicBook.com|language=en|archive-date=2021-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505230023/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-funko-mcfarlane-toys-apparel-dungeons-and-dragons/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=September 28, 2019|title=Critical Role appoints Collaborations Licensing|url=https://www.licenseindia.com/archives/news/critical-role-appoints-collaborations-licensing|access-date=2021-05-07|website=License India|language=en-in|archive-date=2021-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507150540/https://www.licenseindia.com/archives/news/critical-role-appoints-collaborations-licensing|url-status=live}} On October 3, it aired a sponsored one-shot using the Feast of Legends RPG system, developed by fast-food chain Wendy's.{{Cite web|last=Sherwood|first=I-Hsien|date=2019-10-04|title=Wendy's new role-playing game lets players (and their dice) defend 'Freshtovia' from frozen beef|url=https://adage.com/creativity/work/wendys-feast-legends/2204156|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009055959/https://adage.com/creativity/work/wendys-feast-legends/2204156|archive-date=October 9, 2019|access-date=2021-01-11|website=adage.com|language=en}} Following a strong negative response from some fans,{{Cite web|date=2019-10-09|title=RPG: Critical Role Faces Backlash After Wendy's RPG One Shot|url=https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2019/10/rpg-critical-role-faces-backlash-after-wendys-rpg-one-shot.html|access-date=2021-01-11|website=Bell of Lost Souls|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106181218/https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2019/10/rpg-critical-role-faces-backlash-after-wendys-rpg-one-shot.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1227865379|title=The Routledge Handbook of Remix Studies and Digital Humanities|date=2021|others=Eduardo Navas, Owen Gallagher, xtine burrough|isbn=978-0-429-35587-5|location=New York, NY|oclc=1227865379|quote=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.}} the Critical Role team removed the VOD,{{cite news|last1=Williamson|first1=Evan|date=October 14, 2019|title=Wendy's expands its focus beyond food|work=Western Courier|url=https://westerncourier.com/45614/the-edge/wendys-expands-its-focus-beyond-food/|access-date=October 23, 2019|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807144054/https://westerncourier.com/45614/the-edge/wendys-expands-its-focus-beyond-food/|url-status=dead}} and announced via Twitter that they had donated their profits from the sponsorship.{{cite news|last1=Girdwood|first1=Andrew|date=July 7, 2020|title=Critical Role officially denies any wrongdoing with a consultant|work=Geek Native|url=https://www.geeknative.com/74499/critical-role-officially-denies-any-wrongdoing-with-a-consultant/|access-date=January 11, 2021|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125053855/https://www.geeknative.com/74499/critical-role-officially-denies-any-wrongdoing-with-a-consultant/|url-status=live}} Shelly Jones, in an essay in the book Watch Us Roll (2021), speculated that the decision may have been made by the show's development team to deflect criticism about the "failed experiment".{{Cite book|last=Jones|first=Shelly|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1267420585|title=Watch Us Roll: Essays on Actual Play and Performance in Tabletop Role-Playing Games|year=2021|isbn=978-1-4766-4343-4|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|pages=136–157|chapter=Actual Play Audience as Archive: Analyzing the Critical Role Fandom|oclc=1267420585|access-date=2021-10-01|archive-date=2022-05-04|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{rp|149}} 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 outside counsel to investigate the claim. Whilst the investigation concluded the investigation 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 hiatus of four months 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.{{Citation |title=State of the Role: Critical Role Return Updates | date=25 June 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVze229omm4 |language=en |access-date=2022-04-23 |archive-date=2021-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106235541/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVze229omm4 |url-status=live }} Darrington Press, a new board and card game publishing imprint, was announced by Critical Role in October 2020.{{Cite web|last=Dornbush|first=Jonathon|date=October 27, 2020|title=Critical Role Announces New Board Game Publishing Label, Darrington Press; 4 Games Planned for 2021|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/critical-role-announces-new-board-game-publishing-label-darrington-press-4-games-planned-for-2021|access-date=October 27, 2020|website=IGN|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} In August 2021, Brian W. Foster, the host of Talks Machina and other shows, left the company to pursue other creative endeavors. This move effectively ended Talks Machina and Between the Sheets, the latter of which had been on hiatus since the pandemic.{{Cite web|date=August 16, 2021|title=Long-Time Critical Role Cast Member Leaves|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-brian-w-foster-leaving-studio/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=ComicBook.com|language=en|archive-date=2022-05-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530203301/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-brian-w-foster-leaving-studio/|url-status=live}} Critical Role returned to its pre-pandemic common table format with the launch of the third campaign in October 2021. In 2022, a new aftershow, 4-Sided Dive, was introduced.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-14 |title=HYPE: Celebrate Critical Role's 7-Year Anniversary With an Entire Week of Fun! {{!}} Critical Role |url=https://critrole.com/hype-celebrate-critical-roles-7-year-anniversary-with-an-entire-week-of-fun/ |access-date=2022-04-23 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316162603/https://critrole.com/hype-celebrate-critical-roles-7-year-anniversary-with-an-entire-week-of-fun/ |url-status=live }}
A Twitch data leak in October 2021 revealed that Critical Role was among the highest earners on Twitch.{{Cite news|date=2021-10-06|title=Twitch confirms massive data breach|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58817658|access-date=2021-10-06|quote=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.|archive-date=2021-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006182125/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58817658|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Grayson|first=Nathan|date=October 6, 2021|title=Massive Twitch hack reveals streamers' pay, with top stars making millions|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/10/06/twitch-hack-pay-xqc-pokimane-summit1g/|access-date=October 6, 2021|quote=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.|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006191030/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/10/06/twitch-hack-pay-xqc-pokimane-summit1g/|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Biazzi|first=Leonardo|date=2021-10-06|title=CriticalRole, xQc, summit1g, and Tfue among the highest earners on Twitch, according to leak|url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/criticalrole-xqc-summit1g-and-tfue-among-the-highest-earners-on-twitch-according-to-leak|access-date=2021-10-06|website=Dot Esports|language=en-US|quote=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.|archive-date=2021-10-07|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=October 6, 2021|title=Twitch hacker leaks entire source code and streamers' incomes for the past three years|work=MarketWatch|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/reported-twitch-hacker-leaks-entire-source-code-and-streamers-incomes-for-the-past-three-years-11633533597|access-date=October 6, 2021|quote=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.|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Espinosa|first=Michael|date=October 9, 2021|title=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|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/twitch-channel-critical-role-was-top-earning-channel-in-leak-2021-10|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009055706/https://www.businessinsider.com/twitch-channel-critical-role-was-top-earning-channel-in-leak-2021-10|archive-date=October 9, 2021|access-date=October 9, 2021|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}} BBC News commented that this list of payments is unlikely to account for tax paid on income, and observed that many streamers featured in the leak are media operations in and of themselves with associated employees and expenses, meaning that the numbers may not represent actual “take-home pay”. Business Insider highlighted that Critical Role “had 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, {{As of|2021|October|lc=y}}, the company had expanded to approximately forty employees, and that it had received no outside funding.
= 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, Welcome to Tal'Dorei. The new project was led by Ray and Senior Producer Maxwell James.{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2022 |title=Critical Role Launches New Record Label, First Album Out Now |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-record-label-welcome-to-taldorei/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625021537/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-record-label-welcome-to-taldorei/ |url-status=live }}
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. The announcement also revealed an upcoming animated series based on the Mighty Nein campaign.{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2023-01-25 |title=Amazon Inks Critical Role to Overall TV and First-Look Film Deal, Greenlights 'Mighty Nein' Animated Series |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/critical-role-might-nein-series-amazon-prime-video-deal-1235502070/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125194904/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/critical-role-might-nein-series-amazon-prime-video-deal-1235502070/ |url-status=live }} Variety reported that the company would continue to produce under its production banner, Metapigeon. In March 2023, Metapigeon announced that it had purchased the space-western science fiction podcast Midst; this was the first time that Critical Role had acquired external intellectual property. The podcast was released with remastered audio and an ad-free subscription option.{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=March 29, 2023 |title=Critical Role Makes First Entertainment Acquisition, Buying Sci-Fi Podcast 'Midst' From Its Three Anonymous Founders |url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/critical-role-acquires-midst-podcast-1235567942/ |access-date=March 29, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329165006/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/critical-role-acquires-midst-podcast-1235567942/ |url-status=live }} In July 2023, Critical Role Productions removed almost all content featuring former host Foster from its channels.{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Eric |date=July 10, 2023 |title=Critical Role Removes Hundreds of Videos from YouTube |url=https://gamerant.com/critical-role-youtube-videos-brian-wayne-foster-removed/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=Game Rant |language=en |archive-date=July 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711010342/https://gamerant.com/critical-role-youtube-videos-brian-wayne-foster-removed/ |url-status=live }} Regarding the potential impact of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike on its content, Critical Role stated that it fully supported the strike and stood in solidarity with actors.{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2023-07-14 |title=Actors' strike will likely have no impact on your favorite actual play series |url=https://www.polygon.com/23795078/actors-strike-sag-aftra-critical-role-actual-play-production-stops |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722182514/https://www.polygon.com/23795078/actors-strike-sag-aftra-critical-role-actual-play-production-stops |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=July 14, 2023 |title=Critical Role Releases Statement on Actors' Strike |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-sag-aftra-strike-release-schedule/ |access-date=July 14, 2023 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719033856/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-sag-aftra-strike-release-schedule/ |url-status=live }}
In December 2023, it was revealed that Critical Role was assisting in the development of the video game Tales of Kenzera: Zau by Surgent Studios.{{Cite web |last=Fragen |first=Jordan |date=2023-12-08 |title=Tales of Kenzera: Zau explores grief through 2.5-D action |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/tales-of-kenzera-zau-explores-grief-through-2-5-d-action/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}{{cite web |last=Ramée |first=Jordan |date=February 1, 2024 |title=Tales Of Kenzera: Zau's Tabletop Inspirations And Rhythmic Combat Are Making Me Excited |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tales-of-kenzera-zaus-tabletop-inspirations-and-rhythmic-combat-are-making-me-excited/1100-6520756/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |work=GameSpot |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220133153/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tales-of-kenzera-zaus-tabletop-inspirations-and-rhythmic-combat-are-making-me-excited/1100-6520756/ |url-status=live }} In February 2024, Critical Role announced that the open beta playtest of Daggerheart, the roleplaying game system by Darrington Press, was scheduled to begin on March 12, 2024, Critical Role
In May 2024, Critical Role announced their new subscription streaming service Beacon.{{Cite news |last=Parvini |first=Sarah |date=May 9, 2024 |title=As D&D booms, 'Critical Role' makes its own kind of nerd celebrity |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2024/05/09/critical-role-dungeons-dragons/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzE1MjI3MjAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzE2NjA5NTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MTUyMjcyMDAsImp0aSI6ImEzZDZjODk2LTEyNjAtNGE2NS1hNzExLTE2M2FlMzBmZWU2OCIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50LzIwMjQvMDUvMDkvY3JpdGljYWwtcm9sZS1kdW5nZW9ucy1kcmFnb25zLyJ9.9pscpvqFtVwNMuSNxVH0LvhbjfpKRM-0_n24copls_0 |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 9, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509164215/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2024/05/09/critical-role-dungeons-dragons/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzE1MjI3MjAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzE2NjA5NTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MTUyMjcyMDAsImp0aSI6ImEzZDZjODk2LTEyNjAtNGE2NS1hNzExLTE2M2FlMzBmZWU2OCIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50LzIwMjQvMDUvMDkvY3JpdGljYWwtcm9sZS1kdW5nZW9ucy1kcmFnb25zLyJ9.9pscpvqFtVwNMuSNxVH0LvhbjfpKRM-0_n24copls_0 |url-status=live }} Sarah Parvini of The Washington Post commented that the new platform would allow Critical Role to "maintain creative control". Michael McWhertor of Polygon speculated that the company was attempting to reduce its reliance on third-party platform providers. In March 2025, CNBC highlighted that "the company has created more than 2,500 hours of original content, more than 30 original shows and published nearly 70 books, comics and novels in the last 10 years, many of which are based on the IP of its games".
Broadcast
Critical Role Productions primarily broadcasts on the Critical Role Twitch and YouTube channels. This includes both livestreaming and VOD.{{cite news|last1=Power|first1=Ed|date=January 17, 2021|title=You gotta roll with it: How livestreaming made Dungeons and Dragons cool|language=en|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/games/features/dungeons-and-dragons-d-d-critical-role-b1786857.html|access-date=January 18, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709210838/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/games/features/dungeons-and-dragons-d-d-critical-role-b1786857.html|url-status=live}} A number of shows were formerly broadcast on Legendary's Alpha service from 2017 to 2019.{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2019-03-02 |title=Legendary Is Shutting Down Alpha Streaming Service From Nerdist, Geek & Sundry |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/alpha-shutting-down-nerdist-geek-sundry-1203153826/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324102443/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/alpha-shutting-down-nerdist-geek-sundry-1203153826/ |url-status=live }} They have also broadcast episodes on their boutique subscription streaming service Beacon since May 2024.{{Cite web |last=Teh |first=Cheryl |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Critical Role is expanding its nerd empire. One longtime partner is about to be left in the dust. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/critical-role-beacon-subscription-service-twitch-membership-2024-5 |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} 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.{{cite web|date=June 8, 2017|title=Critical Role Celebrates Their 100th Episode Tonight!|url=http://geekandsundry.com/critical-role-celebrates-their-100th-episode-tonight/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022141558/http://geekandsundry.com/critical-role-celebrates-their-100th-episode-tonight/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2017|publisher=Geek & Sundry|access-date=June 9, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Lancaster|first=Luke|date=June 8, 2017|title=Critical Role rolls on to 100 episodes of live-action D&D|work=CNET|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/critical-role-rolls-on-to-100-episodes-of-live-action-d-d/|access-date=June 12, 2017|archive-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608180722/https://www.cnet.com/news/critical-role-rolls-on-to-100-episodes-of-live-action-d-d/|url-status=live}} As well as the Critical Role website, the podcast is available on iTunes, Google Play Music,{{cite news|last=Kenreck|first=Todd|date=June 8, 2017|title=Critical Role's 100th Episode Tonight Is A Milestone For D&D|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddkenreck/2017/06/08/critical-roles-100th-episode-tonight-is-a-milestone-for-dd/#6c8109727710|access-date=June 12, 2017|archive-date=June 9, 2017|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} and Spotify. The first campaign's podcast episodes were released in batches of 10–15, between June 8, 2017, and January 8, 2018.{{cite web|date=January 8, 2018|title=Vox Machina EP. 115 - The Chapter Closes|url=http://criticalrolepodcast.geekandsundry.com/e/episode-115-the-chapter-closes/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112021652/http://criticalrolepodcast.geekandsundry.com/e/episode-115-the-chapter-closes/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2018|access-date=May 29, 2018|publisher=Geek & Sundry}} The campaign's episodes took just over 298 hours to listen to at 1.5x speed, or around 224 hours at double speed.{{rp|197}} The podcast episodes for the second campaign were released on the Thursday after the episodes streamed on Twitch.{{Cite news|date=January 10, 2018|title=Here's Where You Can Watch and Listen to Critical Role's New Campaign|publisher=Geek & Sundry|url=https://geekandsundry.com/heres-where-you-can-watch-and-listen-to-critical-roles-new-campaign/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111164538/https://geekandsundry.com/heres-where-you-can-watch-and-listen-to-critical-roles-new-campaign/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2018|access-date=May 29, 2018}} Starting in May 2024, the podcast was made available on the same day as release, exclusively to Beacon subscribers. In an essay on live-streamed tabletop RPGs, Friedman noted that "fans [of Critical Role] often recommend that a listener supplement their experience with strategic viewing of notable visual moments".{{rp|197}}
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 one-week delay between the Twitch broadcast and the corresponding podcast episode's release.{{cite web|title=Talks Machina|url=https://critrole.com/shows/talks-machina/|publisher=Critical Role|quote=Talks Machina (starting with Episode 101) will also be available moving forward in podcast format|access-date=March 24, 2019|archive-date=March 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324173015/https://critrole.com/shows/talks-machina/|url-status=dead}} The Midst podcast was released with an ad-free subscription option that included an early release schedule and other bonus content.
= Beacon =
In May 2024, Critical Role Productions launched Beacon, their subscription video on-demand (VOD) over-the-top (OTT) streaming service. This service hosts the company's podcasts and web series, with additional exclusive content.{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Critical Role launches its own subscription service, Beacon |url=https://www.polygon.com/24152976/critical-role-beacon-subscription-membership |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Critical Role Launches Paid Streaming Platform Called Beacon |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-beacon-streaming-service-membership/ |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}} Business Insider's Teh compared Beacon to a Twitch subscription, but with additional benefits. Moises Taveras of Kotaku commented that in addition to exclusive programming, Beacon subscribers would get "pretty standard benefits", like discounts on merchandise, access to presales for live event tickets, early access to shows, and a private Discord server. 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 reflected a migration to Beacon.{{cite episode |title=Critical Role Fans ABANDON Twitch?! The Great Beacon Migration! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGI119f_528 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |series=The Character Sheet |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=May 13, 2024 |time=1:20 |quote= |medium=YouTube |location= |publisher=ComicBook.com}}
The platform is named after the Luxon Beacons, which are in-universe fictional artifacts of religious and magical importance to the Kryn Dynasty.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Isaac |date=October 13, 2023 |title=The Best Magical Items Critical Role Characters Used, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-best-magic-items-ranked/ |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=CBR |language=en |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718040241/https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-best-magic-items-ranked/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite book |last=Mercer |first=Matthew |title=Explorer's Guide to Wildemount |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |others=Haeck, James., Introcaso, James., Lockey, Chris., Amundsen, Even. |year=2020 |isbn=978-0-7869-6691-2 |location=Renton, WA |pages=35–158 |chapter=Ch. 2: Factions and Societies, Ch. 3: Wildemount Gazetteer |oclc=1139657849}}
Productions
The company produces and broadcasts the following shows from its Burbank Studio location:
= Current programming =
== ''Critical Role'' and podcast (2015) ==
{{main|Critical Role}}
File:Matthew_Mercer_at_Wembley.jpg in Wembley Arena.]]
Critical Role is the studio's primary series. It is broadcast on Thursdays at 19:00 PT on the Critical Role Twitch and YouTube channels, as well as the Beacon streaming service. The VOD is made available to these services immediately after the broadcast.{{Cite web|date=January 21, 2021|title=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|url=https://twitter.com/CriticalRole/status/1352375733750906882|access-date=April 26, 2021|website=Twitter|publisher=Critical Role|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121220122/https://twitter.com/CriticalRole/status/1352375733750906882|url-status=live}}{{Cite tweet |number=1762953533869945201 |user=CriticalRole |title=⚔️ 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] |author=Critical Role |author-link=Critical Role |date=February 28, 2024 |access-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/jv4uP |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |url-status=live |link=https://twitter.com/CriticalRole/status/1762953533869945201}} As part of social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, the show switched to a pre-recorded format.{{Cite web|last1=Armstrong|first1=Vanessa|last2=Bullard|first2=Benjamin|date=2020-06-26|title=WIRE Buzz: Critical Role is back, Vagrant Queen canceled & The Beach House terrifies in new trailer|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/critical-role-vagrant-queen-the-beach-house|access-date=2020-06-27|website=SYFY WIRE|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028054701/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/critical-role-vagrant-queen-the-beach-house|url-status=live}} The show's third campaign aired from October 21, 2021 to February 6, 2025.{{Cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=2021-09-30|title=Critical Role Sets Campaign 3 Premiere Date, Will Simulcast First Episode in Cinemark Theaters|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/critical-role-campaign-3-premiere-date-cinemark-1235076246/|access-date=2021-09-30|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930162738/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/critical-role-campaign-3-premiere-date-cinemark-1235076246/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Radulovic |first=Petrana |date=2025-02-06 |title=Where to watch Critical Role's 8-and-a-half-hour finale |url=https://www.polygon.com/critical-role/520028/campaign-3-bells-hells-finale-where-to-watch |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}
== ''#EverythingIsContent'' (2018) ==
== ''Narrative Telephone'' (2020) ==
In Narrative Telephone, the Critical Role cast and their guests{{Cite news|last=Bradley|first=Adam|date=2021-03-24|title=The Black Nerds Redefining the Culture|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/24/t-magazine/black-nerds-culture.html|access-date=2021-05-06|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2021-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425035451/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/24/t-magazine/black-nerds-culture.html|url-status=live}} would play a socially distanced version of Telephone using pre-recorded video messages. A reboot of this show, in a monthly video format, returned on October 16, 2024 on Beacon; it then releases on YouTube two weeks after the Beacon airdate.
== ''Critical Role Abridged'' (2024) ==
Critical Role Abridged is a version of the Critical Role show, edited and trimmed to 60–90 minute episodes beginning with the third campaign. 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. He praised the abridged episodes in comparison, but criticized what he saw as excessive cutting of dice-rolling segments.{{Cite news |last=Macgregor |first=Jody |date=June 24, 2024 |title=Thanks to the abridged version of actual-play RPG series Critical Role, I might make it through a whole campaign for once |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/board-games/thanks-to-the-abridged-version-of-actual-play-rpg-series-critical-role-i-might-make-it-through-a-whole-campaign-for-once/ |access-date=June 24, 2024 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}
== ''Critical Role Cooldown'' (2024) ==
Critical Role Cooldown is an immediate aftershow with the table cast, which airs after each episode of Critical Role. This show is exclusively broadcast on Beacon.{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Eric |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Critical Role Announces New Streaming Service, Premium Shows, and More |url=https://gamerant.com/critical-role-beacon-streaming-service-premium-shows-dungeons-and-dragons/ |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}
== ''The Re-Slayer's Take'' (2024){{Anchor|Re-Slayer's Take|The Re-Slayer's Take}} ==
The Re-Slayer's Take is an all-ages actual play podcast set in Exandria, featuring an adventurer group that was rejected from the monster hunting group, "The Slayer's Take". The cast consists of Jasmine Bhullar, Jasper William Cartwright, Caroline Lux, and Jasmine Chiong, with George Primavera and Nick Williams as Dungeon Masters.{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=May 11, 2024 |title=Critical Role Launches New Podcast |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-launches-new-podcast-re-slayers-take/ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511120508/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-launches-new-podcast-re-slayers-take/ |url-status=live }} The twelve-episode first season aired from May 20 to August 19, 2024;{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Programming Schedule: Week of May 20th, 2024 |url=https://critrole.com/programming-schedule-week-of-may-20-2024/ |access-date=May 20, 2024 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US |type=Press release |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910192028/https://critrole.com/programming-schedule-week-of-may-20-2024/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=August 19, 2024 |title=Programming Schedule: Week of August 19th, 2024 |url=https://critrole.com/programming-schedule-week-of-august-19th-2024/ |access-date=August 20, 2024 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US |type=Press release |archive-date=August 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819193912/https://critrole.com/programming-schedule-week-of-august-19th-2024/ |url-status=live }} early access was available to Beacon subscribers. Season two premiered on September 10, 2024.{{Cite web |date=September 10, 2024 |title=Critical Role Announces Fall Programming, Including New MIDST Series, Return of 'Tales From The Stinky Dragon', And Behind-The-Scenes Features |url=https://www.thefandomentals.com/critical-role-announces-fall-programming-including-new-midst-series-return-of-tales-from-the-stinky-dragon-and-behind-the-scenes-features/ |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=The Fandomentals |language=en-us |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910191914/https://www.thefandomentals.com/critical-role-announces-fall-programming-including-new-midst-series-return-of-tales-from-the-stinky-dragon-and-behind-the-scenes-features/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=September 10, 2024 |title=HYPE: Our Fall 2024 Programming Lineup! |url=https://critrole.com/fall-2024/ |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US |type=Press release |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910191914/https://critrole.com/fall-2024/ |url-status=live }}
== ''Fireside Chats'' (2024) ==
== ''Tales From The Stinky Dragon'' (2024) ==
Tales From The Stinky Dragon is an actual play podcast which originally premiered on Rooster Teeth. The cast consists of Barbara Dunkelman, Chris Demarais, Jon Risinger, Blaine Gibson with Gustavo Sorola as the Dungeon Master. Campaign 3, titled Kanon, of the podcast premiered on Beacon on September 30, 2024 with the YouTube premiere on October 2, 2024. The podcast is scheduled to broadcast every other Monday initially on Beacon and the show's Patreon and then publicly on YouTube following a 48-hour delay. Additionally, Beacon and the show's Patreon will host the Second Wind aftershow for the podcast.{{Cite web |date=September 10, 2024 |title=Campaign 3 Details & BIG CRITICAL NEWS! |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/campaign-3-big-111762214 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240910185651/https://www.patreon.com/posts/campaign-3-big-111762214 |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=Patreon |publisher=Tales from the Stinky Dragon |type=Public post}}
== ''Unend'' (2024) ==
{{Main|Midst#Unend}}
Unend is an ongoing audio drama set several decades after Midst and Moonward by Third Person. The cast consists of Xen, Matt Roen, and Sara Wile. It premiered on October 9, 2024 with new episodes airing weekly on Wednesdays. Beacon and Midst subscribers have access to an early release schedule.
== ''Weird Kids'' (2025) ==
Weird Kids is a video podcast talk show hosted by Ashley Johnson and Taliesin Jaffe which focuses on their history as child actors growing up in the industry and other interests. It airs exclusively on Beacon and premiered on March 25, 2025 with a planned 24-episode run.{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=March 4, 2025 |title=‘Weird Kids’: Critical Role’s Ashley Johnson, Taliesin Jaffe Recount Their Bizarre Lives as Child Actors in New Show |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/critical-roles-weird-kids-ashley-johnson-taliesin-jaffe-1236321470/ |access-date=March 28, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
= Hiatus and future programing =
== ''Exandria Unlimited'' (ExU) (2021) ==
{{main|Exandria Unlimited}}
Exandria Unlimited is 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, thirty years after the first campaign and ten years after the second.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-10|title=Critical Role Announces Exandria Unlimited|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-exandria-unlimited-campaign-3-dungeons-dragons/|access-date=2021-06-10|website=ComicBook.com|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610163529/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-exandria-unlimited-campaign-3-dungeons-dragons/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=King|first=Chris|date=2021-06-10|title=Critical Role's next campaign launches this month with a new Dungeon Master|url=https://www.polygon.com/22524297/critical-role-next-campaign-new-dm-matt-mercer-aabria-iyengar|access-date=2021-06-10|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610163529/https://www.polygon.com/22524297/critical-role-next-campaign-new-dm-matt-mercer-aabria-iyengar|url-status=live}} Hosted by Aabria Iyengar (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.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-10|title=Critical Role's next show is Exandria Unlimited|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/06/10/critical-roles-next-show-is-exandria-unlimited/|access-date=2021-06-10|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610165048/https://venturebeat.com/2021/06/10/critical-roles-next-show-is-exandria-unlimited/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2021-06-10|title=Critical Role Stars Lift the Lid on Their New Show, Exandria Unlimited|url=https://gizmodo.com/critical-role-veterans-and-newcomers-lift-the-lid-on-th-1847065584|access-date=2021-06-10|website=Gizmodo|language=en-us|archive-date=2021-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610165048/https://gizmodo.com/critical-role-veterans-and-newcomers-lift-the-lid-on-th-1847065584|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=2022-03-14 |title=Critical Role Announces Two New Shows In Latest Video |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/critical-role-announces-two-new-shows-in-latest-video/ |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=Bleeding Cool News And Rumors |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314205229/https://bleedingcool.com/games/critical-role-announces-two-new-shows-in-latest-video/ |url-status=live }} 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 are led by Brennan Lee Mulligan as the Dungeon Master.{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2022-05-13 |title=Critical Role and Dimension 20 are crossing the streams for a new actual play series |url=https://www.polygon.com/23070658/critical-role-exandria-unlimited-dimension-20-crossover-brennan-lee-mulligan-aabria-iyengar |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513145540/https://www.polygon.com/23070658/critical-role-exandria-unlimited-dimension-20-crossover-brennan-lee-mulligan-aabria-iyengar |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-12 |title=HYPE! Exandria Unlimited: Calamity Premieres Thursday, May 26th! |url=https://critrole.com/hype-exandria-unlimited-calamity-premieres-thursday-may-26th/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US |type=Press release |archive-date=2022-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512160446/https://critrole.com/hype-exandria-unlimited-calamity-premieres-thursday-may-26th/ |url-status=live }} The third season, titled Exandria Unlimited: Divergence, was originally broadcast from February 13 to March 6, 2025 with Mulligan reprising his role as the Dungeon Master.{{Cite web |last=McCauley |first=Tara |date=February 18, 2025 |title=All Cast and Characters in Exandria Unlimited: Divergence |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/all-cast-and-characters-in-exandria-unlimited-divergence/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220220029/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/all-cast-and-characters-in-exandria-unlimited-divergence/ |archive-date=February 20, 2025 |access-date=February 20, 2025 |website=The Escapist |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2025 |title=State of the Role: Campaign 3 Finale and What's Next for 2025! |url=https://critrole.com/state-of-the-role-2025/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130205324/https://critrole.com/state-of-the-role-2025/ |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US |type=Press release}}
== ''The Legend of Vox Machina'' (2022) ==
{{main|The Legend of Vox Machina}}
The Legend of Vox Machina is an animated series based on events in the first campaign. The first ten episodes of the first season were financed through a Kickstarter campaign, with Amazon picking up distribution and green-lighting an additional fourteen episodes: two additional episodes for the first season and a 12 episode second season.{{Cite web|last=Radulovic|first=Petrana|date=2019-11-05|title=Two seasons of the Critical Role animated series coming to Amazon Prime|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/11/5/20947648/critical-role-legend-of-vox-machina-animated-series-amazon-prime-two-seasons|access-date=2020-06-27|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=2020-04-14|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the release schedule from fall 2020 to its eventual premiere on January 28, 2022.{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2021-12-20|title=Critical Role animated series will premiere earlier than expected|url=https://www.polygon.com/22846929/critical-role-animated-series-premiere-date-legend-of-vox-machina|access-date=2021-12-21|website=Polygon|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221005643/https://www.polygon.com/22846929/critical-role-animated-series-premiere-date-legend-of-vox-machina|url-status=live}} In October 2022, Amazon renewed the series for a third season{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=October 7, 2022 |title='Legend of Vox Machina' Renewed for Season 3 at Amazon |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/legend-of-vox-machina-renewed-season-3-amazon-1235395301/ |access-date=October 7, 2022 |website=Variety |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007003645/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/legend-of-vox-machina-renewed-season-3-amazon-1235395301/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Cao |first=Caroline |date=October 7, 2022 |title=Legend of Vox Machina season 2 and season 3 plans revealed at NYCC |url=https://www.polygon.com/nycc/23392562/legend-vox-machina-season-2-3-critical-role-nycc-cast |access-date=October 7, 2022 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007152334/https://www.polygon.com/nycc/23392562/legend-vox-machina-season-2-3-critical-role-nycc-cast |url-status=live }} ahead of the second season's premiere on January 20, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Moreau |first=Jordan |date=December 15, 2022 |title='Legend of Vox Machina' Season 2 Trailer: Critical Role's Chroma Conclave Comes to Life |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/legend-vox-machina-season-2-trailer-critical-role-1235461567/ |access-date=December 15, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215170041/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/legend-vox-machina-season-2-trailer-critical-role-1235461567/ |url-status=live }} The third season premiered on October 3, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Stedman |first=Alex |date=2024-06-07 |title=The Legend of Vox Machina Season 3 Release Date, Title Sequence Revealed (Exclusive) - IGN Live |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-legend-of-vox-machina-season-3-release-date-title-sequence-revealed-exclusive-ign-live |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=IGN |language=en}} It was renewed for a fourth season in October 2024.{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=October 23, 2024 |title=‘Legend of Vox Machina’ Renewed for Season 4 at Amazon |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/legend-of-vox-machina-renewed-season-4-amazon-1236187772/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
== ''Candela Obscura'' (2023) ==
{{Main|Candela Obscura}}
Candela Obscura is a horror–themed actual play episodic web series, using the new Illuminated Worlds System designed by Darrington Press. It was created by Taliesin Jaffe and Chris Lockey, with Steve Failows and Maxwell James as producers, and Spenser Starke and Rowan Hall as the game's lead designers and writers. {{as of|since=y|2023|5|25|post=,|df=US}} it has aired on the last Thursday of each month. Each episode focuses on a new investigation; Jaffe also serves as the show's Lightkeeper who provides the characters their missions. The cast of the first three-episode story arc was composed of Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, Anjali Bhimani, and Robbie Daymond, with Matthew Mercer as the game master.{{Cite web |last=Codega |first=Linda |date=May 9, 2023 |title=Critical Role Teases a Spooky New Game—and a New System, Too |url=https://gizmodo.com/critical-role-candela-obscura-ttrpg-actual-play-mercer-1850419405 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509180948/https://gizmodo.com/critical-role-candela-obscura-ttrpg-actual-play-mercer-1850419405 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Hoffer |first1=Christian |date=May 9, 2023 |title=Critical Role Announces Candela Obscura, New Ongoing TTRPG Series and Game |language=en |work=ComicBook.com |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-candela-obscura-ongoing-ttrpg-series-illuminated-worlds/ |access-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509162504/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-candela-obscura-ongoing-ttrpg-series-illuminated-worlds/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Stretch |first=Andrew |date=May 9, 2023 |title=Critical Role Announces Horror Series Candela Obscura, First To Use Illuminated Worlds System |url=https://techraptor.net/tabletop/news/critical-role-announces-horror-series-candela-obscura-first-to-use-illuminated-worlds |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=TechRaptor |language=en |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509164123/https://techraptor.net/tabletop/news/critical-role-announces-horror-series-candela-obscura-first-to-use-illuminated-worlds |url-status=live }} The cast of the second three-episode story arc was composed of Travis Willingham, Brennan Lee Mulligan, Zehra Fazal, Luis Carazo, and Marisha Ray, with Starke as the game master.{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Critical Role presents Candela Obscura! |url=https://critrole.com/event/critical-role-presents-candela-obscura/ |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US |type=Press release |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723041309/https://critrole.com/event/critical-role-presents-candela-obscura/ |url-status=live }} The show went on hiatus in June 2024.{{Cite episode |title=Fireside Chat LIVE with Marisha Ray |url=https://beacon.tv/content/fireside-chat-live-with-marisha-ray |access-date=June 25, 2024 |series=Fireside Chats |network=Beacon |date=June 24, 2024 |season=1 |number=2 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625015926/https://beacon.tv/content/fireside-chat-live-with-marisha-ray |url-status=live }}
== ''Thresher'' (2025) ==
Thresher is a deep sea horror–themed actual play limited series produced in collaboration with 12-Sided Studios. The setting was created by Matt Linton and Jacqueline Emerson and the game is based on Candela Obscura, an Illuminated Worlds System. Jasper William Cartwright is the gamemaster with Emerson, Abubakar Salim, Mark "Sherlock" Hulmes (aka Mara), Jane Douglas, and Noshir Dalal as players. The first part is scheduled to premiere on April 24, 2025 with the second part to air on May 1, 2025.{{Cite web |last= |date=April 9, 2025 |title=HYPE: SEA What Lies Beneath in New Series: Thresher! |url=https://critrole.com/thresher/ |access-date=April 9, 2025 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US |type=Press release}}
== ''Mighty Nein'' ==
In January 2023, it was announced that the second campaign would receive an animated television adaptation for Amazon Prime Video called Mighty Nein. The series would be executive produced by Tasha Huo, Sam Riegel, Travis Willingham, Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski, Antonio Canobbio, and Ben Kalina; Metapigeon, Amazon Studios, and Titmouse would serve as the production companies.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-25 |title=Critical Role's Mighty Nein Heads to Prime Video |url=https://gizmodo.com/mighty-nein-critical-role-tv-show-amazon-prime-video-1850029855 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125192743/https://gizmodo.com/mighty-nein-critical-role-tv-show-amazon-prime-video-1850029855 |url-status=live }} The show is under production;{{cite news |last1=Tyrrell |first1=Caitlin |date=March 4, 2023 |title=Liam O'Brien Teases A Different Kind Of Story With Mighty Nein Series |url=https://screenrant.com/liam-obrien-mighty-nein-series-different/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330113821/https://screenrant.com/liam-obrien-mighty-nein-series-different/ |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |work=ScreenRant |language=en}} in June 2024, it was revealed that voice acting had begun.{{cite news |last1=Hoffer |first1=Christian |date=June 8, 2024 |title=Mighty Nein Animated Series, Based on Critical Role, Gets Big Update |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mighty-nein-animated-series-critical-role-production-update/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609014433/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mighty-nein-animated-series-critical-role-production-update/ |archive-date=June 9, 2024 |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=ComicBook.com |publisher= |language=en}}
= Former programming =
== ''4-Sided Dive'' (2022–2024) ==
In 4-Sided Dive, Critical Role cast members answer fan-submitted questions sourced from a "Tower of Inquiry", similar to a Jenga tower.{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2022 |title=Critical Role Announces Two New Shows |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-new-shows-announcement/ |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314205229/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-new-shows-announcement/ |url-status=live }} The host is randomly selected by the roll of a d20 die.{{Cite web |last=Radulovic |first=Petrana |date=2022-03-14 |title=Critical Role announces two new series to celebrate its 7th anniversary |url=https://www.polygon.com/22977603/critical-role-new-series-7-year-anniversary |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314205229/https://www.polygon.com/22977603/critical-role-new-series-7-year-anniversary |url-status=live }} 4-Sided Dive replaced Talks Machina.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-26 |title=Critical Role's new talk show has a problem |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/topics/critical-role/opinion/critical-role-talk-show-problem-4-sided-dive |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en |archive-date=2022-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526123018/https://www.dicebreaker.com/topics/critical-role/opinion/critical-role-talk-show-problem-4-sided-dive |url-status=live }} The final episode aired in December 2024.{{Cite tweet |number=1869222283384103121 |user=CriticalRole |title=This is the final 4SD of Campaign 3 friends! Thank you all for joining us in the Tavern each month, join us tonight as we close out the year with one last round of drinks for Bells Hells🍻💕 |author=Critical Role |author-link=Critical Role |date=December 17, 2024 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/D4PUU |archive-date=March 27, 2025 |url-status=live}}
== ''All Work No Play'' and podcast (2018–2020) ==
In All Work No Play, 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 predated the home game that would become Critical Role. The first season aired in 2018, and the second in 2020.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 18, 2018|title=All Work No Play: Hot Tub Spectacular (S1, EP8)|url=https://critrole.com/qtvideo/all-work-no-play-hot-tub-spectacular-s1-ep8/|access-date=2020-06-25|website=Critical Role|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628222935/https://critrole.com/qtvideo/all-work-no-play-hot-tub-spectacular-s1-ep8/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Romero |first1=Rachel |date=March 17, 2020 |title=Important Broadcast Update (March 2020) |url=https://critrole.com/important-broadcast-update/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317174243/https://critrole.com/important-broadcast-update/ |archive-date=March 17, 2020 |access-date=March 17, 2020 |website=Critical Role |type=Press release}}{{Cite web|date=March 17, 2020|title=Critical Role Ends Live Broadcasts Due to Coronavirus|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-dungeons-and-dragons-coronavirus/|access-date=2021-05-06|website=ComicBook.com|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612045414/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-dungeons-and-dragons-coronavirus/|url-status=live}}
== ''AWNP: Unplugged'' (2020) ==
In AWNP: Unplugged, Sam Riegel and Liam O'Brien catch up via video chat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each episode after the first featured another Critical Role cast member, or a friend of the cast, as a guest.{{Cite web|last=Bloom|first=David|title=Critical Role Pushed To New Path For Its Pandemic Programming|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dbloom/2020/05/04/critical-role-online-video-programming-coronavirus/|access-date=2020-06-25|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=2021-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106222402/https://www.forbes.com/sites/dbloom/2020/05/04/critical-role-online-video-programming-coronavirus/|url-status=live}} Andy Wilson, for Bleeding Cool, thought the show was an "exercise in human connection" and called it "beautifully simple".{{Cite web|last=Wilson|first=Andy|date=July 30, 2020|title=YouTube, Late-Night & More: In Praise of Lo-Fi Television|url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/youtube-late-night-more-in-praise-of-lo-fi-television/|access-date=2021-01-06|website=bleedingcool.com|archive-date=2021-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109020954/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/youtube-late-night-more-in-praise-of-lo-fi-television/|url-status=live}}
== ''Between the Sheets'' (2018–2019) ==
In Between the Sheets, Brian W. Foster interviewed a different guest each episode. Non-Critical Role guests included Logic and Amanda Palmer.{{Cite web |last=Romero |first=Rachel |date=September 25, 2019 |title=HYPE: Fall Programming Schedule |url=https://critrole.com/hype-fall-programming-schedule/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927001745/https://critrole.com/hype-fall-programming-schedule/ |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US |type=Press release}} The first season aired in 2018 and the second in 2019. A third season was scheduled to premiere on August 5, 2020,{{Cite web|last=Granshaw|first=Lisa|date=2018-09-19|title=Exclusive: Critical Role's Brian W. Foster on the debut of their new show, Between the Sheets|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-critical-roles-brian-w-foster-on-the-debut-of-their-new-show-between-the-sheets|access-date=2020-06-25|website=SYFY WIRE|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-28|archive-url=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|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Between the Sheets |url=https://critrole.com/shows/between-the-sheets/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528000801/https://critrole.com/shows/between-the-sheets/ |archive-date=2020-05-28 |access-date=2020-06-25 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US}} but remained in limbo after the production went on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020;{{Cite web|last=Sheehan|first=Gavin|date=March 17, 2020|title="Critical Role" Suspends Their Broadcasts Due To Coronavirus|url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/critical-role-suspends-their-broadcasts-due-to-coronavirus/|access-date=2020-09-11|website=bleedingcool.com|archive-date=2020-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109002241/https://bleedingcool.com/games/critical-role-suspends-their-broadcasts-due-to-coronavirus/|url-status=live}} Foster left the company in 2021. This show was removed from Critical Role's channels in July 2023.
== ''Critter Hug'' (2020–2021) ==
Critter Hug was a "to-camera" show starring Mica Burton and Matt Mercer. The hosts discussed topics relevant to the "Critter" community. Only the first episode of the show was aired before California's COVID-19 lockdown measures began. Two further episodes were broadcast in 2021.{{Cite web|last=Hoffer|first=Christian|date=May 4, 2020|title=Critical Role Launches New Monthly Show|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-critter-hug-new-show-youtube/|access-date=2020-06-27|website=ComicBook.com|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630202237/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-critter-hug-new-show-youtube/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=May 5, 2020|title=The First Episode of Critical Role's New Show, Critter Hug, Is Now Live|url=https://primagames.com/feature/critical-role-episode-1-critter-hug|access-date=2021-05-06|website=Prima Games|language=en|archive-date=2021-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423024559/https://primagames.com/feature/critical-role-episode-1-critter-hug|url-status=live}}
== ''Critical Recap'' (2018–2019) ==
Critical Recap was a review of previous episodes of Critical Role, hosted by Dani Carr, the show's production coordinator. Starting with the eleventh episode of the second campaign, Critical Recap aired on the Geek & Sundry Twitch channel before the Critical Role live stream on Thursdays.{{cite web|last=Carr|first=Dani|date=March 22, 2018|title=Critical Recap: Campaign 2, Episodes 1 - 10 -- The Story So Far|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDrGA0fPDig|access-date=February 3, 2019|website=Youtube.com|publisher=Geek & Sundry|archive-date=August 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801103630/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDrGA0fPDig&list=PL1tiwbzkOjQwTrDGSJq1SfKOCEfjE64g3|url-status=live}} After Critical Role's split from Geek & Sundry, new episodes of Critical Recap premiered on Critical Role's YouTube channel every Tuesday. Simultaneously, a rebroadcast aired on the Critical Role Twitch channel immediately before the Critical Role live stream on Thursdays. On YouTube, the show had roughly 20-50,000 views per recap as a standalone stream.{{rp|197}} The video format for Critical Recap was last used for episode 88 of the second campaign. Beginning in 2020, the show was replaced by a written recap made available on the Critical Role website.{{cite web|last1=Role|first1=Critical|date=December 17, 2019|title=PSA: Recap is moving to a written format on Critrole.com in 2020, penned by the inimitable Dani herself!|url=https://twitter.com/CriticalRole/status/1207103227939971072|access-date=January 6, 2020|language=en|archive-date=June 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605225643/https://twitter.com/criticalrole/status/1207103227939971072|url-status=live}} An animated version of the show was launched in December 2020.{{Cite web |date=2020-12-27 |title=Critical Role: Best Moments in the First Animated Recap |url=https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-animated-recap-best-moments/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227222754/https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-animated-recap-best-moments/ |archive-date=2020-12-27 |access-date=2021-01-06 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2020-12-24 |title=Critical Role Unleashes Critical Cuteness With Crit Recap Animated |url=https://www.thegamer.com/critical-role-crit-recap-animated/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205150639/https://www.thegamer.com/critical-role-crit-recap-animated/ |archive-date=2021-02-05 |access-date=2021-01-06 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}
== ''Crit Recap Animated'' (2020–2022) ==
Crit Recap Animated was an animated spinoff of Critical Recap, hosted by Dani Carr. It was co-written by Carr, Kyle Shire and Marisha Ray, with animation by Offworld Studios. The show retold story arcs from the second campaign, in short, 5- to 10-minute episodes. The first episode premiered in December 2020 and introduced the main characters of the "Mighty Nein". The show completed its second campaign in August 2022.{{cite web |date=August 1, 2022 |title=Programming Schedule: Week of August 1, 2022 |url=https://critrole.com/programming-schedule-week-of-august-1-2022/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207120354/https://critrole.com/programming-schedule-week-of-august-1-2022/ |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=Critical Role |type=Press release}}
== ''Handbooker Helper'' (2018–2020) ==
Handbooker Helper was a series of introductory to-camera videos on the different elements of D&D, hosted by different members of the Critical Role cast. The show's name was a parody of Hamburger Helper and a reference to the D&D Player's Handbook. Though not a requirement to watch, the Critical Role campaigns were often alluded to through inside jokes and other meta-references.{{Cite web|last=Hoffer|first=Christian|date=August 22, 2018|title='Critical Role' to Explain 'Dungeons & Dragons' Basics in New Weekly Show|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-handbooker-helper-new-show/|access-date=2020-06-27|website=ComicBook.com|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630172703/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-handbooker-helper-new-show/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Granshaw|first=Lisa|date=29 August 2018|title=Exclusive: Watch Critical Role's first Handbooker Helper episode and find out what's coming next|work=Syfy Wire|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-watch-critical-roles-first-handbooker-helper-episode-and-find-out-whats-coming|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=10 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710123030/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-watch-critical-roles-first-handbooker-helper-episode-and-find-out-whats-coming|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|title=Handbooker Helper: Monsterhearts 2|website=YouTube|date=6 February 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wEloZXYKvE|access-date=February 10, 2020|language=en|archive-date=April 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429005436/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wEloZXYKvE&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}
== ''MAME Drop'' (2019) ==
In MAME Drop, Taliesin Jaffe and guests would play old-school arcade games on the studio's MAME cabinet.{{Cite web |last=Rachel |first=Romero |date=2019-06-26 |title=Summer Programming Schedule |url=https://critrole.com/summer-programming-schedule/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628215736/https://critrole.com/summer-programming-schedule/ |archive-date=2020-06-28 |access-date=2020-06-25 |website= |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2020|title=I Talked to Taliesin Jaffe and Liam O'Brien About CRITICAL ROLE: THE CHRONICLES OF EXANDRIA - THE MIGHTY NEIN|url=https://geektyrant.com/news/i-talked-to-taliesin-jaffe-and-liam-obrien-about-critical-role-the-chronicles-of-exandria-the-mighty-nein|access-date=2021-05-06|website=GeekTyrant|language=en-US|quote=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.|archive-date=2023-07-11|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}
== ''Midst'' (2023) ==
{{main|Midst}}
Midst was a semi-improvised space-western audio drama focused on three protagonists, described as "a crotchety outlaw, a struggling cultist and a diabolical bastard – as their paths intersect in unexpected ways". The series took place in the town of Stationary Hill, after a mysterious civilization known as the "Trust" became interested in the islet of Midst, where the town was located.{{Cite web |last=Tyrrell |first=Caitlin |date=March 29, 2023 |title=Critical Role's Metapigeon Acquires Sci-Fi Fantasy Podcast Midst |url=https://screenrant.com/critical-role-metapigeon-midst-podcast/ |access-date=March 29, 2023 |website=Screen Rant |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329162258/https://screenrant.com/critical-role-metapigeon-midst-podcast/ |url-status=live }} It began streaming in 2020 and was originally produced by the Third Person studio, which consisted of the podcast's three anonymous narrators.{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2023 |title=Hype: Listen to our New Sci-Fantasy Audio Drama, Midst! |url=https://critrole.com/hype-listen-to-our-new-sci-fantasy-audio-drama-midst/ |access-date=March 29, 2023 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US |type=Press release |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329162308/https://critrole.com/hype-listen-to-our-new-sci-fantasy-audio-drama-midst/ |url-status=live }} The podcast won multiple awards at the New Jersey WebFest in 2021 and 2022.{{efn|Midst won three awards ("Best Editing of a Narrative Fiction",{{Cite tweet |author= New Jersey WebFest |author-link= |user= NJWebFest |number=1439715830611251202 |date= September 19, 2021 |title= The winner of Best Editing- Narrative Fiction is.. Midst -by Third Person. Congratulations! [IMAGE] |access-date= March 29, 2023 |link= }} "Outstanding Science Fiction",{{Cite tweet |author= New Jersey WebFest |author-link= |user= NJWebFest |number=1439719125518065667 |date= September 19, 2021 |title= The winner of Outstanding Sci-fi Fiction Podcast is.. Midst! Congratulations again! @midstpodcast #FictionPodcast #FeelTheMagic [IMAGE] |access-date= March 29, 2023 |link= }} and "Best of the Best"{{Cite tweet |author= New Jersey WebFest |author-link= |user= NJWebFest |number=1439719302265917444 |date= September 19, 2021 |title= And last but absolutely not least! The winner of Best Of The Best is... Midst!!! Huge congratulations to these talented people! @midstpodcast #FictionPodcast #FeelTheMagic [IMAGE] |access-date= March 29, 2023 |link= }}) in the fiction podcast category at the New Jersey WebFest in 2021.{{Cite web |title=2021 Fiction Podcast Nominations |url=https://www.newjerseywebfest.com/2021-fictionpodcast-nominations |access-date=March 29, 2023 |website=New Jersey Web Fest |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329192821/https://www.newjerseywebfest.com/2021-fictionpodcast-nominations |url-status=live }} In 2022, it won "Outstanding Science Fiction (Narrative Fiction Podcast)".{{Cite web |title=2022 Fiction Podcast Award Winners |url=https://www.newjerseywebfest.com/2022-fiction-podcast-award-winners |access-date=March 29, 2023 |website=New Jersey Web Fest |language=en |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323194318/https://www.newjerseywebfest.com/2022-fiction-podcast-award-winners |url-status=live }}}} 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 re-release included remastered audio and a new video format which were then followed by a new third season.{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2023 |title=Critical Role Buys Midst Podcast |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-midst-podcast-metapigeon/ |access-date=March 29, 2023 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329164926/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-midst-podcast-metapigeon/ |url-status=live }} The final episode was released on June 26, 2024.{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2024 |title=Programming Schedule: Week of June 24th, 2024 |url=https://critrole.com/programming-schedule-week-of-june-24th-2024/ |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US |type=Press release |quote=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. |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910191918/https://critrole.com/programming-schedule-week-of-june-24th-2024/ |url-status=live }}
== ''Mini Primetime'' (2019–2020) {{anchor|Mini Primetime}} ==
Mini Primetime was a show hosted by Will Friedle on how to improve painting techniques, specifically for D&D miniatures.{{Cite web|last=Granshaw|first=Lisa|date=2019-10-30|title=Exclusive: Will Friedle on painting minis, Critical Role and his new series Mini Primetime|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-will-friedle-on-painting-minis-critical-role-and-his-new-series-mini-primetime|access-date=2020-06-25|website=SYFY WIRE|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-27|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2019-11-13|title=Will Friedle dishes on hosting Critical Role's new series Mini Primetime|url=https://hiddenremote.com/2019/11/13/will-friedle-dishes-hosting-critical-roles-new-series-mini-primetime/|access-date=2021-05-06|website=Hidden Remote|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-01-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113165449/https://hiddenremote.com/2019/11/13/will-friedle-dishes-hosting-critical-roles-new-series-mini-primetime/|url-status=live}} The show's first season aired in 2019, and was followed by a 2020 special under Talks Machina's "After Dark" branding.{{cite web |title=Mini Primetime: After Dark | website=YouTube | date=6 August 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn6tGRzsbqs&list=PL1tiwbzkOjQz9kKDaPRPrX2E7RPTaxEZd&index=10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217092150/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn6tGRzsbqs&list=PL1tiwbzkOjQz9kKDaPRPrX2E7RPTaxEZd&index=10 |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |language=en}}
== ''Mighty Vibes'' (2020–2021) ==
Mighty Vibes featured a playlist of songs curated to the aesthetic of one or more members of the "Mighty Nein" and "Vox Machina". Songs would play over a looped animation featuring said member. Sound clips recorded by the players of the featured character or characters would be interspersed throughout the playlist.
== ''Moonward'' (2024) ==
{{main|Midst#Moonward}}
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. Cheryl Teh of Business Insider highlighted that Moonward featured "just pure roleplay and acting" in comparison to other shows that had a stricter ruleset.{{Cite web |last=Teh |first=Cheryl |date=July 11, 2024 |title=Critical Role is branching out further into the podcasting business and putting 2 heavyweight cast members on a new, experimental show |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/critical-role-expands-further-into-podcast-business-moonward-obrien-ray-2024-7 |access-date=July 11, 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910191917/https://www.businessinsider.com/critical-role-expands-further-into-podcast-business-moonward-obrien-ray-2024-7 |url-status=live }} The series aired from August 7 to August 28, 2024, with early access for Beacon and Midst subscribers.{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2024 |title=HYPE! Get Ready For MOONWARD: A Midst Roleplaying Story |url=https://critrole.com/moonward/ |access-date=July 24, 2024 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US |type=Press release |archive-date=July 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724171944/https://critrole.com/moonward/ |url-status=live }}
== ''Pub Draw'' (2019) ==
In Pub Draw, Marisha Ray would be taught how to improve her drawing by comic book artist and "Critter" Babs Tarr.{{Cite web|last=Plante|first=Corey|date=April 20, 2019|title=Critical Role: How Babs Tarr Brings D&D Characters to Life on 'Pub Draw'|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/54979-critical-role-pub-draw-babs-tarr-interview|access-date=2021-05-06|website=Inverse|language=en|archive-date=2022-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605231410/https://www.inverse.com/article/54979-critical-role-pub-draw-babs-tarr-interview|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2020-03-31|title=Bingeworthy: 'Critical Role' Productions Edition|url=https://www.nerdsandbeyond.com/2020/03/31/bingeworthy-critical-role-productions-edition/|access-date=2020-06-30|website=Nerds and Beyond|language=en|archive-date=2020-05-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521185526/http://www.nerdsandbeyond.com/2020/03/31/bingeworthy-critical-role-productions-edition/|url-status=live}} The first and second seasons aired in 2019.
== ''Talks Machina'' and podcast (2016–2021) {{Anchor|Talks Machina}} ==
Talks Machina was 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.{{cite news|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=September 28, 2016|title=Legendary Digital Sets 'Alpha' Subscription VOD Launch Plans, With Nerdist and Geek & Sundry Programming Slate|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/legendary-digital-alpha-launch-nerdist-geek-sundry-1201872619/|access-date=January 21, 2017|archive-date=December 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214084916/https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/legendary-digital-alpha-launch-nerdist-geek-sundry-1201872619/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Ray|first=Marisha|date=June 25, 2020|title=State of the Role: Critical Role Return Updates|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVze229omm4|access-date=June 25, 2020|website=YouTube|publisher=Critical Role|archive-date=November 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106235541/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVze229omm4|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Hoffer|first=Christian|date=June 25, 2020|title=Critical Role to Return on July 2nd|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-returns-covid-19-date/|access-date=2020-06-25|website=ComicBook.com|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627001011/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/critical-role-returns-covid-19-date/|url-status=live}} In its original format, the cast answered fan questions on in-game events, decisions, or character developments. Weekly competitions were held for fan content submissions, with prizes for the winners, such as "fan art of the week" and "cosplay of the week".{{rp|201}} 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.{{rp|0:45}} The show was on hiatus from March to September 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned in a bi-weekly, remote pre-recorded format until its cancelation shortly before the end of the second campaign.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=September 4, 2020|title=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.|url=https://twitter.com/criticalrole/status/1301935729975517184|access-date=2020-09-11|website=Twitter|publisher=@CriticalRole|language=en|archive-date=2020-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904173114/https://twitter.com/CriticalRole/status/1301935729975517184|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Granshaw|first=Lisa|date=2020-09-11|title=Critical Role's Brian W. Foster reflects on Talks Machina's triumphant quarantine return|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/critical-role-talks-machina-returns-brian-w-foster|access-date=2020-09-11|website=SYFY WIRE|language=en|archive-date=2020-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919182015/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/critical-role-talks-machina-returns-brian-w-foster|url-status=live}}{{Cite tweet |last=Foster and |first=Brian |user=BrianWFoster |number=1455670307889434624 |date=November 2, 2021 |title= 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] |access-date= November 2, 2021}} YouTube views hovered "around 130-190,000 – or roughly 25 percent of the views of the [Critical Role] VOD itself".{{Cite book|last=Friedman|first=Emily C.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1239982762|title=Roleplaying Games in the Digital Age: Essays on Transmedia Storytelling, Tabletop RPGs and Fandom|date=2021|publisher=McFarland|others=Stephanie Hedge, Jennifer Grouling|isbn=978-1-4766-4201-7|location=|pages=187–204|chapter=Narrative Time in a Live-Streamed Tabletop RPG|oclc=1239982762}}{{rp|199}} In July 2023, this show was removed from Critical Role's channels.
== ''Talks Machina: After Dark'' (2017–2019) ==
Talks Machina: After Dark was described as 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.{{cite web |date=January 5, 2017 |title=Update: Where to Watch Talks Machina |url=https://geekandsundry.com/update-where-to-watch-talks-machina/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217091804/https://geekandsundry.com/update-where-to-watch-talks-machina/ |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |website=Geek & Sundry |quote=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.}} It was later announced that the After Dark suspension was temporary, but the show never returned.{{cite news |last1=Roepel |first1=Ashley |date=21 February 2019 |title=Talks Machina Celebrates 100 Episodes |url=https://thenerdstash.com/talks-machina-celebrates-100-episodes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222200629/https://thenerdstash.com/talks-machina-celebrates-100-episodes/ |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |work=The Nerd Stash |quote=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.}}{{cite web |title=Fireside Chat {{!}} Talks Machina |url=https://nerdist.com/watch/video/fireside-chat-talks-machina/ |website=Nerdist |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217091819/https://nerdist.com/watch/video/fireside-chat-talks-machina/ |archive-date=December 17, 2021}} The After Dark branding was later applied to a "Mini Primetime" special in 2020.
== ''Travis Willingham's Yeehaw Game Ranch'' (2019) ==
== ''UnDeadwood'' (2019) ==
UnDeadwood was a four-part limited series, in which Brian W. Foster would "GM" a game based on the HBO series Deadwood using the Deadlands RPG system.{{Cite web|last=Granshaw|first=Lisa|date=2019-10-20|title=Exclusive: Brian W. Foster dishes on Critical Role's new show UnDeadwood|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-brian-w-foster-dishes-on-critical-roles-new-show-undeadwood|access-date=2020-06-25|website=SYFY WIRE|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628092317/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-brian-w-foster-dishes-on-critical-roles-new-show-undeadwood|url-status=live}} In July 2023, this show was removed from Critical Role's channels.
== ''Wildemount Wildlings'' (2025) ==
Wildemount Wildlings is a spin-off of the main Critical Role series which premiered on April 3, 2025. The three episode limited series focuses on teenage campers at the Wildemount Wildlings Camp for Adventuring Kids and their two Mighty Nein camp counselors with Sam Riegel as the gamemaster. The players are Eden Riegel, Aleks Le, Brennan Lee Mulligan and Libe Barer as new characters with Marisha Ray and Ashley Johnson reprising their Campaign 2 characters, Beauregard Lionett and Yasha Nydoorin respectively.{{Cite web |date=March 27, 2025 |title=HYPE: Wildemount Wildlings Premieres April 3rd! |url=https://critrole.com/wildemount-wildlings/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Critical Role |language=en-US |type=Press release}}{{Cite web |last=Whitten |first=Sarah |date=March 27, 2025 |title=How a Dungeons & Dragons livestream became a multiplatform media company |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/27/critical-role-d-and-d-media-company.html |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=CNBC |language=en}}
== ''Yee-Haw Off the Ranch'' (2020) ==
Reception
In March 2020, CNBC reported that since its 2018 separation from Geek & Sundry, Critical Role Productions had significantly expanded, and amassed more than 120 million views on YouTube and many subscribers. It praised its diverse lineup, speculating that it could appeal to different demographics. Emily Friedman, in the book Roleplaying Games in the Digital Age: Essays on Transmedia Storytelling, Tabletop RPGs and Fandom (2021), highlighted Talks Machina for its "informal, even chaotic space" and how it reveals "additional narrative details". Friedman called it "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".{{rp|202}}
By January 2021, Critical Role had amassed 220 million views across its channel, with 44,000 paid subscribers on Twitch during that month. Additionally, the first episode of the first campaign was watched 15 million times on YouTube. During the final ten months of the second campaign from August 2020 to May 2021, Critical Role's Twitch subscriptions averaged around 27,000 paid subscribers.{{cite web |title=CriticalRole's Subs Count and Statistics |url=https://twitchtracker.com/criticalrole/subscribers |website=TwitchTracker |access-date=June 1, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611163527/https://twitchtracker.com/criticalrole/subscribers |url-status=live }} Before the premiere of the third campaign in October 2021, Business Insider reported that Critical Role's official Twitch channel had 828,000 followers and 13,530 active subscribers, while its official YouTube channel had 1.4 million subscribers. In October 2021, Variety reported that Critical Role's Twitch channel had averaged 60 to 75,000 live viewers for each episode, and that factoring in on-demand plays after the fact, total per-episode viewership could range from 1.2 million to 1.5 million. Variety also noted that "Critical Role remains relatively small compared with other popular creators and digital media properties".
= Brand growth =
Academic Emily Friedman highlighted that Critical Role Productions was the only entity able to recover its episodes from Geek & Sundry, and that all other shows that premiered on Geek & Sundry remained 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".{{Cite web |last=Zeoli |first=Rowan |date=May 31, 2024 |title=Can anyone make a living in tabletop and actual play? |url=https://www.rascal.news/labor-and-ownership-ttrpg-actual-play-emily-friedman-study/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 31, 2024 |website=Rascal News |language=en |archive-date=May 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531203645/https://www.rascal.news/labor-and-ownership-ttrpg-actual-play-emily-friedman-study/ |url-status=live }} Rowan Zeoli of Rascal noted how they treated their "experimental production as a legitimate business early on" and praised the team's pre-emptive legal protections. Regarding Critical Role's success, Friedman explained in an interview with Zeoli that "you have to be lucky, but also be prepared for the luck".
On Critical Role
Cheryl {{proper name|Teh}} of Business Insider considered Beacon a "daring gambit" that could cause disruption for partners like Twitch and YouTube. Tyler Chancey, for TechRaptor, compared the development of Beacon to Dropout.{{Cite web |last=Chancey |first=Tyler |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Critical Role Beacon Membership Service Announced |url=https://techraptor.net/tabletop/news/critical-role-beacon-membership-service-announced |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=TechRaptor |language=en |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910191918/https://techraptor.net/tabletop/news/critical-role-beacon-membership-service-announced |url-status=live }} Moises Taveras of Kotaku highlighted that Beacon was "not quite going the way" of Dropout, which hosts all of its programming on its subscription service, but said that it had avoided the controversies of Watcher, which had faced backlash for locking future content behind a subscription before later reversing the decision.{{Cite web |last=Taveras |first=Moises |date=May 10, 2024 |title=Popular D&D Group Critical Role Asks Fans To Pay Because YouTube And Twitch Suck |url=https://kotaku.com/critical-role-subscription-beacon-twitch-youtube-1851469461 |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=Kotaku |language=en |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510164226/https://kotaku.com/critical-role-subscription-beacon-twitch-youtube-1851469461 |url-status=live }} Taveras opined that Beacon was an option for "immensely dedicated Critters" that wanted to directly support the company. Tara McCauley, for The Escapist, said the contrast between Critical Role{{'s}} and Watcher{{'}}s respective subscription rollouts was "night and day".{{Cite web |last=McCauley |first=Tara |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Critical Role Unveils Member Platform Beacon & People Are Drawing Comparison to Watcher Controversy |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/critical-role-unveils-member-platform-beacon-people-are-drawing-comparison-to-watcher-controversy/ |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=The Escapist |language=en-US}} McCauley observed that the influx of traffic to Beacon caused temporary crashes and delays, further highlighting the stark contrast between the two announcements.
= 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).{{cite news |last1=Codega |first1=Linda |title=Dungeons & Dragons' New License Tightens Its Grip on Competition |url=https://gizmodo.com/dnd-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl-1-1-open-gaming-license-1849950634 |access-date=January 16, 2023 |work=Gizmodo |date=January 5, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111115214/https://gizmodo.com/dnd-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl-1-1-open-gaming-license-1849950634 |url-status=live }} Both the Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting sourcebook and its updated edition, Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, were published under the original OGL,{{Cite book |last1=Mercer |first1=Matthew |title=Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting |last2=Haeck |first2=James |publisher=Green Ronin Publishing |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-934547-84-7 |location=Seattle, WA |pages=143 |oclc=1000342575}}{{Cite book |last=Mercer |first=Matthew |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1298901488 |title=Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn |date=2022 |others=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 |isbn=978-1-7373725-0-9 |edition=Revised |location=Los Angeles, California |pages=280 |oclc=1298901488 |access-date=2023-01-17 |archive-date=2023-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711010347/https://www.worldcat.org/title/1298901488 |url-status=live }} which has allowed a wide range of unofficial commercial derivative work based on the mechanics of Dungeons and Dragons to be produced since 2000.{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Kit |date=2023-01-10 |title=Beware the Gifts of Dragons: How D&D's Open Gaming License May Have Become a Trap for Creators |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/01/beware-gifts-dragons-how-dds-open-gaming-license-may-have-become-trap-creators |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2023-01-12 |access-date=2023-01-12 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |language=en}} 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 and instead spoke of its support of the tabletop game community.{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2023 |title=Critical Role Issues Ambiguous Response to 'D&D' OGL 1.1 Controversy |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/53086/critical-role-issues-ambiguous-response-d-d-ogl-1-1-controversy |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=ICv2 |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117164600/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/53086/critical-role-issues-ambiguous-response-d-d-ogl-1-1-controversy |url-status=live }}{{cite tweet|number=1614019463367610392|user=CriticalRole|title=From all of us at Critical Role.}} The statement also mentioned supporting developers of new [TTRPG] systems. While some were disappointed by the statement,{{cite news |last1=Borgonia |first1=Geoff |date=January 16, 2023 |title=D&D fans angered at WoTC insider email and Critical Role over OGL 1.1 response |work=Xfire |url=https://www.xfire.com/dnd-dungeons-and-dragons-wotc-leak-email-critical-role-ogl/ |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209173456/https://www.xfire.com/dnd-dungeons-and-dragons-wotc-leak-email-critical-role-ogl/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Law |first1=Eric |title=Critical Role Releases Official Statement on Dungeons and Dragons OGL Controversy |url=https://gamerant.com/critical-role-dungeons-and-dragons-ogl-controversy-statement-reaction/ |access-date=January 17, 2023 |work=Game Rant |date=January 16, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117143744/https://gamerant.com/critical-role-dungeons-and-dragons-ogl-controversy-statement-reaction/ |url-status=live }} others thought it was a legally shrewd statement. ICv2 speculated that the company "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". 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 its third campaign, and that there may be "non-disparity clauses" preventing them from speaking out against Hasbro, its subsidiaries, and its products.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXmHJgVoZyI |title=Why D&D's OGL Response RUINED Their Brand |date=January 15, 2023 |medium=YouTube |publisher=ComicBook.com |location= |series=The Character Sheet |time= |access-date=January 16, 2023 |format= |people=Hoffer, Christian |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116001931/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXmHJgVoZyI |url-status=live }} In an interview with Codega, Ray stated the importance of having "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".{{Cite web |date=2023-01-23 |title=Critical Role's Cast Supports Independent Creators and New Systems |url=https://gizmodo.com/critical-role-matt-mercer-marisha-ray-opendnd-dnd-ogl-1850019716 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123205020/https://gizmodo.com/critical-role-matt-mercer-marisha-ray-opendnd-dnd-ogl-1850019716 |url-status=live }} 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".
= Accolades =
The Critical Role channel has won the following awards:
| class="wikitable sortable"
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" | Ref |
| style="text-align: center;" | 2019
| Webby Awards | Video Series & Channels – Games | {{Win}} (Webby Award & People's Voice) |
| style="text-align: center;" | 2019
|rowspan=2| Shorty Awards | Games | {{Win}} (Finalist & Audience Honor) |
| style="text-align: center;" | 2021
| Games | {{nom}} (Finalist) | {{Cite web |title=Critical Role - The Shorty Awards |url=http://shortyawards.com/13th/critical-role |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=Shorty Awards |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529003251/https://shortyawards.com/13th/critical-role |url-status=live }} |
Charity involvement
Critical Role Productions collaborated with Stephen Colbert for Red Nose Day in a special one-on-one adventure with Matthew Mercer as Dungeon Master, which aired on May 23, 2019. Fans were able to donate to the cause and vote on various elements of the adventure, such as Colbert's companion, character class, legendary weapon, and the villain. In the one-shot campaign, Colbert played a half-elf bard named Capo, who was accompanied by a bee named Eric. The event raised $117,176.20 for the charity.Sources for this event are:
- {{Cite news|last=Hoffer|first=Christian|date=May 15, 2019|title=Chose Stephen Colbert's 'Dungeons & Dragons' Adventure for Charity|website=ComicBook.com|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/05/15/dungeons-and-dragons-stephen-colbert-charity/|access-date=May 19, 2019|archive-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403012407/https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/05/15/dungeons-and-dragons-stephen-colbert-charity/|url-status=live}}
- {{Cite news|last=Fisher|first=Jessica|date=May 17, 2019|title=Stephen Colbert Participating in Dungeons and Dragons Event for Charity|website=GeekTyrant|url=https://geektyrant.com/news/stephen-colbert-participating-in-dungeons-and-dragons-event-for-charity|access-date=May 19, 2019|archive-date=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711010411/https://geektyrant.com/news/stephen-colbert-participating-in-dungeons-and-dragons-event-for-charity|url-status=live}}
- {{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=Jeremy|date=May 16, 2019|title=Stephen Colbert is Playing D&D With Critical Role's Matthew Mercer For Red Nose Day|website=411Mania|url=http://411mania.com/games/stephen-colbert-playing-dd-critical-role-red-nose-day/|access-date=May 19, 2019|archive-date=May 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520021214/https://411mania.com/games/stephen-colbert-playing-dd-critical-role-red-nose-day/|url-status=dead}}
- {{Cite news|last=Haeck|first=James|date=May 23, 2019|title=Stephen Colbert Plays D&D with Matthew Mercer|website=D&D Beyond|url=http://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/502-stephen-colbert-plays-d-d-with-matthew-mercer|access-date=May 25, 2019|archive-date=May 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525040116/https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/502-stephen-colbert-plays-d-d-with-matthew-mercer|url-status=live}}
- {{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=Jeremy|date=May 27, 2019|title=Critical Role Releases Stephen Colbert's D&D Mini-Adventure For Red Nose Day|website=411Mania|url=http://411mania.com/games/critical-role-stephen-colberts-dd-mini-adventure-red-nose-day/|access-date=May 30, 2019|archive-date=May 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529004635/https://411mania.com/games/critical-role-stephen-colberts-dd-mini-adventure-red-nose-day/|url-status=dead}}
= Critical Role Foundation =
File:Critical_Role_Foundation_logo_2020.jpeg
In September 2020, Critical Role Productions launched a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Critical Role Foundation,{{Cite web|last=Alexander|first=Julia|date=2020-10-07|title=Critical Role's next big move is a charity organization that fans can donate to all year round|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/7/21505658/critical-role-foundation-charity-ashley-johnson-twitch-fans-community|access-date=2020-10-07|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010134408/https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/7/21505658/critical-role-foundation-charity-ashley-johnson-twitch-fans-community|url-status=live}} with the mission "to leave the world better than we found it". Ashley Johnson was named president of the organization, with Matthew Mercer, Eduardo Lopez, Rachel Romero, and Mark Koro serving as officers and board members.{{Cite web|last=Puc|first=Samantha|date=2020-09-24|title=Critical Role Announces 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Foundation|url=https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-foundation-announcement/|access-date=2020-09-24|website=CBR|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004083305/https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-foundation-announcement/|url-status=live}} Critical Role Foundation stated that 85% of donation funds would go to partner non-profits, 10% would be allocated into an emergency fund, and 5% would be allocated to administrative fees and operating expenses. The emergency fund will allow the foundation to donate contributions "in the event of natural disasters and other unforeseen events that require immediate humanitarian assistance".{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-09-24|title=Critical Role Foundation {{!}} Critical Role|url=https://critrole.com/foundation/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924170138/https://critrole.com/foundation/|archive-date=2020-09-24|access-date=2020-09-24|website=|language=en-US}} CBR reported that the foundation would partner with other organizations in the non-profit sector that share similar values to the show and its community.
In an interview, Johnson explained that Critical Role has collaborated with several non-profit organizations aligned with the community’s values. These charities include 826LA, Red Nose Day, OSD, Pablove and OutRight International. Since the streaming began in 2015, the Critical Role community has donated over half a million dollars to these causes, according to Johnson.{{Cite web|last=Puc|first=Samantha|date=2020-09-24|title=INTERVIEW: Critical Role Foundation President Ashley Johnson Says Critters Inspired New Nonprofit|url=https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-foundation-ashley-johnson-interview/|access-date=2020-09-24|website=CBR|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029160252/https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-foundation-ashley-johnson-interview/|url-status=live}} To ensure tax-deductible donations for donors, the team decided to establish a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation. Johnson clarified that while the Critical Role Foundation would be closely connected to the larger Critical Role community, it would operate as a separate entity.
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 $423,000, which was a 252% increase over the 2019 campaign.{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2022 |title=Choose Stephen's Adventure… Again! {{!}} The 7th Shorty Impact Awards |url=http://shortyawards.com/7th-impact/choose-stephens-adventure-again |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=The Shorty Awards |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026174310/https://shortyawards.com/7th-impact/choose-stephens-adventure-again |url-status=live }}
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