Critical Role Gets A NEW CAST, NEW SHOWS, & NEW PLATFORM! What is Beacon?

Huge fantasy and TTRPG news today on the Character Sheet as ‪@criticalrole‬ has announced "Beacon", their new streaming platform/service that includes a NEW Critical Role Cast, new Critical Role shows, exclusive Critical Role access and much, much more. So just what is Beacon...who are the members of the new Critical Role cast and what is the new show they are working on? And how can Critical Role fans access Beacon...and what will happen to the Critical Role shows streaming and appearing on Twitch and KZbin!
We bring you all the details on Beacon, the new Critical Role cast and more, right now on The Character Sheet!
#criticalrole #beacon #ttrpg
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[@ryanratchford2530]

Always wanted an Adventuring Party / post-game discussion for Critical role. Always want time with the cast digesting stuff. Love those small conversations just before they cut to break or end the stream

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Watching the Post FCG death Cool Down now...it's really, really informative and interesting!

[@kydddeath]

They just went full dimension 20.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

To a degree, and they did hire some of the most recent non intrepid hero cast members, but hey, both groups are clearly friends so it's not too shocking!

[@dungeondr]

Yes, but at least in the short term I can't see content that'd drive me to want to sign up, especially since the core content is available for free. D20 meanwhile has a wealth of subscription locked content, and is one part of Dropout. While I initially signed up for D20, it was the other great shows (Game Changer and Make Some Noise especially), that got me to keep the subscription.

[@SilverScribe85]

If that's the case, I can imagine episodes of these new shows (eventually) being uploaded onto KZbin for people to watch; people who can't pay monthly subscriptions like what D20's Dropout or this Beacon site wishes for us to pay

[@DessieDoyle]

​@@dungeondr, yeah, Dropout offers so much more quality content than just "TTRPG Actual Play, BtS, and Recaps". If CR starts doing other content that is not necessarily TTRPG related, maybe it'll be worth $60 a year, but I'm not seeing value right now beyond simply wanting to financially support them, especially since the vast majority of the content is already widely available for free, and mostly older stuff.

[@houndgirl7365]

​@@SilverScribe85 honestly I enjoy CR, but not touching my dropout subscription~ dropout has done the work and has put money where there mouth lies. They are for the workers giving people what they deserve while also supporting strikes~ I don't see that as much outspokenness with Critical Role~ I support them and know where there morals are, but dropout jas more and does more. (Yes I know CR has a nonprofit, but to me it just part of the course I'm sure intentions are good ppl just tend to use them for tax wrote offs) I don't know I like Dropout I get sooo much content there that is ethically obtained. I'm not one to push others to do things, but I am one to support those that have been loud (Ally got arrested for peacefully protesting) then they donating all the proceeds from their minis to donate for humanitarian aide in Gaza. I enjoy CR, but Beacon is nowhere to me like Dropout and I'm not a fan girl that has put anyone on a pedestal~ did that with Steve Irwin as a child he's dead that was the only one and even he wasn't perfect~ sooo my perspective.

[@Kilted-Jeeper]

Done - I was donating through KZbin BUT decided to go direct, so the "Company" got more $$

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Yup, Critical Role doesn't have to split any payouts on Beacon!

[@tieflinglesbian]

Why is company in quotations? Critical role is a company. They take sponsorships from massive scummy corporations. They prioritize profit and business structure.

[@staceygram5555]

Why are you 'donating' to millionaires? 😂

[@Kilted-Jeeper]

​@@staceygram5555, hopefully this is a serious question and not mockery. I will offer you a serious answer and hope you think about the billionaire companies CEO's you buy products from which are WANTS and not NEEDS. I am choosing to PAY this Company (and their employees) for the service they are providing me. YEP, I could get it free from youtube but by paying them I am helping them make more content in the way they wish to do WITHOUT them having to pay another company (youtube) some of the profits. What billionaire company do you buy your pop, coffee, entertainment and guilty pleasures from (which are not NEEDS but WANTS)? Thanks for the question.

[@staceygram5555]

@@Kilted-Jeeper Buying a burger at McDonald's is not the same as donating money to McDonald's, so my question remains unanswered. But thanks anyway.

[@ryanratchford2530]

Goodbye twitch subscription , hello Beacon

[@deathbykonami5487]

Same here, I already have a dropout subscription because it provides more content besides D&D for the price I pay, this is going to be the same bargain.

[@lawrencedarrah1682]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@Baraz_Red]

Oh, you found an argument. Interesting.

[@yiklongtay6029]

I wonder how Watcher will affect fan reception. They can be more jaded and cynical due to the recent events. Or it could go "See? This is how you do a subscription". It can really go either way

[@TheCharacterSheet]

It looks like they learned from Watcher and realized they can't paywall the stuff people know them for, just new projects and series!

[@rakuloe]

Lots of people complaining already just by looking at the titles. Aka people not checking or listening to the fact all the main content stays free and Twitch and KZbin subs are not disappearing. It seems fine to be honest for the price and you can easily pay for 1 month check all the behind the scenes stuff and then cancel it again.

[@theultrasceptile]

I’ve been seeing a lot of people talk about watcher, meanwhile I don’t really know what that is lmao

[@JohnYoo39]

​@theultrasceptile buzzfeed guys that tried to paywall their stuff all at once in a pretty weird video announcement.

[@danielard5574]

This is much more similar to Dropout TV than Watcher (and has a large crossover in fan base/actors), but it may actually be the best security net for them seeing as Twitch has never been profitable and there is no telling how much longer angel investors are going to keep that and other mid 2010's tech companies afloat. Time will only tell, it also gives them a centralized way to paywall a Daggerheart "DnD Beyond" with sheets/rules/campaigns once it hits full production and not have to use a middleman like Demiplane who is gonna take a large chunk of cash for simply hosting it.

[@conmore1]

Twitch is such a volatile platform so I’m glad they are trying to build their own service

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Yeah, with the insanity going on with Twitch and Kick, having your own platform as a back up and effectively a nice patreon seems smart.

[@MARI0X16]

I really hated watching the stream on twitch, was glad to be able to switch to KZbin. Hopefully Beacon will have a much less toxic chat

[@shadowhell8378]

Oh no a stadium full of people when Laudna uses message it's finally happening

[@Dairkun]

Oh gods...I had *not* considered this. 😂

[@SpellhawksPressLive2014]

This is like their own bad ass version of Patreon with no cut going to anyone else.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Very much so. It's a high end Patreon with a full creative engine behind it with CR keeping all the profits.

[@ChicCanyon]

I like Jack Conte not getting money

[@ChocoKid26]

I think I actually might subscribe and I'm not even paying right now for something. I've been perfectly fine with just watching the livestream when it airs or when it gets uploaded to youtube. The fireside chat and the cooldown alone makes me want to pay for this. Not to mention that all of the money goes to them and not twitch or youtube.

[@matiej]

Ok with Beacon! The main show stays free. Little bit sad they didn't immediately upload some (new) One Shots of Daggerheart on Beacon. From their own playtesting for example.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

That is very easily something they could start doing going forward though!

[@matiej]

@@TheCharacterSheet now we can only hope. 🤞

[@Coleth.3]

All Daggerheart videos are already up, including the oneshot. It's under the Collections tap at the top of the page.

[@matiej]

@@Coleth.3 Thank you for mentioning. I was actually referring to new content in relation to Daggerheart. 👊 (updated my initial comment; thx!)

[@BrendonTheBrewbarian]

This is more like Dropout than Watcher, I think this is a good fit for them

[@PlasmaticPi]

I'm surprised they didn't just move to Dropout. I mean they already have everything Critical Role needs except the live streaming part, and they are still gonna be doing that on twitch anyways.

[@reedk2402]

@@PlasmaticPiwould make no sense. They would get less independence. I feel like beacon is about them wanting total control over everything. But ya it would have been awesome. I got both beacon and dropout lol

[@EPICSAWIKI]

I’m happy for them.. but geez I’m sick of everyone and their mother having a subscription service now.

[@akrumvatum1627]

Yeah, it used to be so simple, one, two, maybe three subscribtions and you had everything you needed. Now it's just too much.

[@elbruces]

There are only 2 that I even care about, Dropout and this.

[@nachoalfonso2614]

It's to make sure the money goes to them and not to some intermediary that is only providing a platform and not really involved in the project. It's like patreon with less strings attached for them. If you aren't interested in the extra content, don't pay the subscription and keep watching the main campaign on KZbin.

[@EPICSAWIKI]

@@nachoalfonso2614 I understand why they’re doing it and like I said, I’m happy for them but I like many others, have reached subscription fatigue lol. I’ll probably skip the extra content and keep it KZbin only.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Will you be signing up for Beacon...and what do you think of the new Critical Role cast for Re-Slayers Take? Let us know!

[@jonin0001]

Already have signed up

[@crimsonhere5793]

no

[@ejd53]

Already did.

[@johnharrison2086]

Nah

[@ben5676755]

I'm game for it. I really only do twitch for CR and live music

[@fowlfables]

Classic critter hug on the website being down.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Yeah, no website was going to withstand that initial onslaught lol

[@jaysennavarro5378]

A couple things CR did to make as much money as possible with the launch of Beacon. 1. They didn’t release an iOS app at launch because they would make more money from sign-ups on their website rather than through iOS. Chances are subscription prices will be higher because of the Apple tax. 2. A feature of Beacon is pre-sale access to Live Events, however you have to have a paid subscription to use this (not free trial). CR announces a live event today, to get more people to pay for a Beacon subscription to get pre-sale access.

[@marshallrobinson1019]

"A new hand has touched The Beacon!!!"

[@placebo5466]

**jumps out of my fuckin skin**

[@fershnibbity330]

This is tough. I already miss out completely on Dimension 20 b/c I'm poor and can't afford another subscription, but I LOVE Critical Role and want to support them so they can keep going, yet I can't pay that too. KZbin obviously is tanking and is no longer a good source of revenue for creators. Everyone's moving to paid subscription models like Patreon or otherwise b/c then they have a steady stream of revenue that they can put back into their business. I want to support good talent like this so much b/c I want them to know their value, but I just can't afford it.

[@jaket8947]

Well, at least the main stuff is still free.

[@EunoiaRPG]

I guess I've just freed up my amazon prime subscription, haha

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Yeah, we feel like this is definitely going to free up some primes lol

[@EunoiaRPG]

@@TheCharacterSheet shame I'll be losing my streak that's lasted ever since they got their own channel though

[@roderickbabilius2125]

The Abridged episode move is so huge. I watch CR entirely for the story and worldbuilding. I am generally not a fan of the cast, so getting through the other campaigns was tough for me, ultimately making me walk away from campaign 3 about 30 episodes in. Since they have been pre-recorded for years now, I had always wondered why they didn't implement a Dimension20 style edit that would drastically cut down the run times, especially in an ever growing market with faster paced content. This move might bring me back and make me an intermittent subscriber. This is very likely to bring a lot of people like me back into the main storyline

[@dungeondr]

I'm sceptical as I don't feel like a subscription platform built on actual play content alone makes sense, but if critters like it more power to them.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

They are adding new content as well, and while most is at least actual play adjacent, they have also hinted at different projects going forward!

[@PuffyCloud_aka_puffeclaude]

For hardcore critters, the live event early access is a must. I plopped a year sub immediately, even though I can't drop my Twitch sub for a couple months yet. (I'm too close to 69)

[@dungeondr]

@@PuffyCloud_aka_puffeclaude Yeah the more I hear from Critters (some of my players are) the more I see that for them they feel it's a good deal (and also a way out of putting money into Amazon's pocket). I don't personally see the appeal, but for them I hope it goes well.

[@twothirdsanexplosive]

Dropout has done well with a broad focus on improv. I can see CR trying to make this the home for "alternative" storytelling that would potentially include more animation projects as well.

[@JoshityJosh]

Dimension 20 has done it since the beginning and does fine. Granted there’s a lot more shows besides D20 on dropout but there are lotsa people subscribed purely for D20.

[@thelaughingdm3786]

i think the abridged version is a great idea! I understand that some people love the uncut version though, so it’s good they’re keeping that

[@IronTon11]

I'm going to sign up. I support critical role . 😊

[@ryanratchford2530]

Wow didn’t realise all this new content. Definitely subscribing

[@meijinx9673]

I'm not gonna get it, but I am interested in re Slayer's Take, and imo, they should've started Critical Role Abridged a long time ago. I can wait until they come to KZbin.

[@reilley26]

Excited for the opportunities this presents for CR content but I already run into issues of not watching as much as Id like on Dropout because of the lack of an app.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Dropout has an app on Amazon Fire and Roku and I think just flat out mobile now too (if not then that mobile app is coming)

[@reilley26]

@TheCharacterSheet it is on the phone now, thanks! Just need it on my console and I will be getting caught up on all sorts of Dimension 20!

[@RobertMcGovernTarasis]

Yes I will chip in because I enjoy what they provide. I may not be able to do it every month, but I will when I can. I'd rather money go directly to them than YT/Twitch/Amazon

[@TheCharacterSheet]

I'm sure the months you can swing it will be great, and the ones where you can't you still get those main campaign streams same as always!

[@jetvulcan2020]

I will sighn up but think I will give it some time so its easier to sign up but I like this idea feel better supporting them this way

[@fidellerosa]

damn I want a Beaconator with large fies and a Frostee

[@Bloodthirstier]

I don't view it as a cash grab since it's pretty much the price of a twitch subscription and odds are you get more bang for your buck. I won't join however because honestly I am stretched thin as it is with all these subscriptions and I feel that Dropout (which is the best comparison I can make) has a lot more varied content and therefore more worth it than just RPGS or Critical Role campaign based content

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Yeah, they are keeping the main stuff free, and just adding more content for people that want it. It's basically just a more organized Patreon

[@griff6447]

Might be worth trying when C4 starts. But before that I don't feel like this is worth it? Dropout had Total Forgiveness on launch, then Dimension 20. Thats A tier. CR is going to have all the same content thats available on youtube, one new series with a different cast (audio only), and some unscripted off-cuts? I'm sure it'll be interesting but.. 5.99 interesting? (Also access to a discord and early access means so little. Especially the tickets, theyve never done a live show in my country, only once within a reasonable distance.) Am I missing something here or what

[@laurac2556]

For me, it's just giving them my money every month directly instead of to twitch. Very straightforward for me. Content will come with time.

[@AdamEMS306]

the discount at the stores alone is worth it

[@twothirdsanexplosive]

10% off some things you probably were going to buy anyways is pretty sweet

[@ryanratchford2530]

I hope they bring back Critical Recap in video I use to love rewatching them

[@TheDrexxus]

I'm a little disappointed in this to be honest. They used to upload everything they did for free on their channel. They used to do numerous little shows. But now it feels like they'll just have the main show up for free, but all the extra stuff is now paywalled, which is definitely a downgrade from what it was before. And the idea that there will be "more" stuff I find questionable. Matt was already stretched very thin between the various things he has going on. Coming up with stuff for his shows, plus his products, and so on. I was actually concerned that when Campaign 3 ends, he might take a break and get a different DM for campaign 4 or just start to phase himself out entirely. The whole company is basically built on Matt. I guess we'll see how it pans out, but it's disappointing to me that future content is paywalled when it never was before. About the only way I could see this being a good thing is if they relied on this money instead of taking sponsors that they shill before every game since they sometimes have questionable or problematic sponsors. But I doubt that is gonna happen, I fully expect the sponsorships to continue on top of the pay wall. Oof.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

They still will upload all the stuff that is currently being done for free on KZbin and Twitch, but we think that probably looking back on how much they had to spend to make all those off shoot content series back pre pandemic (The painting one, the arcade one, sam and liam's podcast, travis yeehaw game ranch, etc) they realized additional stuff needed some kind of pay structure to make sense. Thats our guess anyway!

[@patrickmcisaac3142]

I understand your frustration but maybe it's harder to run a company based off the income of youtube. They have at least 50 employees, and if they want to pay them 50k a year they need to make 2.5 million (plus all other costs and let's be honest, 50k is not enough in California right now) From other channels, it is Clear that youtube and twitch are malfunctioning and either demonitizing or taking too big of a cut from every video. Bigger companies are starting to rebel and are willing to take risks that their fanbases will support them, untethered to big conglomerates. I don't know if it's a slam dunk, I'm sure Travis, marisha, Matt and the rest of the cast are shitting themselves right now. But they are DOING something, and not just letting it happen to them

[@erinjoyner3739]

LOL That Discord is gonna be a MESS... God bless the poor Mods who gotta deal with that noise.

[@intelli-gent9863]

Agreed. The first couple months will be chaos 😬 I foresee lots of banning...it will take a long while to cultivate the server.

[@thienpool]

I signed up as soon as I saw it was announced XD

[@jFG5790]

depending on the price it might be time to raise my jolly roger again.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

The price is actually mentioned in the video. It's 5.99 a month, or $60 for a year.

[@jFG5790]

@@TheCharacterSheet yeah no, im too much of a third world person and i doubt they will have regional pricing.

[@Bentron88]

They just keep growing!! … but what’s happening with Legend of Vox Machina? Just a tiny reassurance that they are still working on it would be great!

[@jamesmaclennan4525]

They did mention that it was still being worked on a few weeks back

[@Fran-bl2lz]

Today it was also announced that season 3 will be out "this fall".

[@Baraz_Red]

Poor CR ; they really needed more money. No harm done, so whatever. EDIT: RyanRatchford in the comments here made me realize one can pay CR instead of Twitch. OK. Personally, I will just buy merch when I want to support them.

[@AzureHart]

I will sign up. I'd rather more of what I pay goes directly to CR.

[@Anya54321]

Yup signed up as soon as I saw it 😊

[@eaglesight333]

Looks cool. But the only current two shows if interest to me, is Fire side chat and cooldown. Nothing else is of current interest. So, wont subscribe at this time. Maybe in the future.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

That's reasonable. We are excited to see what The Re-Slayers Take is all about, but I think people will need to see that at least once or twice on KZbin to get a feel for it!

[@shootfromtheright2712]

Killed my twitch and got Beacon. I do keep wanting to call it Bacon though.... Mmmmm bacon!

[@Waterflame]

The phone apps are called Pocket Beacon, because they know we love some pocket bacon and puns!

[@단승호]

Bidet from South Korea I'm definitely signing up... friggin twitch...

[@FranklinLongallnitelong22]

I will wait and see.

[@DM-CW]

Interesting way for them to monetize. Esp since they still post to twitch and KZbin i bet

[@timothychessmore6552]

Already Subscribed

[@DM_Kat]

Nope, Not for me but wish them well.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Fair, not everyone wants to jump to a new platform!

[@junomcguff]

Im curious about the cooldowns ❤

[@IWFarrar2]

Can anybody tell me what's going on with Sam????

[@Waterflame]

My guess is that he will debut his new character at the live show.

[@Superdummy803]

Step 1. Sign up for Beacon Step 2. Cancel Twitch sub. Step 3 ???? Step 4 Profit!! Done and done.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Yeah, I think you are the first in a wave of cancelled twitch subs lol

[@krogan3760]

Mmm beacon

[@TheCharacterSheet]

beacon pancakes, making beacon pancakes...

[@ErikFrankhouse]

Project Alpha flashbacks.

[@basementality4924]

I like CR but the current campaign just hasn’t kept my interest. Kinda just waiting on the 4th campaign to start, then we’ll see.

[@wcthesecret]

Where’s undeadwood?

[@TheCharacterSheet]

While we loved that series, it's basically tainted and forever black listed by the GM's inclusion given what has come out since then.

[@wcthesecret]

@@TheCharacterSheet that doesn’t matter. You want to respect completion. Have everything in it. Wwe never removed chris Benoit or Vince McMahon from their streaming services. They only removed hulk hogan rock n wrestling because they added it a very short time before his thing came out. So it’s not right to remove something because of one bad seed. Remember the osmosis song. One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch girl.

[@CinemaCynic_]

They did Brian Foster so dirty.

[@laurac2556]

All content with BWF was removed from their channel so it wouldn't even dawn on me that they would include it on beacon. They made it clear that content doesn't come before their friend. Good on them.

[@wcthesecret]

@@laurac2556 no it’s bad on them. It’s cowardice and censorship.

[@oeszeki4399]

Nah, twitch prime and pay for Dimension20 can't afford another platform. Would rather keep playing for Dimension20 than Beacon

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Yeah man, that's a tough call, but we do absolutely LOVE our Dropout membership so we can't fault you!

[@Dunybrook]

Probably wouldn't join right away in case they have bugs to work out and also to give them a chance to build up some content to make it worth it.

[@joereilly7082]

Testing free trial now on my Linux box. Everything seems to be working. If that continues then bye bye twitch.

[@ChicCanyon]

There's nothing on youtube id pay for

[@BryanWasHere89]

Currently, it’s not for me but I’m not mad about it.

[@luffyswaifu420]

SO FAST

[@nicksternyr8728]

I love critical role but I'm very upset that they basically scripted killing Sam in campaign 3 to have Sam help work on reslayers take. Now Relayers is a freaking insult to Dnd and Dnd Players! A scripted dnd show???? 🤥😬 Not sure I like that, its basically the opposite of what dnd is. Thats an audio book 📖 Pre-planned rolls and results is blasphemous and why Tiberious stormwind was kicked off the show.

[@swapsplat]

Critical role went downhill when they canceled Talks Machina with Brian. Season 2 was great, terrible ending until they redid it. Season 3 just got to be unwatchable, even though Laudina was Marisha's best character. It's not a surprise they're trying to milk their fans for more money.

[@loweskyrosario]

Wouldn't it have been smarter to wait till after the "regular" cast and group is back? Not everyone was happy with the couple episodes of the Crown Keepers

[@ALilLost]

The regular group is back though? They came back last episode

[@lucifer515666]

pass. they've gotten too big and abandoned their original fan base. anything other than the og cast is shit

[@Dutchofclass]

Nahhh fam..this ain't it CR

[@murmillo666]

The evolution to merch grift is complete.

[@StoryWeaverSteve]

They'll stop beating that dead horse, when it, stops spitting out money.

[@smoothisfast6644]

hard pass

[@TheCharacterSheet]

Fair, it's definitely not for everyone, but hey, you still get your free Critical Role on Twitch and KZbin!

[@smoothisfast6644]

@@TheCharacterSheet Exactly, If it was forever paywalled that is a different conversation.

[@cmurph321]

Nah.

[@TheCharacterSheet]

That's fair, and luckily they are keeping the streams free on KZbin and Twitch as well

[@BatMan-ve5ro]

No thank you.

[@stephonshearin9059]

Wait so they will still go live on KZbin right?? 🥲🥲

[@TheCharacterSheet]

YES! They will still be live on KZbin and Twitch for main campaign!

[@midwesternpickle]

same cost as a twitch sub (annual plan) so that's an easy switch. site format is giving Dropout