Here's Why Critical Roles New Show Is More Important Than You Might Realize

[@cristianmejia8610]

oh no, another channel that is slowly becoming a critical role channel insted of a dnd channel SMH

[@PlayYourRole]

**EDIT** PLEASE do not give any hate to the commenter above. They've done nothing wrong but shared their opinion. Discussion is fine, hate is not. Thank you! It's very important that my audience knows this, so I'm going to pin it: My channel started as a Critical Role channel. The very first video that ever got traction and made my channel what it is today, was strictly about how special Critical Role was to me. That being said, despite my joy and love for Critical Role, I have posted 101 videos to date, of which less than 10% are about Critical Role. I believe any DND KZbinr who talks about more than just mechanics will have to address CR at some point. They are too big and have too much influence over the DND space to ignore or pretend they are not something worth talking about. It is not wrong to discuss Critical Role. They are a wonderful group of people, but they also have a massive influence over the DND space and deserve to be discussed as well as criticized and praised. Please don't tear down other youtubers for discussing something that is very relevant to todays topic, especially not when they originally got started as a channel which discussed Critical Role. I fully understand that you were speaking out of a lack of knowledge here, you know I talk about DND and saw me post a Critical Role video and didn't know about the origins of the channel (at least that is my assumption). That's entirely okay, but please be aware that forcing an air of negativity around talking about Critical Role can be harmful as a whole as it prevents both good discussion as well as reasonable criticism that might be valuable for them. TL:DR: I am not _becoming_ a Critical Role channel. Critical Role has been a core talking aspect of my channel from the start. My channel is about the DND community as a whole, and so they will come up in conversation. Please keep things positive, and don't shut down important conversation. Thanks!

[@foxtoxic9722]

To be fair the two are becoming rather synonymous. PYR still makes D&D specific content but with critical roles popularity growing it makes it an easy reference when talking about rules or role play. Critical role has brought so much attention to not just D&D but ttrpgs in general its hard to mention one without the other. It’s like talking about 5e without acknowledging pathfinder exists.

[@foxtoxic9722]

@@PlayYourRole you replied just before I could. lol. But yes to everything you said. Now I do understand that some people may have some destain for CR because of things like the Matt Mercer effect and the fact that they’re professional actors and some could see CR as an unrealistic expectation. But! One of the best metaphors I ever heard concerning D&D, can’t remember from where exactly, but they basically compared D&D to sports. Like some people like to play basketball. To go out and shoot some hoops with your friends, get some actual face to face interaction with another actual human being, and just have fun playing a game you all enjoy. Now are they going to be playing like the Chicago Bulls in the mid 90s, walking through the air like MJ? No probably not. But it is nice to be able to see what the pinnacle of your hobby can be and to learn from it.

[@Ragnarok6664]

CR is D&D suprise, suprise.

[@QueenAleenaFan]

@@PlayYourRole The commenter is based. Anyone who hates them (but not those who just critique them) is cringe.

[@323starlight]

Also I should point out, Legend of Vox Machina isn't just gonna be prestream. Footage shows the Briarwoods on screen so we're gonna be going into official streams as well.

[@PlayYourRole]

I thought for sure that would come later but if we get that sooner I will be SO thrilled!

[@tylerishere614]

@@PlayYourRole So here is my understanding of season 1. The first two episodes of season 1 will deal with a new story prior to the stream to introduce the audience to the characters and the dynamic (so even those unfamiliar with Campaign One can watch and understand) and then after those first two episodes, they will be delving into the Briarwood arc for the remainder of season 1. I sincerely hope this goes well as it opens the door for so much more, including the potential of animating the other campaigns and maybe even one-shots. If this show does well, the opportunities are endless and I for one would LOVE to see more.

[@grantlauzon5237]

@@PlayYourRole 12 episodes in season 1. First 2 are pre stream. The rest will be the Briarwood arc. First 3 episodes air at once. Season 2 already green-lit.

[@WeaselSpanzor]

@@grantlauzon5237 I thought it was 24 episodes? Or is that including season 2?

[@TheEzio1991]

@@WeaselSpanzor I think that’s both seasons

[@kpny8484]

I think either way, we could look at this as fans doing more self sponsored content, instead of waiting for someone like Netflix to step in and screw things up.

[@PlayYourRole]

I truly hope self sponsored high grade content becomes the norm, it could really add a new revenue of creativity

[@isaiahwelch8066]

I look at LoVM and CR like the music scene is today. I listen to metal, so I'm a bit biased about that. However, the internet has been such a huge gamechanger for unknown bands. Bands like Unleash the Archers, Bloodywood, Sabaton, Amaranthe, even Nightwish -- all of these non-American bands are now known by people like me, because without the internet, I would never have found them, let alone knew they exist. The point is, "Mercer Effect" aside, D&D has become mainstream -- and shows like TLoVM will make D&D more mainstream than it already is, because of the internet. And companies, save for corporate music management, are paying attention. I have to wonder how foolish the companies CR pitched TLoVM to that said 'no,' only to have Amazon pick them up, and make a metric ton of money in the process. Even Best Buy, Target, and Wal-Mart are now carrying CR merch -- so the money is there. People will spend it, and these companies that pay attention will make a killing, IMO. At the same time, content creators also win, because something like TLoVM proves anything is possible -- and everybody wins, which is what capitalism and the free market are all about. What the American Dream was originally about. And CR proves that if you're willing to work hard and do what you love, there's no limit to what you can do, other than the limits you place upon yourself. And everybody can use that kind of encouragement and positive thinking, positive energy.

[@commandercaptain4664]

Oh my level 0 sweet summer child, how you underestimate Hollywood.

[@Drekromancer]

@@isaiahwelch8066 Well said, king. 👑

[@Polopony20.]

@@commandercaptain4664 i vote we bruin hollywood. Screw them. (mostly joking.... mostly...)

[@cortofmalk]

Honestly, in the end I think the show will be really good for D&D. All of the popular web shows have already done some damage to how people view the game, and people like Matt and Brennan have already taught us the lessons needed for overcoming the obsession to make our games like what we see in media. If that starts happening with LoVM, there are already videos by the people in the show correcting that obsession, and pointing people to what makes the game actually good.

[@CC-of5xl]

I don't get how people can say these web shows have done any damage to TTRPGs. The people with higher expectations coming in wouldn't have come in without these shows in the 1st place. So even if on the highest end imaginable... let's say 75% of the new players coming in have that mindset the other 25% dwarf the preexisting playerbase in size. TTRPGs are individually controlled games. Meaning you can just choose to play with that new 25% and the other 75% won't effect you at all.

[@commandercaptain4664]

Gonna need you to name names here, cuz it sounds like you're including The Gamers as a bad influence, which is just holistically wrong.

[@KuroiHoshiV]

@@CC-of5xl they're talking about the Mercer effect and the budget these shows have. For old players these things have been "damaging" the community, also the feud they had with Manganiello making his PC "canon in Lore" saying it's disrespectful towards Gygax. Imo that's just dumb, and people with unusually high expectations should have a reality check, the same as the "old fans", things change and so do players and playstyle they all need to learn how to adapt.

[@CC-of5xl]

@@KuroiHoshiV well old players are dumb. It shouldn't matter how other people play the game. You can play it any way you want.

[@Curathol]

The fascinating thing to me is that there already are a few shows/movies were I thought for a second "this feels more like a party of friends playing D&D than a person writing down a script". And I always meant it as praise for great banter/character dynamics. So I'm quite invested purely on this idea that I might see a more collaborative way of putting a show together ...

[@evillaughinthebackground5732]

Guardians of the Galaxy is a D&D party, and no one will change my mind

[@sayerglasgow115]

@@evillaughinthebackground5732 I have long thought that rocket stealing the batteries and getting the entire party almost killed over nothing was a serious "It's what my character would do!" Move.

[@Chaotenfreak]

Now i am interested ;) which shows/movies come to your mind?

[@Curathol]

@@Chaotenfreak My prime example is The Dragon Prince. Espacially the twins went through every single motion of "That's just a D&D-character having the time of their life." Movie-wise I absolutely agree on Guardians of the Galaxy.

[@OscatJ]

Star Wars Rogue One felt so much like a TTRPG to me

[@lary6420]

We're at another pivotal point for DnD as a whole. I feel that not only will there be an influx of people picking up the game, but also viewership of DnD livestreams will rise in places like Twitch and KZbin

[@CC-of5xl]

I honestly don't think that will happen. Other than maybe CR gaining more viewers. If DnD was in the title of the show it might but for the average viewer they won't even know it's a DnD property.

[@lary6420]

@@CC-of5xl if people are curious enough, they'll do their research which will lead them to D&D and if they watch Critical Role, eventually they'll come across other D&D streams. It won't be sudden, but there will be another surge in D&D interest again

[@CC-of5xl]

@@lary6420 I have too be honest. CR on twitch is far more pivotal for DnD and DnD streams than their animated show will be. It already has more weekly viewers than most TV shows.

[@Drekromancer]

@@CC-of5xl Y'know, that's a fair take

[@lary6420]

@@CC-of5xl this is true, and I don't discount that fact. I'm just hopeful this continues that surge in popularity to the point that ripples far into thr future. Maybe help influence Wizards to more improvements in the game to keep thise new folks that might wanna pick it up. It's been quite a series of events caused by CR streaming and hopefully this continues in a positive way

[@eros5420]

Crowd funding is awesome because big corporate is completely disconnected from what the general populace wants. Also you know a show like this will be a success because it already is by its funding :)

[@SirPratine]

I'm so hyped for the legends of vox machina!!! Only 4 days left!!

[@PlayYourRole]

I WILL be watching it as soon as it premiers!

[@liamcarey8726]

3 DAYS NOW!!!

[@bradypermenter8761]

Glad to see someone else say this. I’m only a casual fan of crit role and I’ve never seen an episode of the first campaign. But I’m so hype for this show because if it’s a massive success (which it almost certainly will be) it’s going to send some massive waves through the entertainment industry

[@LoneWolf-qs7lr]

hi. ive also been following critrole since campaign 1. im totally thrilled to see this in anime format. no matter what happens, i trust the cast to fight tooth and nail to keep the story as close to the original as possible. btw. thanks for this channel. ive been using some of your vids as basis for my characters. helped put character into my simple cleric. you also helped me make a relatively complex rogue thats easy to roleplay, layered enough for campaign, but not too much for the players to be confused about. just wanna say, thanks

[@PlayYourRole]

It feels insincere to respond to a thanks with 'thanks' but truthfully, these comments and that kind of encouragement are incredible for me. Thank you very much for taking the time to let me know my videos helped

[@ethanpoints8735]

The show is GOOOD!!!!

[@henryohenry1504]

I don't mind vox machina, BUT I LOVE The Mighty Nein. If they did another fundraiser for them I'd be ALL over it!!!

[@SubKoopa]

It's pretty likely they'll do a Mighty Nein show after Vox Machina without the need for a fundraiser

[@Drekromancer]

@@SubKoopa True. But I want to give them my money. Say what you will about VM - I think the range of archetypes is slightly generic. Well executed, but not too different from some things we've seen before. On the other hand though... The Mighty Nein? Holy shit. I've never seen ANYONE like Caleb. Nott and Beau are also very unique - and ultimately, I feel like there's not a single character in the Nein that feels expected. Jester seems like a manic pixie dreamgirl, but she's actually got a lot of depth in her relationships with her parents and the Traveler. Yasha seems like a generic tortured barbarian queen, but she's got her angelic destiny and her whole history with her tribe and Obann. Even the arguably most generic character, Fjord (Warlock turned Paladin) has a ton of layers to make him way more interesting (Vandren, Avantika, the power struggle with Uk'otoa, his interpersonal journey to finding The Wildmother, his struggle to give up his powers & reforge the Star Razor). In short: This show is going to stir things up. But I think a Mighty Nein show would offer some things that are totally unlike ANYTHING most people have seen before. And that excites me to no end. 😁

[@WobblezTheWeird]

I would riot for a MN animated show

[@nuru666]

@@WobblezTheWeird Pack a lunch, I'm comin with you and we're not stopping until we get it.

[@torababble3046]

THERE WAS A KICKSTARTER AND I MISSED IT?! At least I heard of the show before release date so I can watch it on Day 1. So excited for Vox Machina!

[@sadlobster1]

The original Kickstarter started on March 4th of 2019 and was asking for an endgoal of 750,000 to help finance the creation of a half-hour special. In less than an hour...a SINGLE HOUR, the donations added up to 1 million and it still kept going up! On April 19th of that year, when the Kickstarter finally closed; the end goal added up to 11.3 million big ones!

[@PlayYourRole]

I'm absolutely thrilled to see it!

[@sadlobster1]

@@PlayYourRole Of the sneak peek clips I've seen from the show, The Door was my favorite one; mostly because of how it's so relatable for us D&D players

[@EilonwyG]

I feel like this is not just the next step in storytelling, but also in the continued legitimacy of adult animation. I've been watching and waiting every step of the way, and I just know it's gonna be amazing. I'll be watching it when it premiers, hugging my stuffed Trinket.

[@Drekromancer]

Well said. I'm always happy to see adult animation advance. There's just so much potential to the medium, and now people are finally seeing that.

[@RecklessFables]

The Dragonlance novels, especially the first one, were basically the game notes from a campaign they were playing. This anime is going to be more sophisticated in that because they chose to tell a story that was never improv'd or played. So while it is inspired by the campaign and the characters come from the campaign, it still needs to be tightly written in order to be successful.

[@rantdmc]

firstly, this is a great thought-provoking video, and that can only be a good thing. Secondly, you are clearly not JUST a CR channel, but an overall DnD channel. I suppose there are people out there who are upset, because right now, the DnD community's main topic of conversation is probably "what is TLOVM going to be like?" and that is the consequence of both the lovers and haters of CR. i love it, but a lot of DnD players my age (i'm 53) have played DnD for a long time and are angry that the mostly combat-oriented game they love to play where you kick in a door and kick monster butt is becoming less and less of the norm, especially on streamed games like CR, which inevitably then have a knock-on effect on how DnD is played across the community. Thirdly, most long-term players in my experience see DnD as their nerdy hobby, and hate the idea of it going mainstream. i'm not like that. i can't wait for DnD to go mainstream and become a way in which people tell their stories through their characters in whatever way they want, whether it's the traditional heroic VM way of CR C1, or the personal journey MN way of C2. Fourthly, i would also say that in the UK, the "Matt Mercer effect" hasn't become a thing yet, if it ever does. i think there are very few players and DM's who are afraid to play or DM because they are worried that other would-be players will attack them because their home game is not like CR. let's be realistic, most of our games are not highly produced extravaganzas like C3 in the Tavern of Tales. and that's one of the great things about DnD, in that we can all have silly low-key home games and also appreciate professional actors playing their character roles to a high level on a DnD stream, so that we can watch it aspirationally, noticing what streamed games like CR do on a high (and occasionally not so high) level and learn from it. Fifthly, I believe that the first two episodes of TLOVM season 1 will be based on a pre-stream VM adventure (it sounds like they have got David Tennant to play the villain of this prelude adventure. I know!!!) and then from episode 3 the rest of the season is the Briarwood Arc which is almost peak-VM, so should be a stunning watch. I just hope that they tie in the improvisational fundamentals of the stream with the inevitable streamlining of a scripted show with less than 30 minute episodes. the reviews so far have been stellar, i can't wait!!! for me, TLOVM going nova can only be a good thing for DnD as a whole

[@dgargoyle]

I hope your predictions come out. I'm working on implementing dnd in coaching or perhaps even therapie treatments. (Tips on research or the like are welcome.) The more dnd is accepted as something of influance on peoples lives the more chance it will be accepted as a viable treatment option. Still long way to go btw.

[@SieNoel]

excellent breakdown thanks for putting words to what we've all felt and for including that clip in the middle that made me cry

[@northwestnerd4950]

The hype is huge. IGN already posted a 9/10 review for the first episode. You’re right, this is going to be absolutely groundbreaking, one way or another.

[@snuckytoes8427]

On the community aspect of the show. There is literally a tavern keeper featured that was built by community polls! They are even in one of the teasers!

[@vincent-antoinesoucy1872]

Good luck with your patreon! I don't use the platform but if you ever do a special project I'd probably pitch a few dollars :)

[@PlayYourRole]

Thank you! I appreciate the support either way!

[@feylights166]

I hope we see the whole VM storyline play out. Imagine the last arc of C1 being animated would be...literally omg(s).

[@Drekromancer]

Imagine what this level of writing, animation, and production could do for the Counterspell.

[@nuru666]

@@Drekromancer Love how you phrased that.. "The Counterspell"

[@323starlight]

I don't know a lot of DnD shows but what about Harmonquest? That show was pretty.... decent. Art style left a lot to be desired. Edit: Okay you do know about HarmonQuest.

[@PlayYourRole]

Haha yes I do! HarmonQuest never quite got the mainstream appeal this show will most likely get, which is why while I would like to compare them I don't think I can here. Thanks for keeping me honest!

[@BaneRain]

I think harmonquest had a good tone.

[@WeaselSpanzor]

@@BaneRain HarmonQuest is a really fun show but it's definitely more like DnDLite.

[@felixrivera895]

Lol when you open youturb and a video says "posted 8 seconds ago"

[@PlayYourRole]

Yo early gang

[@peg7439]

im a newer fan (started watching c2 in early 2020, got distracted, came back just a few months ago to continue) so ive already poured my heart and soul into trying to finish c2 and never got into c1, so i am VERY excited for this show to bring life to something i know i probably will not watch in livestream form. however i also really hope, and i know it probably wont happen LMAO, but i REALLY hope c2 gets a show at some point in the future because my god itd be amazing as well

[@nuru666]

As an old critter, I say you should give c1 a shot, it's amazing. First few episodes the audio is jenky as hell, sure, but the show really comes into its own very quickly

[@castingincommon1589]

So stoked for Vox Machina!

[@PlayYourRole]

So am I!!!

[@ghostblade5954]

I'm happy because if this does well enough, they'll animate campaign 2

[@PlayYourRole]

Man I NEED Campaign 2 animated. I would love to see that.

[@TehSpessPiret]

They already are, ya dingus. That was the whole point of partnering up with Amazon

[@ghostblade5954]

@@TehSpessPiret now I'm just happy I'm not the only one who unironically says dingus

[@manchld]

Reviewers who have seen this show early have given great reviews. I know I have high expectations, but I think they will be met.

[@TheClericCorner]

Already have the watch party planned with my group 😁

[@PlayYourRole]

Yo I'm working on getting one set up with some of mine!

[@hannasophia18]

Me too! And it comes out the day before my birthday, so double fun. I'm so excited!!

[@TheClericCorner]

@@hannasophia18 happy birthday! 😁

[@hannasophia18]

@@TheClericCorner Thanks!

[@sadlobster1]

I am furiously psyched for the premiere...unfortunately, I don't have a Prime account to watch it on. So. I'm hoping somebody will post it here on KZbin; even if it's in reaction format

[@PlayYourRole]

I think CR is streaming it on premier? I could be wrong but you might be able to watch it on their stream!

[@danielcunningham4339]

Not that it's a fantastic idea but have ya done a free trial yet

[@sadlobster1]

@@danielcunningham4339 My mother actually has Prime on her Kindle...but the screen is too small to watch it on

[@Jabberwokee]

Show will do well - Show will be popular - Show may even get multiple season Show WILL NOT spawn any other likeminded shows (other than those directly created/inspired by Critical Role), I absolutely guarantee it Lightning does not strike twice in this instance, you can mark my words, and no other D&D or tabletop home-game/players have the name recognition and fan-base to support it outside of Critical Role This will be great, but it WILL be a singular entity, an enjoyable aberration in the TV landscape that will be a closed ecosystem

[@Drekromancer]

I would argue that's only true because only Critical Role has reached this level of renown. If this format takes hold of the media consciousness enough, then some of the other D&D live play shows might be able to make it to the same ballpark as CR. Because think about it: CR is the trailblazer. Nobody has ever done this before. But now that there's precedent - extremely profitable precedent - there's no reason others couldn't follow the path they laid out. So I think CR will remain the only live play D&D show with the power to do this kind of thing - for now. But mark my words: one day, there will be another. We might be in for a new media renaissance. 😌

[@ironmaidenman77]

I'd be happy just getting their other campaigns animated one day. I loved the Mighty Nein, and I'm really enjoying their new campaign so far..

[@looneypersoney]

This show probably will make a new big wave of new player

[@majorzipf8947]

Love this! Such a great take. Question: I thought the show was going to start before the streamed show but then go into the main campaign after the first three episodes?

[@SirZelean]

Not sure it's after the first 3, but it will indeed go into some of the streamed campaign

[@hhylobates4098]

First *two* episodes will be a story set pre-stream, the rest starts to follow the main campaign from about episode 24

[@jamiesunshine8836]

No...the first TWO episodes were before streaming. The rest is the Briarwood Arch for season 1, which was streamed. Obviously stuff had to be adjusted because....Tiberius is NOT appearing in the show, for....very obvious reasons. (btw....it's amazing, it just premiered on the 25th for the backers -chef kiss-)

[@solarcatt]

This was such an awesome and heartfelt video. Nice to meet ya and your channel!

[@piece1309]

Full feature movie within 5 years

[@tigerfanfrv]

the show is starting with the Biarwood arc which is the second arc of the stream

[@davidty2006]

No mercy Percy.

[@rawgage7]

This is PERFECTLY WELL SAID! I fully support everything recognized here and love the transparency of this community. God bless and Semper Fi! 🤘😎

[@Chaotic_Enigma]

Never heard of Critical Role or Vox Machina until 2 days ago. I haven't played D&D in years. Scrolling thru Prime and took a chance because it was animation, now I'm hooked. Great series so far, they're pulling on my beads of love 🤣

[@SSJ_Derp]

I’m more in line with the target audience (plays D&D, watches CR, knows “the lore”) but my wife has never played D&D, never seen CR, and has no idea who any of these people or characters are. We watched the first 3 episodes and at the end she turned to me and said “when’s the next episode coming out?” I think that’s a really important point that I haven’t seen/heard much discussion about. The fact that someone with no context can jump in and enjoy it means they were focused on making a good show first and foremost and not something that only caters to the die-hard fans.

[@Chaotic_Enigma]

@@SSJ_Derp I agree. I know of some of the actors previous works but yea it's definitely something a non D&D player could enjoy for sure. For me, learning about how this all came about with everyone involved, and after watching the 1st episode I think it's even cooler

[@MegaPokefan97]

Goblin Slayer is also a DND show (if Priestess' reference to spell slots, the dice rolls shown on screen, and Goblin Slayer himself calling BS on the god's die rolls are any indication), although the campaign probably wasn't streamed

[@BrawnyStream]

That stream would have been banned by twitch faster than you could say “goblin r*pe”

[@PlayYourRole]

I think the largest difference is while there have been shows where the source material was a DND campaign (heck, even Adventure Time was something like that), this is the first show where it's not based on a DND game. They are making their game into a show, and only making some minor changes to make it have narrative cohesion. And that excites me!

[@QueenAleenaFan]

>Critical Role could change everything It already changed everything (sometimes for better, sometimes for worse: see people who are afraid to DM or play because they're afraid they can't be as good as the professional actors of Critical Role). Is this like that old game where you had to put all of the pegs into the holes (they were all different shapes, I think there were 25 of them) before the board would pop up and you'd lose? What configuration will new Critical Role shuffle us to?

[@Valeruni]

Im excited to see how the animated show does! This may be helpful for more adult themed animated shows 🤩🙏💕

[@marc_tha_420_pyro]

It's not all pre-stream. Matter of fact, by episode 3 we have already seen the Briarwoods.

[@lejandario7779]

The future's looking bright

[@PlayYourRole]

And ain't that a nice feeling?

[@EchoAshbell]

I spent the first two episodes on the verge of tears over this show I helped make as well as laughing my ass off at this greatness

[@bronzyswordgaming3799]

first time watching one of your videos, i Love the energy you give off. just leaves a great feeling at the end of the video.

[@austinstowe8111]

While it was on I genuinely enjoyed how harmonquest was set up. With the animated show inter cut with the guest at the table. Super hype for vox machina

[@hillarysmith9409]

Amazon doesn't measure a show's success/value by how many times it's viewed in the first week. They measure by subscription/first watch ratio. They value shows with a higher number of viewers who watch the show first, immediately after subscribing to Prime. Problem with this metric for CR is that most CR fans already have a Prime membership for the Twitch sub to watch CR. So VM may (hopefully) get a significant number of views, but unless those views are from a lot of people who purchased a Prime membership to watch, it's not going to do what you want it to with Amazon.

[@isaiahwelch8066]

I look at LoVM and CR like the music scene is today. I listen to metal, so I'm a bit biased about that. However, the internet has been such a huge gamechanger for unknown bands. Bands like Unleash the Archers, Bloodywood, Sabaton, Amaranthe, even Nightwish -- all of these non-American bands are now known by people like me, because without the internet, I would never have found them, let alone knew they exist. The point is, "Mercer Effect" aside, D&D has become mainstream -- and shows like TLoVM will make D&D more mainstream than it already is, because of the internet. And companies, save for corporate music management, are paying attention. I have to wonder how foolish the companies CR pitched TLoVM to that said 'no,' only to have Amazon pick them up, and make a metric ton of money in the process. Even Best Buy, Target, and Wal-Mart are now carrying CR merch -- so the money is there. People will spend it, and these companies that pay attention will make a killing, IMO. At the same time, content creators also win, because something like TLoVM proves anything is possible -- and everybody wins, which is what capitalism and the free market are all about. What the American Dream was originally about. And CR proves that if you're willing to work hard and do what you love, there's no limit to what you can do, other than the limits you place upon yourself. And everybody can use that kind of encouragement and positive thinking, positive energy.

[@benjoe1993]

Small cotrection: there's no homegame content in it I think. They said the first episode will be a new story playin between the home game and the live campaign. And from the second episode it'll be about the Briarwood arc which is the second arc of the first live campaign. Edit: there may be homegame content now that I think about General Krieg being a character in it...

[@Beeimus]

I get to see it tomorrow! I’m stoked!!!

[@FulcanMal]

Only the first two episodes are pre-stream events. After that it covers events that were streamed.

[@ArkansanDragon]

Concerning your comment about Critical Role being a "one of a kind show" due to the audience interaction, what about the Rocky Horror Picture show? A lot of people know that as a really weird movie, but according to my dad, it was originally a live stage improv show where audience comments and jokes influenced the show as they were watching it. That's why the movie is so weird, because you're missing the other half of the show by not having the audience interactions.

[@Goomyx1492]

I think when he mentioned audience interaction, I think he meant more so in the creation of the show itself. Like having a fan-made character included in the show.

[@holyordersol2668]

Record of Lodoss War and Chaos Dragon were also animated shows based on TTRPGs. The former was quite popular in the 90s, from my memory.

[@tomsawyerpiper9412]

I like CR, it’s a good show, but that’s what it is. A show. It’s not D&D, it’s a four hour long episode of a fantasy drama that uses the mechanics of 5E D&D to assist in telling the story. Campaign 1 was D&D, but that’s it. The rest of it is a product, not a story.

[@HutchTheWolf]

I’m still mad at myself for not getting the tier with the Trinket plush.

[@Wonderwall627]

Im still waiting to connect with the story and characters of S3 like I did with S1 and S2.

[@ReigninMud]

Same… C1 is my absolute favourite. I’ve rewatched it twice. And I watched C3 on stream every week until about episode 8 and haven’t gotten around to watching more, but I don’t feel massively compelled to either

[@Wonderwall627]

The latest episode 11 has been the best so far. Lots of fun character background reveals

[@ReigninMud]

@@Wonderwall627 cool! I mean, I absolutely will catch up again soon. But, just don’t feel any particular rush. At the minute though, just waiting for my son to go to bed so I can sit down and watch TLoVM!!!!!!!

[@Nargon46]

The show is so great, really gives me hope for the future of entertainment

[@Kosukie]

I think Criticalrole is going be like Iron Man and Spiderman. Both films brought superheroes to the screens again, and I think this is D&D's chance to shine.

[@mattevans4377]

I'm still annoyed it isn't releasing on a Thursday. Massive missed opportunity.

[@PlayYourRole]

Oh man, you're so right! I guess that would interfere with their stream though wouldn't it?

[@SilentSooYun]

Because they're streaming the game on Thursdays? I mean why set yourself up to compete with yourself :)

[@steeldrago73]

There are like 7 Mythica movies which are fan made D&D things and they are great.

[@jimatulkerriganus4316]

I find it so funny and lovely how you call us beautiful bastards all the time!! Take my updoot!

[@PlayYourRole]

Well I mean you are all Beautiful Bastards so it's hard not to!

[@Shattered_Entertainment]

I think it will be another hit for Amazon like Invincible.

[@PlayYourRole]

Absolutely my hope!

[@LocalMaple]

I hope this does well enough for Legends of Mighty Nein.

[@ComputerWizard]

URealms Live may no longer be around but I still thought about it when I saw this video. Feelsgoodman.

[@chrispboi2125]

What's the clip at 4:40 from? I'm just under halfway through Campaign 1, so no spoilers please. Just curious if it's the end of Campaign 2 or something else

[@PlayYourRole]

That is immediately after ending Campaign 2. It's the moment of them all coming to terms that the story was over (for now)

[@jasdanvm3845]

Well, this is Not the first time a show is born from a DnD improvised campaign, there's an Anime which whole script basically came from one. I think there even are characters coming out of nowhere to replace dead P.C.'s, and it was a failure! At least now, people know and are engaged with the source material, moreover, its having slight changes to make the story more cohesive. I think it has good chances of being successful, specially with the voice actors being deeply involved with the characters. My only concern is that the success of this might teach that DnD can be adapted to a conventional story, you just need the right campaign and cast, which is true, but I would love to see things where we see the players as much as their characters, or some behind the scenes of the game, idk. (I can't find the name of the Anime, if I try to Google it, all I find are lists of anime a DnD fan might like.)

[@percussiveseer415]

Im curious to see what impact itll have around the world too, in other media, in 10 years from now Will it allow for more D&D content made by other people, in other languages, to shine too?

[@theflyingtoaster7414]

I had fun reading the recaps of Critical Role Campaign 2. I have very little notions of Campaign 1. My relationship with Amazon borders on flaming trash heap, so I'm pretty sure I'll just be coming here for recaps or whatever you'd like to gush about when you see it.

[@PlayYourRole]

The truth is, no one hates Amazon more than me (I've got personal beef haha). But, I am willing to swallow my pride to support CR on this one. Maybe that's a little naive but, eh. Whatcha' gonna do?

[@VegaNorth]

The first arc happened so QUICKLY! I was hoping there was an episode devoted to Kraghammer, but I totally get why it might not be memorable. (But I was hoping for reference to Orcus).

[@abigailthompson838]

I’m sure it will be loved within the D&D community but I’m honestly really nervous about how others will see it. Society loves fantasy, but Critical Role is WAY goofier than Game of Thrones and people are even less likely to take animation seriously. I really want this to work out but that first episode needs to be STRONG for outsiders to get hooked

[@markbishop675]

play your role, is such a good tag line

[@chadb4838]

I watched it and outside of the dnd related quips and the characters we love being there. For people who have no knowledge of the crew or what dnd is. The animation is a super good watch and you can jump right in with no knowledge. My friend I watch anime with a lot instantly fell in love and he didn’t know what dnd is until I explained it. SPOILERS BELOW SO YOUVE BEEN WARNED………. The way they define the destructive power of the dragon and how helpless it would leave anyone in its wake is just one example of beautiful writing. The crew wasn’t shown as a larger than life and invincible bunch. They seemed mortal and yet it only added to the power of the story and drew you in more.

[@lanteanboy]

you made one tiny mistake early on, you said it was from their home game and not from when they started streaming. And while it seems like it might start before they started streaming, pretty sure the Briarwood arc was a streamed arc.

[@OscatJ]

It is not going to change the landscape of serialised media. Even if it is the best show ever made, it will not change how the industry works. D&D is still going to be hard to write well into TV/movies. It will potentially drive some more people to Critical Role and D&D in general (depending on how much traction the show gets outside of the CR/D&D space, I have not seen it advertised anywhere other than on Critical Role and D&D is well within my targeted advertising space). We are not going to start seeing copycat shows that have thousands of hours that have gone into them before preproduction even starts, you can't have every show have years of community engagement go into developing your characters, it just isn't feasible to do that unless you are specifically adapting existing things (like CR). What I am hoping for is that the show will be really good and allow them to get the green light for future seasons.

[@leerutland2499]

It's actually....good.

[@ikill4profit223]

I agree it is good. But the episodes feel rushed. I would have preferred a slow build up to the briarwood arc.

[@troperhghar9898]

Let me know when the campign 2 mighty nein show comes out

[@demonic_myst4503]

This going be great, i didbt carey on watching their first canpaign because i felt more confused statting in the middle im nit good with starting half way it feals off to me Seing the early stages will help

[@ryanratchford2530]

The show gets the charactrs so right! I'm happy

[@voidmystic00]

Duuuuude! We should have a watch party on Discord for all the Patreon supporters!!!

[@HarmonicHewell]

dungeons and dragons is about to go mainstream folks, buckle your seatbelts!

[@Lngbrdninjamasta]

I, for one, am so excited

[@GrayBeardDamonsen]

Given they had to remove the Dragonborn character from the plot, I am not surprised they had to some what rework things.

[@koljaleffek7290]

i am really curious if tiberius stormwind will be mentioned.

[@mediastudies2023]

Is tiberius gonna be in the show?

[@davidty2006]

Highly doubt it if so probs a non-speaking role in the background.

[@morsdraconis]

It is 100% going to change things, dnd most of all. Fully expect DnD 6.0, whenever we do get it, will be HIGHLY influenced by the fact that Critical Role and the ridiculously huge amount of other streamed games that have been happening. DnD, rules as written, isn't great for streaming. Those rules will 1000% be changing towards having streaming games in mind when played.

[@SirZelean]

While I do think what you are saying makes complete sense, I wonder if it will happen. I mean, DND 5.5 has already been announced. It's too soon to think about 6.0. Maybe then makes these changes in 5.5 itself, but I wonder if they will be so dramatic since it isn't a fully new edition

[@Beeontree]

This is so exciting

[@MastertheGamerpg]

I feel like it would have been better for them to take a lesser deal with Netflix than choosing Amazon. Although I’m just assuming Netflix is in a lot more homes than the Amazon streaming service.

[@ssfbob456]

You gonna watch the backer premier tomorrow?

[@nyankers]

"There has never been a show based on [...]" Actually this is very untrue. A lot of successful games and shows have been based on people's personal D&D campaigns. In fact, D&D almost as a whole is based on its creator's D&D sessions, which is why early systems had such vague and wonky rules - they were largely created through play rather than designed. It's actually more popular in Japan, where it's not too uncommon to publish and serialize people's tabletop games, and eventually make something more of them. An early example was Record of Lodoss War. I think western examples of this idea are more common as video games rather than TV or movies, which I blame solely on how stifled and elitist our supposedly creative movie/tv culture is in these regards, often blatantly looking down on anything that isn't produced by them, no matter how successful it is. Imagine needing to kickstart something like this, beyond to prove how successful it could be!

[@natanoj16]

I think you missed something... It isn't their home-game that will be made for the first season. It is a new story that happens between the home-game and session 1. Otherwise. Spot on video! :D

[@AbelMcTalisker]

What they actually do is run a new (based on the home game) story for the first two episodes, skip over the entire Kraghammer/Underdark plot then jump straight into the Brierwood/Whitstone arc for the rest of the season. One possible reason for this may be due to the presence of a certain problematic character in these early episodes. Strictly speaking, he still should be around in the fight sequence in episode three as the character was very much involved in the original version of it. The player in question left Critical Role just afterward though and wasn`t involved subsequently.

[@N3kr0n15]

3 episodes are up as of the time of this comment. Great show

[@dirtydeeds4free553]

The expanse was a 'dnd' game as was multiple of Brandon Sandersons series, buuuuuut, it was never marketed as such. Prime also has wheel of time series coming out so... I think 2022 is gonna be a good year for nerd Media. My childhood hobbies are turning into watchable content and I'm excited.

[@Fantazysz]

Just finished the show it’s awesome I enjoyed it

[@ancientdarkmagic1409]

Dnd 5E popularity is thanks to influential shows like Critical Role. And is something that I am grateful for. Just as long we don't make it a mainstream thing and think that DND is just CR than we have nothing to fear. But I am happy that the show is coming out.

[@leaf_of_the_wind]

Can confirm, the show is amazing

[@meander112]

Engagement for the engagement god!

[@Lady_in_Yearning]

Lost opportunity here: You could've said "The Legend of the History of the Legend of Vox Machina"

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

I hope the script is ok... that's my only worry. but very much looking forward to this!!

[@haydenstewart1450]

Love your thoughts on this man! Anyone else hosting a Watch Party??

[@ethanpoints8735]

Its Amazing!