There have been several hints that the minds behind Critical Role want to produce video games as well as series. A studio has now been found for the first one.
Critical Role is a mass phenomenon. What started as a nerdy little stream in which voice actors play DnD has become much more. In addition to other streams, there are live shows that fill entire sports arenas, as well as board games, merchandise, and even a successful animated series on Amazon.
What’s missing from the creative team’s portfolio? A video game! And those responsible are showing great interest in making one. After all, many of their cast members have also become famous for their roles in video games. Matt Mercer, for example, as Leon S. Kennedy from Resident Evil, and Ashley Johnson as Ellie from The Last of Us.
How Variety in an interview with CEO Travis Willingham, Critical Role is now taking concrete steps. The company has found a development studio to produce its first video game.
First superheroes, then fantasy heroes
In the interview, Willingham reveals the development studio AdHoc as their long-term partner. Like Critical Role, the studio is based in Los Angeles, but that’s not the only reason why the two companies are a good fit.
The independent studio consists of many former developers from Telltale and Ubisoft. Their Telltale roots are particularly evident in their first project. The team is currently working on the superhero adventure Dispatch, which will be released in 2025. You can watch a trailer here:
Dispatch will be a narrative adventure with choices to make. The content is an amusing mix of superhero and office comedy. It was the animations and the stylish cartoon look that particularly impressed Willingham about the studio.
I completely freaked out! The animations were amazing. It looked so much like an animated series.
Some members of Critical Role are already voicing roles in Dispatch. Matt Mercer, Laura Bailey, and Travis Willingham himself will be playing several characters.
After Dispatch, the team will then focus on a game set in the world of Critical Role.
It’s tempting to think that a role-playing group would also try to publish a role-playing game. Especially now that they’ve launched their own DnD competitor, Daggerheart.
However, the first Critical Role game seems to be heading more in the direction of Dispatch. It will be a story-driven game with choices and a cool cartoon look that is certainly inspired by the Amazon series. Players will encounter familiar characters from various Critical Role campaigns. However, it is still too early to get a clear picture.
In any case, the team doesn’t want to overreach with their first game.
Incidentally, Critical Role’s second animated series, Mighty Nein, is set to launch on Amazon Prime later this year. The first trailer is expected at San Diego Comic-Con.