Yes. Today I am going to talk about Critical Role.
For the one or two people out there that don't know, Critical Role is a Web-based show that covers a group of professional voice actors and TV actors as they play D&D. The first season they played Pathfinder and now they play D&D 5th edition.
You can find them on the web here: https://critrole.com/
They have a HUGE fan base as evidenced by their ridiculously successful Kickstarter ($11.3 Million), 135k+ unique views on YouTube and Twitch and the winner of two Webby Awards.
Both of my sons watch it and nearly everyone in their various game groups do as well.
I know that many gamers around my age don't like it and have a lot of negative things to say about it. To that I say.
Boo Fucking Hoo.
Obviously, they are not hurting for your lack of interest and understanding. And for all the talk of how "that's not how D&D is supposed to be played" well no one died and made you the fucking Gestapo of D&D. Even back in the day no two groups in my tiny ass, mid-west, deeply Christian town played it the same way and I know players today won't and don't give two shits about what a bunch old fuck Grognards have to say either.
Some people complain about the so-called "Mercer Effect" after Matt Mercer the DM for the group. You know what Mercer Effect I see? People coming to me and saying "Hey my kids listen/watch Critical Role and now they want to play D&D. What do I need to get them?"
That's the Mercer Effect. Sorry, he has done more for the game than any 100 of us old fucks have done. Actually no. I am not sorry. I am glad Matt is out there doing his thing and having a blast.
And obviously laughing all the way to the bank too.
Of course Critical Role "isn't how it's supposed to be played." The players are all getting along with each other and the DM. It's completely unrealistic. It is how the game could be played, if everyone at the table was getting paid to play.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy the show a lot and also Geek and Sundry's LA by Night--Vampire the Masquerade show.
Almost forgot Kollok 1991 on HyperRPG. Fun stuff and Shubble is so cute.
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