In march of 2019 a niche live-stream show called Critical Role set the record for highest amount raised on kickstarter in the arts category with an astonishing 11.3 million dollars (Whitten, 2019). I donated to that kickstarter, I watched as the cast of the show and their production team were moved to tears by the show of support from their community. Critical Role is what’s called an “actual play show”- a recording of people playing a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG), in this case primarily Dungeons & Dragons. It wasn’t the first show of its kind, but the devotion of it’s fanbase, nicknamed “Critters” has made it famous (Lasley, 2021).

From basement dwellers to models of inclusivity

D&D is the ultimate nerd game, stereotypically played by young white men. In her article on D&D’s recent evolution Emma French (French, 2023) recounts several anecdotal experiences of D&D’s insular nature in the early years. The game requires a large time commitment, and can be intimidating you don’t know someone who plays. Sexist and racist content within the games also turned off interested players (Viteri, 2021)

That’s all changed now; I’m not straight or a man, and while I’m definitely pretty nerdy i’m more of a theatre-nerd than the build-your-own-computer type, but I’m completely at home at a TTRPG meetup.

I talked to my friend Mae about the changes she’s seen in the D&D world since she started playing back in the 70s. She’s seen a dramatic change in the diversity and play styles among the TTRPG community.

Vulnerability is Strength

Mae and I were both inspired by the cast of Critical Role‘s commitment to their role-playing, particularly their willingness to be emotionally vulnerable with the other players both in and out of character. The game can delve into dark and deeply personal areas, which the cast navigate with honesty and mutual trust. Mae highlighted the atmosphere of safety that game master Matthew Mercer prioritizes during Critical Role‘s game play.

For Mae and me these friendships inspired us to seek out the same kind of play in our own lives. Our fortnightly D&D sessions are a source of supportive friendships and emotional release.

Why Critical Role?

Joe Lasley (2021) conducted a research study on the experience of 7 Critical Role fans or “Critters” who felt the show had a profound positive impact on their lives. The deeply personal connection Critters have to the show is unusually strong (Lasley, 2021). I’ve experienced it myself, watching fan videos and testimonials sent in to the cast. In his study Lasley (2021) identifies three features of Critical Role that are key to its impact on fans: storytelling, role-playing, and parasocial interaction.

French (2023), cites the importance of accessibility in Critical Role’s success. The show is available without charge, is released uncut, and provides additional play guides. These tactics invite a more diverse audience to participate in telling stories in a way that is safe, accessible, and meaningful.

Lasley (2021) emphasizes the parasocial relationships that fans form with cast members, and highlights storytelling primarily as a pathway through which strong bonds form. I would agree that relationship models of the cast are important, but I think it’s the inspiration to tell stories with friends that is most transformative.

The downsides to success

The downside of Critical Role and other Dungeons & Dragons actual play shows expanding the audience for Dungeons and Dragons is the inevitable attempts to profit off of that success. Wizards of the Coast parent company Hasbro caused an outrage last year when they tried to change their games’ license to increase their ability to profit off of third parties (Whitten, 2023). Critical Role already had a relationship with Wizards of the Coast, placing the Critical Role team in an awkward position in dealing with the communities’ increasing lack of trust in the company.

The parasocial relationships that are central to the shows success also mean that controversial actions the company makes are sometimes seen by fans as personal betrayals. The women on the Critical Role cast face particular criticism from a sections of the TTRPG community who still hold on to sexist traditions. The cast also face the difficult task of being “role models” for the TTRPG community, making it problematic that the cast isn’t actually all that diverse. Critical Role has recently focused on promoting other TTRPG content creators and improvisational storytellers, making it clear that the success of Critical Role shouldn’t be limited to the cast.

Storytelling makes us human

Despite its imperfections, the show (and the shows it inspired) has had positive impacts on the TTRPG community. Many of the members of TTRPG groups I’ve played in haven’t seen the show, but they treasure the changes in the community and storytelling it inspired. Critical Role showed people that storytelling wasn’t something you needed special expertise to do. People watched and they said “I can do that” …and then they did.

Like my friend Mae says, “if they’re laughing you must be doing something right”.

Works Cited