Cartoons, comic books, video games and now tabletop games. The team at Critical Role Productions, the entertainment company that grew out of the web series \u201cCritical Role,\u201d featuring voice actors playing Dungeons & Dragons, continues to expand its media footprint with its newest hires \u2014 former Wizards of the Coast game gurus Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford.<\/p>\n
Perkins and Crawford, who led the Dungeons & Dragons design team for decades, have literally helped write the books on the most popular role-playing game in history. Perkins was the creative director for Dungeons & Dragons, overseeing the story direction, while Crawford was the game director, overseeing the rules. Their departure from the game publisher Wizards of the Coast earlier this year had fans wondering what their next move would be. Now the news is out that they will be joining Critical Role\u2019s Darrington Press game division.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are two of the biggest names … that have influenced TTRPGs and the games that we played.\u201d \u2014 Darrington Press CEO Travis Willingham on Perkins and Crawford<\/p>\n
\u201cI was committed to staying with Wizards until after D&D\u2019s 50th anniversary, which gave me lots of time to work on succession planning and exit strategies,\u201d Perkins said. \u201cWhat brought me out of retirement was the chance to work with Jeremy and the brilliant folks at Critical Role on things that have a lasting, positive impact on the world.\u201d \u201cChris and I talked about his retirement plan for years, so his approaching departure was long on my mind. When we sent the new D&D rule books to the printer last year, I felt it was time to explore a new chapter for myself,\u201d Crawford said. \u201cI love the game and its team, but 18 years is a long time. I was ready for a new adventure. The chapter that we\u2019ve now opened feels like coming home \u2014 resuming work with Chris and returning to Southern California.\u201d<\/p>\n
Critical Role CEO and co-founder Travis Willingham, also a voice actor, stressed the importance of landing the game masters and what it could mean for the growth of this side of the Critical Role company. \u201cThey are two of the biggest names that we\u2019re certainly aware of and that have influenced TTRPGs and the games that we played,\u201d said Willingham, using the acronym for tabletop role-playing games.<\/p>\n
That mutual respect and a longtime friendship is what drew Perkins and Crawford to Darrington Press. \u201cCritical Role creates wonderful entertainment that is deeply meaningful to the people who work there and to fans around the world,\u201d Perkins said. \u201cWhat brought me out of retirement was the chance to work with Jeremy and the brilliant folks at Critical Role on things that have a lasting, positive impact on the world.\u201d \u201cChris and I have had the pleasure of working with and befriending members of Critical Role over the last 10 years, and we\u2019ve long admired their work and spirit,\u201d Crawford said. \u201cWhen they approached us about joining them, we happily said yes. It meant we could continue our creative partnership in a company whose mission and people we believe in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond the Monopoly generation, tabletop games have seen a rise in popularity with titles like Settlers of Catan (now just Catan) and others. To continue that rise, Perkins and Crawford believe there have to be more people involved in not only playing, but creating the games. \u201cFirst, we believe there\u2019s strength in diversity,\u201d Perkins and Crawford said in a joint email response to follow-up questions about their plans. \u201cDiverse creators and diverse games help to create an industry that feels more inviting to everyone. The more people we welcome into the proverbial tent, the more powerful the industry becomes.<\/p>\n
So, are there already ideas brewing for Darrington and the duo? \u201cOh, heaven\u2019s yes!,\u201d Perkins said. And that\u2019s about all they\u2019d say about that.<\/p>\n
The hiring of Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford by Critical Role Productions is a significant move for the company and the tabletop gaming industry as a whole. With their years of experience and expertise, they are expected to bring new ideas and energy to the company. As the industry continues to grow, it will be exciting to see what Perkins, Crawford, and the team at Critical Role come up with next.<\/p>\n
Q: Who are Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford?
\nA: Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford are former Wizards of the Coast game gurus who led the Dungeons & Dragons design team for decades.
\nQ: What is Critical Role Productions?
\nA: Critical Role Productions is an entertainment company that grew out of the web series \u201cCritical Role,\u201d featuring voice actors playing Dungeons & Dragons.
\nQ: What is Darrington Press?
\nA: Darrington Press is the game division of Critical Role Productions.
\nQ: Why did Perkins and Crawford join Critical Role?
\nA: Perkins and Crawford joined Critical Role because of the company’s mission and people, and the opportunity to work together on projects that have a lasting, positive impact on the world.
\nQ: What do Perkins and Crawford hope to achieve in the tabletop gaming industry?
\nA: Perkins and Crawford believe in the importance of diversity, introductory experiences, and the joy of play in the tabletop gaming industry. They hope to create an industry that feels more inviting to everyone and continues to grow and thrive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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