Critical Role and AdHoc Studios announced a major collaboration on a few different video game projects, including one set in Exandria.
We inch closer to a reality where you can sit down and play a video game set in the world of Critical Role‘s Exandria. A move that will really bring things full circle for the popular livestreamed game turned media empire. It began with a number of “nerdy-ass voice actors” playing D&D. Now they’re the ones making the games. At least in part. Critical Role announced a collaboration with indie game developers AdHoc Studio on a few different projects, including the upcoming game Dispatch, as well as a game set in Exandria that will be Dispatch-inspired. Here’s what we know.
Critical Role Teams Up With AdHoc Studios – Exandria Video Game in the Works, But First, Dispatch
Much earlier this year, Critical Role teased that it would have an announcement about a video game later. It’s later now, and according to the press release (and accompanying Variety article), it seems that the actual Exandria game is still a few years out. The game is still in the very early stages of co-development—but don’t worry, you can get an idea of what it might be like by looking at AdHoc’s upcoming game, Dispatch, which Critical Role will also be involved with.
In Dispatch, you manage “a dysfunctional team of misfit heroes and strategize who to send to emergencies around the city, all while balancing office politices, personal relationships, and your own quest to become a hero.” You can play a demo right now on Steam.
Where does Critical Role come in to this picture? A few different places. For one, voice talent. Dispatch features three different core CR members: Matt Mercer, Laura Bailey, and Travis Willingham. In fact, according to the press release, the whole collaboration kicked off when Willingham received an audition for the game:
“Just from looking over the audition and game materials, I knew there was something special about what AdHoc was creating and I immediately reached out. The design, tone, style and storytelling of DISPATCH jumped off the page, and I knew given the pedigree of the folks at AdHoc, this was a team we wanted to collaborate with. Critical Role is always looking to build with people who are innovating around new ways to deliver story, character and worldbuilding, and AdHoc fits that perfectly.”
The rest isn’t quite history yet. But for now, we know that Critical Role will be working closely with AdHoc, starting with Dispatch. In addition to voicing characters, Critical Role will also be working on “brand development,” meaning merchandise as well as a tabletop game of some kind, and more.
Dispatch is slated for a release later this year. So keep an eye out if you want an idea of what Critical Role‘s first video game might be like.
Exandria dating sim when?
Bell of Lost Souls Staff Writer and DM, J.R. covers RPGs of all stripes and on occasion eats sandwiches. You can ask him about either at [email protected]
