Critical Role, one of the most famousDungeons and DragonsActual Play streams, recently broke its silence on the controversy plaguing the popular pastime. Its statement came on the heels ofDungeons and Dragons’ recent response to outcry against its plans to change the Open Game License inOne D&D.
Shortly after5th Edition Dungeons and Dragonswas released,Critical Role–an Actual Play group composed of famous voice actors–switched to the new system and began streaming. In the following years,Critical Rolebecame hugely popular, releasing both official and third-partyDungeons and Dragonssourcebooks, board games, and evenThe Legend of Vox MachinaTV series.
RELATED:Wizards of the Coast Issues Statement After Mass DnD Beyond Cancelations, Backtracks on Changes
Now,Critical Rolehas responded to the recentDungeons and Dragonscontroversy. It stated it supports both its industry peers and anyDungeons and Dragonscreators making their own system. It mentions Darrington Press, its own publishing company, as an example of its own efforts to add to the creative collective by broadening the field of creators, and attributes its success to the passion of the community. Finally,Critical Rolecommits “to fostering an environment that allows everyone the opportunity to easily share the stories they wish to tell.”
Critical Rolehas a huge group of fans in and out of the TTRPG community. The recentactions of Wizards of the Coast have raised tensionsacross the entire industry. With such a large fanbase,Critical Roleneeded to make a statement or risk earning the ire of its fans.
To many,Critical Role’s statement said nothing. It seemed to straddle the line between industry and creator, and refused to commit to one side or the other. Many players were angry at the non-statement, especially compared it torecent announcements by groups likePathfindercreator Paizo.
However, other fans were quick to point outCritical Role’s statement was actually legally ingenious. Though carefully-crafted as to not openly decry Wizards of the Coast, several sections of the statement show its support ofDungeons and Dragonsfans. In particular, evoking Darrington Press could be seen as a subtle threat to Wizards of the Coast, indicatingCritical Roledidn’t need it to succeed. Matt Mercer has also liked statements under theOpenDnD trend on Twitteron his personal account, further suggesting subtle support.
Dungeons and Dragonsis available now.One D&Dis in development.
MORE:Video Games That Dungeons and Dragons Players Can Play While the OGL Controversy is Going On
