Creating a Successful Multiplatform Media Company from a Dungeons & Dragons Livestream

About a decade ago, a group of talented voice actors came together to play Dungeons & Dragons in a live-streamed show. Fast forward to today, and that show has evolved into a full-blown media company known as Critical Role.

Critical Role has grown significantly since its early days. What started as a single live-stream has now expanded into a production studio, a publishing arm, a gaming division, a streaming service, a record label, and a charity initiative. The company’s journey reflects the changing landscape of media consumption, with more people seeking out niche content and alternative platforms like Critical Role’s own streaming service, Beacon.

While Critical Role keeps its financial details private, leaked reports have shown that the company made an impressive $9.6 million in direct payouts from Twitch between 2019 and 2021. Not too shabby for a company built on a classic fantasy game that’s been around for over 50 years.

At the heart of Critical Role’s success is its world-building and intellectual property. The company, led by talented individuals like Matthew Mercer, Ashley Johnson, Laura Bailey, and others, has created a rich fantasy world called Exandria. Through a mix of partnerships and in-house productions, they’ve captured audiences across various mediums, producing thousands of hours of original content, numerous shows, and dozens of books, comics, and novels.

While Dungeons & Dragons remains a key part of Critical Role’s identity, the company is branching out into new territories. Animated series like “The Legend of Vox Machina” on Amazon Prime Video have been a hit, and they’re gearing up for more content, including the “Wildemount Wildlings” series and a range of new books.

Critical Role’s success has also transcended the digital world to in-person live shows. The main cast is set for a multi-city tour in the U.S. and Australia, with plans to expand to Europe and South America in the future. They’ve even sold out iconic venues like Wembley Stadium in London.

As Critical Role continues to grow and experiment with new forms of storytelling and engagement, it’s clear that their journey from a simple live-stream to a thriving media empire is far from over.