"Tales from the Stinky Dragon" is amazing and it has a very strong base, but I fear Critical Role will lose a LOT of strength when/if they do a switch to Daggerheart (which is the most probable thing to happen). I just hope I'm wrong and that the strength of critters alone can keep 'em up.
I don't watch critical role for dnd. They get stuff wrong all the time. I watch for the story. If the switch systems and the story is good I don't think people will care. Especially if they bring in another show that uses 5e.
Not sure where I stand on all these acquisitions/collaborations/side projects. It's not anything new for CR but I feel like they've been taking bigger and bigger swings the last year or so. While it can be positive to expand your reach and diversify your content to reach more people and make new fans, it can also lead to burnout from creatives, a drop in the quality of existing content and fatigue from fans. I fear CR are stretching themselves very thin in terms of how much they're juggling. From all the side projects, sponsored 1 shots and shows to collabs, to working on 2 separate animated shows, to wrapping up C3 to creating their own TTRPGs to prepping for whatever C4 is going to be, to live shows to launching their own media platform etc etc. A large section of the fanbase has been vocal about how CR has lost much of that "Friends playing a game" energy since about the middle of C2. That energy that made C1 so special. It's only become louder since C3. And it's hard not to agree with that. It's also hard to not see them getting farther from that when C4 begins. Now, I do think that C1 was a very special thing that won't be repeated or replicated. And I have enjoyed many aspects of C3. But I can feel myself caring less and less about their content. It just feels like the spark isn't there anymore. Last night's episode felt very weird. While it was a cool combat episode, the energy of the crew was very mundane and kinda frivolous. For an episode that should have felt very heavy and consequential there was a sort of light hearted jovial mood that felt odd. Matt had to go pretty hard at the end, when they ran into the armies of Vasselheim, to try to set the tone and put the cast in a more serious mood. I'm sure a lot of that is the cast (Besides Imogen of course) feeling like they don't have much control over what's actually happening in the campaign. Also partly because they are just ready for C3 to end as much as some of the fans are. Ultimately, I think CR has a fatigue issue. From Matt to the cast & crew to the fans. I hope the break between C3 & 4 is a long 1. I don't need them to rush into C4, 2-4 months after wrapping up the current campaign. Take a break to wrap up some other projects, relax and enjoy their success. Try to recapture a bit of the fun and endearing collaborative storytelling that we all fell in love with, while giving us some cool new twists and additions to keep things fresh. If C4 comes out and is much the same as C2 & 3, I feel like they're going to alienate a lot of the fanbase and will begin a slow decline.
if they couldn’t do any of it then they wouldn’t. but they are always willing to try new ideas as they have said. they are a creative company. let them deal with things how they see fit.
I havent checked TftSD yet. Sounds good. From these clips it seems like the audio production suffers a little, but if the story is great I could definitely get sucked in.
Stinky dragon is amazing and it is family friendly. And don't forget gus was on red versus blue and the fact if they're doing some weird weird storyline.
I don't know why you or CR would think their fans want "family friendly content". That's never been their brand and I'm not aware of any kids that want to watch adults sit at a table and talk. The CR brand (and proven formula) is the cast, Matt's DMing, and Exandria. That's what works and it's what people want. That's where they should put their focus: expanding their popular brand with EXU-styled content. Snatching up other actual plays is just low effort content grabs that dilute the brand. People go to CR to see CR, not to watch a bunch of other tangentially related stuff which could have been found elsewhere already for anyone looking. Midst, Candela, Re-Slayers, now Stinky and none of them are putting up impressive numbers, afaik. The only way that works is if they go in HARD on ALL the actual plays and simply make Beacon "the Netflix of TTRPG shows". Frankly, I think their content direction has been pretty misguided. They have lightning in a bottle and are squandering it. But what do I know...
You are missing one of the best dnd shows up there. From my point of view, sitting and watching a bunch of people sitting and talking is a collosal waste of time, while listening to podcast in transit or doing something else is efficient use of my time 😅
@@randomnickify I enjoy watching the facial expressions and reactions of the CR cast while they are role-playing. I briefly gave Stinky Dragon a try when they were on Narrative Telephone the first time and it just didn't grab me. I do enjoy listening to Re-Slayers Take however while driving to or from work. That may be because of the Exandrian setting because I tried listening to Heroes Club and couldn't get into it. I might give Tales from the Stinky Dragon another try. The cast seems very likable and funny.
I just couldn't get into Midst. They come across like "listen to how cool I am". It is all too polished and pretentious. I got into Crit Role long ago because, even though the cast are all famous and successful now, when it started they were all a bit awkward and came across very natural and unassuming...just a bunch of nerdy friends playing D&D.
Have you given Tales from the Stinky Dragon a listen? Let us know what you thought down in the comments!
"Tales from the Stinky Dragon" is amazing and it has a very strong base, but I fear Critical Role will lose a LOT of strength when/if they do a switch to Daggerheart (which is the most probable thing to happen).
I just hope I'm wrong and that the strength of critters alone can keep 'em up.
I don't watch critical role for dnd. They get stuff wrong all the time. I watch for the story. If the switch systems and the story is good I don't think people will care. Especially if they bring in another show that uses 5e.
you do know what makes CR entertaining to watch is not just the dnd side right? it’s the storytelling & the cast that are engaging.
critical role taking in Rooster teeth refugees.
It worked out pretty well for both groups in this case!
Stinky dragon was an accidental surprise that was great for work! Luckily my job requires zero taking. Plug in and zone out with podcast for 10 hrs ❤
Not sure where I stand on all these acquisitions/collaborations/side projects. It's not anything new for CR but I feel like they've been taking bigger and bigger swings the last year or so. While it can be positive to expand your reach and diversify your content to reach more people and make new fans, it can also lead to burnout from creatives, a drop in the quality of existing content and fatigue from fans. I fear CR are stretching themselves very thin in terms of how much they're juggling. From all the side projects, sponsored 1 shots and shows to collabs, to working on 2 separate animated shows, to wrapping up C3 to creating their own TTRPGs to prepping for whatever C4 is going to be, to live shows to launching their own media platform etc etc. A large section of the fanbase has been vocal about how CR has lost much of that "Friends playing a game" energy since about the middle of C2. That energy that made C1 so special. It's only become louder since C3. And it's hard not to agree with that. It's also hard to not see them getting farther from that when C4 begins. Now, I do think that C1 was a very special thing that won't be repeated or replicated. And I have enjoyed many aspects of C3. But I can feel myself caring less and less about their content. It just feels like the spark isn't there anymore. Last night's episode felt very weird. While it was a cool combat episode, the energy of the crew was very mundane and kinda frivolous. For an episode that should have felt very heavy and consequential there was a sort of light hearted jovial mood that felt odd. Matt had to go pretty hard at the end, when they ran into the armies of Vasselheim, to try to set the tone and put the cast in a more serious mood. I'm sure a lot of that is the cast (Besides Imogen of course) feeling like they don't have much control over what's actually happening in the campaign. Also partly because they are just ready for C3 to end as much as some of the fans are. Ultimately, I think CR has a fatigue issue. From Matt to the cast & crew to the fans. I hope the break between C3 & 4 is a long 1. I don't need them to rush into C4, 2-4 months after wrapping up the current campaign. Take a break to wrap up some other projects, relax and enjoy their success. Try to recapture a bit of the fun and endearing collaborative storytelling that we all fell in love with, while giving us some cool new twists and additions to keep things fresh. If C4 comes out and is much the same as C2 & 3, I feel like they're going to alienate a lot of the fanbase and will begin a slow decline.
if they couldn’t do any of it then they wouldn’t. but they are always willing to try new ideas as they have said. they are a creative company. let them deal with things how they see fit.
I havent checked TftSD yet. Sounds good. From these clips it seems like the audio production suffers a little, but if the story is great I could definitely get sucked in.
If critical role goes under your whole platform is dead. You should be pushing them to grow.
Heck yeah!! There are too many adult themed games and actual plays. Let's just be nice and have good, wholesome fun!!! Stinkys!!!!
STINKY DRAGON ROCKS!! yes yes yes yes!!!
Stinky dragon is amazing and it is family friendly. And don't forget gus was on red versus blue and the fact if they're doing some weird weird storyline.
I don't know why you or CR would think their fans want "family friendly content". That's never been their brand and I'm not aware of any kids that want to watch adults sit at a table and talk.
The CR brand (and proven formula) is the cast, Matt's DMing, and Exandria. That's what works and it's what people want. That's where they should put their focus: expanding their popular brand with EXU-styled content.
Snatching up other actual plays is just low effort content grabs that dilute the brand. People go to CR to see CR, not to watch a bunch of other tangentially related stuff which could have been found elsewhere already for anyone looking. Midst, Candela, Re-Slayers, now Stinky and none of them are putting up impressive numbers, afaik.
The only way that works is if they go in HARD on ALL the actual plays and simply make Beacon "the Netflix of TTRPG shows".
Frankly, I think their content direction has been pretty misguided. They have lightning in a bottle and are squandering it.
But what do I know...
Love tales from the stinky dragon.
❤ stinky dragon
I don't care to follow a podcast but if they do something in front of the camera then I would totally give that a shot!
You are missing one of the best dnd shows up there. From my point of view, sitting and watching a bunch of people sitting and talking is a collosal waste of time, while listening to podcast in transit or doing something else is efficient use of my time 😅
@@randomnickify I enjoy watching the facial expressions and reactions of the CR cast while they are role-playing.
I briefly gave Stinky Dragon a try when they were on Narrative Telephone the first time and it just didn't grab me. I do enjoy listening to Re-Slayers Take however while driving to or from work. That may be because of the Exandrian setting because I tried listening to Heroes Club and couldn't get into it.
I might give Tales from the Stinky Dragon another try. The cast seems very likable and funny.
@@malkovich8they really are
I just couldn't get into Midst. They come across like "listen to how cool I am". It is all too polished and pretentious. I got into Crit Role long ago because, even though the cast are all famous and successful now, when it started they were all a bit awkward and came across very natural and unassuming...just a bunch of nerdy friends playing D&D.