Critical Role, the creator-owned media company best known for its sprawling actual-play Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, announced today that it will co-publish ROCKBEASTS, a story-driven rock-and-roll management RPG developed by indie studio LICHTHUND. Set in an alternate 1990s America, the game tasks players with guiding an aspiring grunge band from garage gigs to stadium glory, with a planned Steam launch in 2027.
The collaboration marks another expansion for the company behind the acclaimed animated series adaptations of its D&D campaigns, including The Mighty Nein, as it deepens its footprint in the video game industry. Critical Role will partner with LICHTHUND to bring ROCKBEASTS to players, leveraging the studio’s established title while adding its own narrative sensibilities and a built-in audience of devoted fans.
Managing the Band Through a Cutthroat Industry
In ROCKBEASTS, players step into the role of manager for an up-and-coming grunge band, working to push the group beyond its humble beginnings and achieve lasting success. The journey, however, is far from straightforward. Players must book gigs, juggle finances, maintain equipment, and schedule rehearsals while navigating an industry riddled with predatory record labels and jaded executives chasing a quick payday.
With so much riding on each choice, players will confront difficult decisions and grapple with the consequences, both rewarding and punishing, that follow them. Alongside its RPG and choice-based systems, ROCKBEASTS incorporates rhythm-based performance gameplay, meaning the band’s live shows matter just as much as its business acumen. How the band performs at each concert will directly influence its overall trajectory, tying the game’s two pillars together.
A Voice Cast Straight From the Critical Role Universe
ROCKBEASTS will not be Critical Role’s first foray into gaming. Fans will recall the company’s heavy involvement in AdHoc Studios’ comedy superhero game DISPATCH, which featured Critical Role co-founders Laura Bailey, Matthew Mercer, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, Liam O’Brien, Ashley Johnson, and Travis Willingham. That cast returns for ROCKBEASTS, bringing the game’s ensemble of hardcore musicians to life, while additional voice talent rounds out the production.
Among the notable additions is Grammy Award winner Iggy Pop, widely regarded as the “Godfather of Punk,” who will appear in the game, though the specifics of his involvement remain under wraps. The pairing of punk royalty with the Critical Role voice ensemble underscores the game’s commitment to authenticity in its rock-and-roll setting.
“What immediately stood out to us about ROCKBEASTS was how much it feels like something the Critical Role audience will connect with. It’s character-driven, funny and emotional, and the choices players make truly shape the band and their relationships. We’re excited to bring ROCKBEASTS to players as we continue to expand our presence in the video game business.”
Ben Van Der Fluit, SVP, Business and Content Development for Critical Role
“We’ve always seen ROCKBEASTS as an idea that deserves the full stadium treatment. Critical Role is helping us deliver it. The creative chemistry is already loud and clear, and it’ll bring the game to the players it will resonate with the most.”
Bartek Pieczonka, Creative Director, LICHTHUND
Looking Ahead
Critical Role has already proven its pull in the gaming space, with DISPATCH emerging as a major hit by selling over 1 million copies in just 10 days. Whether ROCKBEASTS can replicate that commercial triumph remains to be seen, but its blend of narrative depth, RPG systems, and resource management positions it to appeal to both longtime Critters and casual gamers alike. The involvement of the familiar Critical Role voice cast, combined with a loyal and passionate fandom, suggests a strong built-in audience eager to follow the band’s rise.
ROCKBEASTS is planned to launch on Steam in 2027. As the release window approaches, LICHTHUND and Critical Role are expected to share further details on gameplay, story, and the full scope of its voice cast, giving fans more opportunities to invest in the band’s journey to the stadium stage.
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