The Darrington Press, renowned for its innovative creations like <em>Critical Role</em> and the recently launched Daggerheart tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) system, has expanded its design team by welcoming two remarkable members. In an unexpected yet thrilling development, two former Wizards of the Coast designers have joined the Critical Role creative team, bringing with them a wealth of experience. Their backgrounds as designers for Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition, Warhammer, and various other role-playing games indicate that exciting new ideas for future games could soon emerge.
On May 20, 2025, the highly anticipated Daggerheart was released, showcasing a brand-new TTRPG system developed by the Critical Role creative team. This innovative system introduces an array of exciting features, including the Hope and Fear Duality Dice that emphasize player narrative choices, alongside tactical systems designed to foster a loose, free-flowing narrative. The design principles behind Daggerheart are refreshingly original, providing players with straightforward ways to engage and enjoy the game.
Welcoming Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins to the Critical Role Family
Celebrating the Arrival of Two Titans of D&D 5E Design at Darrington Press
According to a recent blog post from Darrington Press, the talented duo of Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins are officially joining the creative team. Jeremy Crawford will take on the role of Game Director, while Chris Perkins has been appointed as Creative Director. These prestigious positions are particularly significant, especially following the successful launch of the Daggerheart system.
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Jeremy Crawford & Chris Perkins Are Leaving D&D At The Smartest Time
The exit of major Dungeons & Dragons designers might come as a surprise, but there’s never been a better moment for Crawford and Perkins to leave.
Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins both come from impactful backgrounds at Wizards of the Coast, where they contributed significantly to the development of Dungeons and Dragons, Blue Rose, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, and Star Wars Roleplaying games. Given that Wizards of the Coast previously sponsored Critical Role, both Crawford and Perkins have had prior connections with the TTRPG program, either as special guests or collaborators on D&D books set within the Critical Role universe.
Previously, Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford collaborated with Critical Role design teams to create the acclaimed “Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount” and “Call of the Netherdeep” adventure module and setting books for D&D 5th edition.
The recent career transition for Crawford and Perkins comes as a surprise, particularly since their exit from Wizards of the Coast occurred just two months after the release of the 2024 Monster Manual, which was the final installment in a trio of books crafted for the new 2024 rules of D&D.
D&D’s Former Designers Will Contribute to Future Critical Role RPGs
Leveraging Former Experience to Shape Future Content
The inclusion of Crawford and Perkins into the Critical Role Production team carries substantial significance, as it introduces seasoned game designers to an emerging creative team that is focused on crafting innovative and experimental RPG systems. A prime example of this is Daggerheart, which emphasizes dynamic storytelling through quick and engaging mechanics designed to propel collaborative narratives forward.
As Daggerheart continues to develop and grow from its initial launch, the insights gained from player testing and feedback will likely merge with the extensive experience of Crawford and Perkins to craft something truly exceptional. With both individuals being instrumental in implementing various impressive rule changes for the 2024 iteration of D&D 5th edition, their leadership is poised to guide a multitude of intriguing projects in the near future.
While not all changes introduced to the 5th edition of D&D for the 2024 rules have garnered a positive reception from fans, many bold modifications reflect a profound understanding of TTRPG mechanics and their application within diverse collaborative environments.
The strategic direction provided by Crawford and Perkins is now integrated into Darrington Press, a company founded by the Critical Role cast to publish TTRPGs like Daggerheart along with more traditional board games. Daggerheart and Candle Obscura represent Darrington Press’ initial ventures into the TTRPG realm with innovative systems. Conversely, Till the Last Gasp immerses players in 2-player dramatic storytelling duels within a more classic board game framework.
Other notable titles from Darrington Press include Solar Gardens and Queen by Midnight, both of which boast unique systems and mechanics reflective of timeless board game traditions. The new TTRPG systems and traditional board game offerings position Darrington Press as a formidable competitor to Wizards of the Coast, and the addition of Crawford and Perkins amplifies their competitive edge significantly.
Excitement for the Proven Designers Joining Critical Role Games
How Veteran Directors Will Enhance Mechanics Across All Projects
This exciting development fills me with immense enthusiasm for the future of Critical Role projects, spanning TTRPGs like Daggerheart to board games such as Till the Last Gasp. The Daggerheart system has already received acclaim from TTRPG enthusiasts, and the addition of these accomplished directors will help forge a clear and compelling vision for the journey ahead.
Both Crawford and Perkins have played pivotal roles in designing several of my favorite D&D materials, from innovative mechanics to adventure modules that continue to inspire my gameplay today. Perkins’ notable involvement as the Lead Story Designer for the acclaimed 2016 module Curse of Strahd instills confidence in the potential for future Darrington Press projects to feature robust, engaging, and captivating narratives.
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Critical Role’s Daggerheart Cover Reveal For Standard & Limited Editions Shows Off New Artwork From The TTRPG
Critical Role has revealed the covers to its new tabletop role-playing game, Daggerheart, at PAX Unplugged this weekend. The game is due out in 2025.
Jeremy Crawford brings over 20 years of invaluable TTRPG design expertise, having played a key role in both editions of D&D 5th and 4th editions since 2008. The combined wealth of experience that Crawford and Perkins possess is impressive, providing Darrington Press with the guidance needed for numerous upcoming projects in the years to come.
Creating any TTRPG project requires time and effort, so don’t expect the fruits of Critical Role’s production efforts involving Crawford or Perkins to materialize immediately as they integrate with Darrington Press.
The undeniable influence that Critical Role has had on the TTRPG landscape is now reinforced by the impressive resumes of Crawford and Perkins, enabling new creative visions to manifest into reality. Frequently, TTRPG creators produce well-meaning systems with inherent flaws due to insufficient experience. Having two seasoned directors within the scene should empower Critical Role to shape larger ideas into achievable and balanced goals.
This new phase of competition between Darrington Press and Wizards of the Coast holds the potential for bold and innovative projects from both teams. Although the future remains uncertain, the combination of Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins’ design experience with the imaginative power and positive impact of Critical Role is definitely worth following for fans of tabletop and board games alike.
Source: Darrington Press Blog Post
