“Behind the Epic Storytelling: Matt Mercer and Laura Bailey Open Up on Succession and Legacy in Critical Role” In the realm of immersive storytelling, few franchises have captured the hearts of millions quite like Critical Role. The web series, which has become a cultural phenomenon, has been hailed for its masterful blend of role-playing, camaraderie, and epic storytelling. But behind the scenes, its cofounders, Matt Mercer and Laura Bailey, have had to confront a question that has puzzled creators for ages: how do you balance the pursuit of greatness with the inevitability of legacy? As two of the most talented voices in the Critical Role universe, Mercer and Bailey have had to navigate the delicate balance of creating something truly remarkable, while also building a lasting legacy that will outlast them. In an exclusive interview with Business Insider, the Critical Role cofounders take a deep dive into their thoughts on succession and legacy, sharing insights into the challenges and triumphs of building an entertainment empire
Critical Role Cofounders on Their Future: A Deep Dive
Commitment to the Future
Critical Role’s cofounders, including CEO Travis Willingham, have made it clear that they are committed to continuing their streaming and content creation endeavors. This commitment extends to exploring new storytelling avenues within Exandria, such as new story arcs and settings. The cofounders are dedicated to expanding their team by bringing in new talent and leveraging partnerships to expand their reach and influence.
Expanding the Team
Introducing new faces and talent to the Beacon platform and other business arms is a key part of Critical Role’s growth strategy. The company has already expanded its reach in the podcasting business by acquiring shows like “Midst” and “Tales from the Stinky Dragon.” Critical Role’s cofounders are dedicated to finding creatives who make “cool and nerdy” things and giving them a platform on their streaming platform, Beacon.
Building a Robust Legacy
Critical Role’s cofounders are focused on sustaining their creative ecosystem and preparing for future content projects. They are also dedicated to maintaining the quality and excitement for their fans. Ensuring the continued success of their business involves exploring new technologies and platforms to enhance the fan experience and content delivery, as well as diversifying revenue streams.
Ensuring Continuity and Stability
Addressing potential concerns about succession within the company is a top priority for Critical Role’s cofounders. Every community bank starts with a mission, and it’s crucial to ensure that this mission is preserved even when the leader who has championed it for decades is no longer at the helm. Succession planning is not just about filling a role, but about preserving the soul of the bank and ensuring steady leadership for the team, customers, and community. A well-thought-out plan brings clarity, continuity, and confidence to all involved.
Cultural Continuity
Critical Role has built a robust and vibrant community around its core values and culture. As they continue to evolve, the cofounders are focused on maintaining these foundational principles while also welcoming new talent and fresh ideas. Travis Willingham, CEO of Critical Role, emphasizes the importance of this cultural continuity as the cornerstone of their continued success. By integrating new talent into the existing framework, Critical Role ensures that the company’s core values remain intact, while simultaneously fostering innovation and growth.
Maintaining Core Values
The core values of Critical Role, such as storytelling, community, and creativity, are deeply ingrained in the company’s operations. Travis Willingham stated, “We’ve had 10 amazing years, and it should be clear that we’re not going anywhere. We’ve got tons more to do.” This dedication to their values ensures a consistent experience for fans and a stable foundation for new initiatives.
Embracing New Talent
To achieve their goals of expanding their reach and influence, Critical Role is actively seeking new talent. This approach allows them to bring fresh perspectives and skills to the table without diluting the company’s core identity. As Willingham noted, “We’re very dedicated to introducing these new faces to our audience. And that’s not going to stop anytime soon.” By carefully selecting and integrating new members, Critical Role ensures a harmonious blend of old and new, fostering creativity and innovation.
Fan Engagement and Community
Fan engagement and community building are critical elements of Critical Role’s success. By maintaining close relationships with their audience and fostering a strong, supportive community, the company can continue to thrive and grow.
Fan Interaction and Feedback
Fan feedback plays an indispensable role in shaping Critical Role’s future projects and content. The cofounders have often cited fan input as a driving force behind their creative decisions. According to Liam O’Brien, one of the cofounders, the team is constantly looking to future projects, such as “visiting Exandria in a science fiction far future.” This approach not only keeps the content fresh but also ensures that it resonates with the audience.
Community Building and Expansion
The expansion of the Critical Role community has been a strategic priority for the company. With live tours and international events, the team is actively working to build a strong, engaged community beyond their core fanbase. Travis Willingham commented on this expansion, saying “We’re talking about merch, and we’re talking new ways that we can continue to elevate our content and how we tell this story.” These efforts ensure that the community remains vibrant and continues to grow.
Future Challenges and Opportunities
As Critical Role looks to the future, they must navigate a range of challenges and opportunities. By addressing these effectively, the company can ensure sustained growth and success.
Facing Industry Challenges
The streaming and gaming industries are rapidly evolving, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Critical Role must stay ahead of these changes to maintain its leadership position. The cofounders are well aware of these challenges and are actively working on strategies to adapt and innovate. For example, the company is exploring new streaming platforms and content formats to stay relevant and engaging for fans.
Opportunities for Expansion
Opportunities for expansion are abundant, both domestically and internationally. Critical Role has already made significant strides in expanding its reach, notably with its international tour and partnerships. The team is looking to expand further by exploring new markets and leveraging their brand to attract new audiences. This strategic expansion will help Critical Role maintain its relevance and continue to grow its fanbase.
Business and Financial Insights
Financial stability and strategic investment are key components of Critical Role’s long-term success. The cofounders have a clear vision for how to sustain and grow the business in the coming years.
Financial Strategy and Sustainability
Maintaining long-term financial health requires a robust strategy that balances growth with sustainability. Critical Role’s financial strategy involves diversified revenue streams, including merchandise, live shows, and digital content. Ray, one of the cofounders, highlighted the importance of these strategies, noting that they are “building everything out” in anticipation of future growth. This multifaceted approach to revenue generation helps ensure the company’s financial stability and supports its ambitious expansion plans.
Investment in Infrastructure
To support the expanding business operations, Critical Role is making significant investments in infrastructure. This includes upgrading streaming platforms, enhancing production capabilities, and improving logistics for live events. Travis Willingham emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, “We’ve got tons more to do.” These investments will enable the company to handle increased demand and provide a seamless experience for their global audience.
Cultural and Creative Impact
Critical Role’s influence extends beyond its immediate business operations, impacting the gaming community and broader storytelling landscape. The company’s cultural and creative contributions have established a legacy that continues to inspire and engage fans.
Impact on the Gaming Community
Since its inception, Critical Role has significantly impacted the gaming community. The company’s innovative approach to storytelling and community engagement has set new standards for Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop games. The role-playing game industry has seen a surge in popularity, and Critical Role has been at the forefront, driving interest and engagement through its dynamic content and fan interactions.
Influence on Storytelling
The influence of Critical Role extends beyond gaming into broader storytelling practices. The unique blend of live streaming, narrative storytelling, and interactive fan engagement has created a new benchmark for content creation. The company’s commitment to quality storytelling is evident in their animated series and live events, which have garnered critical acclaim and a loyal following. This influence is expected to continue as Critical Role expands into new markets and content formats.
Conclusion and Reflection
The past decade has seen Critical Role grow from a niche community to a global phenomenon, driven by a blend of storytelling, community engagement, and innovative business practices. Reflecting on this journey, the cofounders express a clear vision for the future.
Reflection on Past Success
The last decade has been marked by significant milestones, from the launch of their first campaign to the creation of animated series and live events. The cofounders attribute this success to the strong sense of community and the dedication to quality content. Travis Willingham highlighted the community’s role, stating, “We’ve had 10 amazing years — and it should be clear and known and declared that we’re not going anywhere.” This steadfast commitment to their fans and community has been a key driver of their success.
Looking Forward
As they move forward, Critical Role is poised to expand its reach and influence. With a focus on bringing new talent on board and exploring new markets, the company is positioning itself for continued growth. Travis Willingham’s vision for the future includes not only new creative projects but also leveraging Beacon, their streaming platform, to provide a platform for other storytellers. This approach not only sustains the current success but also paves the way for a vibrant and innovative ecosystem for years to come.
Conclusion
In a recent interview with Business Insider, Critical Role cofounders shed light on the long-standing question surrounding the company’s succession and legacy. The main takeaway from the conversation is that the founding members have given considerable thought to the matter, prioritizing the preservation of their creative vision and the protection of their community. They acknowledge the challenges of maintaining their brand’s distinct voice and artistic direction, should they decide to step back or hand over the reins in the future.
This topic holds significant implications for the entertainment industry as a whole, particularly in the realm of geek culture. Critical Role has set a precedent for creator-driven content, demonstrating the power of passion projects and community engagement. The cofounders’ commitment to legacy planning underscores the importance of considering long-term sustainability in creative endeavors. As the company continues to grow and evolve, their forward-thinking approach will undoubtedly inspire others to follow suit. The question of succession serves as a reminder that even the most seemingly invincible creative forces must confront the reality of their own mortality.
