Critical Role Partnered with LICHTHUND for ROCKBEASTS
The media company will provide voice talent and co-publishing support for the upcoming rock-and-roll management RPG.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Board Games
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Critical Role has entered a partnership with indie developer LICHTHUND to co-publish the story-driven management RPG ROCKBEASTS. The game features voice acting from legendary musician Iggy Pop and is set in an alternate 1990s America.
Why it matters
This partnership marks a strategic effort by Critical Role to broaden its reach beyond tabletop gaming and into the video game industry. By lending its creative resources and voice talent, the company aims to establish a foothold in digital interactive media.
The game features 17 original tracks inspired by 90s alternative rock and grunge. ROCKBEASTS is currently slated for a 2027 launch.
The players
Critical Role
Critical Role is a popular multimedia company known for its long-running web series where voice actors play tabletop role-playing games.
LICHTHUND
LICHTHUND is an indie game studio responsible for the development of the ROCKBEASTS project.
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is a legendary rock musician and singer who is serving as a member of the game's voice cast.
Jakub Szamałek
Jakub Szamałek is an experienced industry professional serving as the narrative director for the ROCKBEASTS video game.
The details
In ROCKBEASTS, players manage resources, band dynamics, and setlists while navigating a rock-and-roll career in an alternate 1990s America. The narrative, guided by director Jakub Szamałek, focuses on player choices that dictate the group's reputation and relationships.
Timeline
The game is inspired by the musical style and setting of the 1990s.
The project is currently scheduled for launch in 2027.
Culture Shift
The game is deeply tied to the cultural aesthetic of the 1990s alternative rock genre, which dictates the game's musical and stylistic direction. This represents a broader industry trend of developers leveraging specific musical nostalgia to anchor narrative-driven RPG experiences.
Players interested in the title should anticipate a 2027 release window as development continues under the newly formed partnership. The inclusion of original music and recognizable voice talent suggests a focus on high-fidelity production for fans of the RPG genre.
The takeaway
This collaboration highlights how established gaming content creators are moving into the digital software market to reach new audiences. Interested players can look for future updates as the studio finalizes the game's narrative and performance mechanics ahead of its 2027 debut.
Further reading
For more on industry developments in tabletop and digital gaming, visit the Board Games section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by mxdwn Games.
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