Critical Role has had a profound effect on the world of Dungeons and Dragons, with the popular show opening up the world of tabletop role-playing games to a massive new audience. However, Critical Role has announced that it will be suspending its live broadcast due to coronavirus.
Earlier today, the show posted an update to its blog, informing viewers that the live show would be suspended temporarily due to the coronavirus. Critical Role is hardly the first show to be affected by the disease, with games industry trade shows like E3 being canceled as well.
Oddly enough, today also saw the release of Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, a Dungeons and Dragons sourcebook based on the show's Wildemount setting. While the show shutting down, for the time being, is unfortunate, it's likely a wise decision, as the spread of coronavirus has increasingly become an issue throughout the world, with business and travel becoming increasingly limited.
At least the launch of the Wildemount sourcebook means that players can plan their own Critical Role-themed adventures, giving them something to do as the world buckles down into self-quarantine mode. It isn't the best-case scenario, but if there's any way to spend the days while bars, restaurants, and other business close, Dungeons and Dragons isn't the worst way to do it. If anything, it may even help fans get more excited for Critical Role's Vox Machina animated show.
The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound effect on many aspects of the world, with no signs of clearing up anytime soon. With rumors that even next-gen consoles may be delayed, it's unclear just how the world will have to remain self-quarantined and away from others. Hopefully, everything will be cleared up sooner rather than later.
For now, most people can only do their best to keep clean, sanitary, and out of harm's way. There's bound to be a fair bit of boredom before things clear up, but at least gamers have big new titles like Animal Crossing and DOOM Eternal coming soon to help pass the time, which should help soften the blow of staying home to some degree.
Source: Critical Role