Jump to content

Dimension 20

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Escape from the Bloodkeep)
"Fantasy High" redirects here. For the subgenre, see High fantasy.
"Adventuring Party" redirects here. For the fantasy element, see Party (role-playing games).

Dimension 20
Genre
Created byBrennan Lee Mulligan
Based onDungeons & Dragons 5th edition
Directed byMichael Schaubach
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons22
No. of episodes256 (plus 6 one-shots)
Production
Executive producers
ProducerRick Perry
Running timec. 60–180 minutes
Production companyCollegeHumor
Original release
NetworkDropout
ReleaseSeptember 26, 2018 (2018-09-26) –
present (present)

Dimension 20 is a tabletop role-playing game show produced by and broadcast on Dropout, and created and generally hosted by Brennan Lee Mulligan as the show's regular Dungeon Master. Most of the games use Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition. Long seasons, featuring a core cast of players in seventeen or more episodes, are interspersed with shorter side quests, featuring a rotating cast in ten or fewer episodes.

History

[edit]

Origins at CollegeHumor (2018–2020)

[edit]

Dimension 20 originated as a production for Dropout, a streaming service launched by CollegeHumor in 2018 to deliver content with R-rated material or an unusual format. Dimension 20 was among the shows listed for the service when it was first unveiled.[1] The format for the show, with distinct story arcs in different settings, was determined early on in the show's development.[2] The host, Brennan Lee Mulligan, had been DMing since the age of 10 and had a background as a LARP writer. He had been the dungeon master for a private campaign with most of the principal cast of Dimension 20, only lacking Lou Wilson and Ally Beardsley.[2]

The series' launch took place amid a "renaissance" of actual play shows. Mulligan cited a number of existing tabletop shows as inspiration for Dimension 20, including Not Another D&D Podcast (NADDPod), The Adventure Zone and Critical Role.[2] One such show, NADDPod, features Emily Axford and Brian Murphy, who would join Dimension 20's primary cast.[3] Guests were also drawn from Critical Role and The Adventure Zone early on in the show's run – Matt Mercer first appeared in Escape from the Bloodkeep and Griffin McElroy appeared in a live episode of Fantasy High in 2019. The full cast of The Adventure Zone appeared in Tiny Heist in early 2020.

The show debuted in 2018 with the first season of Fantasy High.[4] A sequel to this campaign, titled Fantasy High: Sophomore Year, premiered in 2019. Episodes of Fantasy High: Sophomore Year were streamed live on Twitch, unlike the pre-recorded and edited style of other campaigns on Dropout. The season concluded with a two-part finale titled "Spring Break! I Believe in You!", which was streamed remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] Announced on the fifth anniversary of Dimension 20, a third season of this campaign – Fantasy High: Junior Year – premiered in January 2024.[6]

The launch of the show took place amid financial troubles at CollegeHumor, which had suffered from a pivot to Facebook video in the late 2010s based on inaccurate metrics. By late 2019, InterActiveCorp (IAC), the company's owner since 2006, was exploring the sale of CollegeHumor.[7] In January 2020, the Dimension 20 cast was laid off as part of larger layoffs at CollegeHumor. Mulligan was left as the only creative staff member on payroll at the company.[8] The show nevertheless continued production remotely as California's stay at home orders were put into effect.[9] CollegeHumor was rebranded as Dropout and continued to produce content, heavily focusing on Dimension 20.[10]

Return to studio production and success (2021–present)

[edit]

On May 24, 2021, Brennan Lee Mulligan announced that Dimension 20 and other CollegeHumor projects would resume production in-person and in-studio, adhering to COVID safety guidelines set by SAG-AFTRA and other film guilds and production unions.[11] The show also began to use rotating game masters for side-quest campaigns in a change announced the following month.[12] The company was able to hire more staff beyond its initial skeleton crew, and was in a more positive financial situation by 2024.[10][13]

Beginning in 2022, Dropout began to auction off miniatures from previous seasons of Dimension 20. The proceeds from the auctions go towards funding future seasons of the show, as well as to charitable causes. This began with A Crown of Candy pieces.[14] A Fantasy High auction in 2024 donated 100% of profit to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, and for the first time included scenery pieces and segments of the Dungeon Master's screen.[15]

During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, production on Dimension 20 initially shut down.[16] In July 2023, Dropout CEO Sam Reich stated that as Dropout is not a member of the AMPTP, they "may be able to reach an interim agreement with SAG" which would allow them to resume production.[17] Reich commented, "but we'll only do that, obviously, if we get the blessing of the union and the buy-in of our performers. If not, we have enough content in the can to last us a little past the end of the year".[17] In August 2023, Reich announced that all Dropout shows had resumed production, as it was determined that their "New Media Agreement for Non-Dramatic Programming" was under a non-struck SAG-AFTRA contract.[18][19]

Dimension 20 at the Hammersmith Apollo during the 2024 UK and Ireland tour.

In April 2024, Dimension 20 underwent a live tour in the UK and Ireland. These performances were billed as the "Time Quangle" and featured non-canonical crossovers between the main campaigns.[20][21] A performance at Madison Square Garden entitled Gauntlet at the Garden is also scheduled for January 24, 2025.[4][22] As the venue's ticketing is managed by Ticketmaster, a surge pricing algorithm meant that tickets were briefly selling for thousands of dollars, at higher prices than comparable Taylor Swift tickets.[22][23] Dimension 20 issued a statement afterwards, indicating that they had been unaware Ticketmaster was operating its dynamic pricing system for the venue, and that they had opted out of that system for all future events. Given that 15,000 tickets sold in four days, the event is expected to be the largest actual play show in the United States.[24][25][23]

Format

[edit]

The seasons of the show are broadly divided into Intrepid Heroes campaigns, which feature a recurring group of six players, and Side Quests which feature guest players.[26][27] Intrepid Heroes campaigns feature Mulligan as the Dungeon Master, along with players Emily Axford, Ally Beardsley, Brian Murphy, Zac Oyama, Siobhan Thompson, and Lou Wilson.[23][28] These seasons are generally between seventeen and twenty episodes in length, and a campaign setting is sometimes revisited in additional seasons. As of 2024 there have been eight Intrepid Heroes seasons: Fantasy High, The Unsleeping City, Fantasy High: Sophomore Year, A Crown of Candy, The Unsleeping City: Chapter II, A Starstruck Odyssey, Neverafter, and Fantasy High: Junior Year.[28] A 2024 Time Quangle live tour in the UK and Ireland also featured the Intrepid Heroes cast and acted as a crossover between the main campaigns. The players drew randomly from their past characters, using bingo machines to set up each show. The Time Quangle performances were recorded, and are to be released on Dropout.[20]

Guest players for Side Quests are generally CollegeHumor alumni or cast members of other actual play shows. An exception to this was Dungeons and Drag Queens which featured notable contestants from RuPaul's Drag Race.[29][30] Mulligan acted as the game master for the first four side quests, after which the show started to use other Game Masters for these campaigns, in addition to Mulligan. Aabria Iyengar is the most recurring guest Game Master, having appeared in the role four times.[29][30]

Cast members by campaign

[edit]
Key
Symbol Meaning
* Intrepid Heroes campaign; DM Mulligan
^ Side quest campaign; DM/GM Mulligan
§ Side quest campaign; GM Iyengar
Δ Side quest campaign; other GM/DM
DM/GM Cast member is the dungeon master or game master of a specific campaign
Cast member appears in a specific campaign
Live Cast member appears in the live episodes of a specific campaign
Main and recurring cast appearances by campaign
Campaign
Cast
member
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
*Fantasy High
^Escape from the Bloodkeep
*The Unsleeping City
*Fantasy High: Sophomore Year
^Tiny Heist
*A Crown of Candy
^Pirates of Leviathan
*The Unsleeping City: Chapter II
^Mice & Murder
^The Seven
ΔShriek Week
*A Starstruck Odyssey
ΔCoffin Run
§A Court of Fey and Flowers
*Neverafter
ΔThe Ravening War
^Dungeons & Drag Queens
^Mentopolis
§Burrow's End
*Fantasy High: Junior Year
^Never Stop Blowing Up
§Misfits and Magic Season 2
Main cast
Brennan Lee Mulligan DM DM DM DM DM DM DM DM DM DM DM DM DM GM DM GM
Emily Axford
Ally Beardsley
Brian Murphy
Zac Oyama
Siobhan Thompson
Lou Wilson
Recurring cast
Erika Ishii
Matthew Mercer DM
Ify Nwadiwe
Rekha Shankar
Mike Trapp
Lily Du
Griffin McElroy Live
Aabria Iyengar GM GM DM GM
Carlos Luna
Danielle Radford
Isabella Roland
Becca Scott Live
Alex Song-Xia

Campaigns

[edit]

The campaigns use the Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition system, with Brennan Lee Mulligan as the Dungeon Master (DM), unless otherwise stated. The DM or Game Master (GM) also creates house rules that alter the role-playing game system the campaign is using.

Key
Symbol Meaning
* Intrepid Heroes campaign; DM Mulligan
^ Side quest campaign; DM/GM Mulligan
§ Side quest campaign; GM Iyengar
Δ Side quest campaign; other GM/DM
No. Eps Original airing Cast Description Ref
Start End
* Fantasy High
1 17[a] Sep 26, 2018 Jan 9, 2019
Set in Elmville, an odd, anachronistic town resembling a high-fantasy John Hughes movie. "The Bad Kids" attend freshman year at high school Aguefort Adventuring Academy, which teaches students to become adventurers. [31]
[32]
[33]
^ Escape from the Bloodkeep
2 6 Apr 30, 2019 Jun 4, 2019
The show's first "side quest" season, a parody of The Lord of the Rings. A cast of villains try to hide the death of their Sauron-esque leader from the rest of his evil armies. [34]
[35]
* The Unsleeping City
3 17 Jul 9, 2019 Oct 29, 2019
A campaign set in a magical version of modern-day New York City, where a group of New Yorkers protect its residents from knowing about the underlying magic in their city. [36]
[37]
[38]
* Fantasy High: Sophomore Year
4 20 Oct 16, 2019 Apr 3, 2020 See Fantasy High above A continuation of Fantasy High. The Bad Kids leave Elmville to retrieve the Crown of The Nightmare King for 60% of their final grade. Streamed on Twitch as "Dimension 20 LIVE", then edited for Dropout. The campaign was the first to use "theater of the mind", not battle minis or sets. The two-part finale was recorded remotely due to Stay at Home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
^ Tiny Heist
5 6 Jan 9, 2020 Feb 13, 2020
In a city built into the walls and garden of a suburban house, a crew of "tiny people" (bugs, fairies, living toys, etc.) try to pull off a heist against a crime lord. Inspired by The Borrowers and Toy Story, and featuring the McElroys from The Adventure Zone. [39]
* A Crown of Candy
6 17 Apr 8, 2020 Aug 5, 2020
Set in a Candy Land-inspired kingdom of Candia in a Game of Thrones-inspired setting of violence and political intrigue. Pre-recorded episodes, followed by a new live after-show with the cast (known as Adventuring Party) were released every Wednesday until the season finale. [40]
[41]
^ Pirates of Leviathan
7 6 Sep 16, 2020 Oct 21, 2020
In the same universe as Fantasy High, a group of pirates band together to prevent an evil insurance company from destroying their floating pirate city of Leviathan. This was the first campaign to be completely recorded remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. [42]
[43]
* The Unsleeping City: Chapter II
8 18 Nov 11, 2020 Mar 10, 2021
Three years after The Unsleeping City, the Dream Team reunites, with two new members, to stop internet-based media corporation Gladiator from destroying the balance between Dream and Waking Worlds. The remotely-recorded campaign used virtual tabletop Roll20 instead of physical dice, sets and figurines. [44]
^ Mice & Murder
9 10 Apr 7, 2021 Jun 9, 2021
  • Katie Marovitch as Gangie Green
  • Sam Reich as Buckster $ Boyd
  • Rekha Shankar as Daisy D'umpstaire
  • Raphael Chestang as Vicar Ian Prescott
  • Ally Beardsley as Lars Vandenchomp
  • Grant O'Brien as Detective Sylvester Cross
 An Edwardian murder mystery campaign inspired by Sherlock Holmes, set in a world where characters are anthropomorphic animals, in the same vein as The Wind in the Willows, attending the birthday party of a wealthy estate owner. Recorded remotely. [45]
§ Misfits and Magic
10 4 Jun 30, 2021 Jul 21, 2021
A parody of Harry Potter with American exchange students at a British magical academy. The campaign uses the Kids on Brooms system, and is the first with a guest GM, and first in‑studio after the COVID-19 pandemic. [46]
[47]
[48]
^ The Seven
11 10 Aug 18, 2021 Oct 20, 2021
The Seven Maidens, an adventuring party formed after the events of Fantasy High: Freshman Year, must go on a dangerous quest to prevent their party from being disbanded when their senior-year members graduate. The campaign used digital tabletop system TaleSpire for encounters and battles.[49] [49]
Δ Shriek Week
12 4 Nov 10, 2021 Dec 1, 2021
  • Ify Nwadiwe as Terry Talbo
  • Ally Beardsley as Megan Mirror
  • Lily Du as Tuti IV
  • Dani Fernandez as Seven
  • Gabe Hicks as the Game Master
 Monstrous "children of horror icons" find love and investigate a mystery in their first week as seniors at prestigious monster/human learning institution Bram University.[50] Uses the Mythic system created by guest GM Gabe Hicks. [50]
* A Starstruck Odyssey
13 18 Jan 12, 2022 May 11, 2022
A campaign in the sci-fi Starstruck universe, which was co-created by Elaine Lee (Mulligan's mother) and Michael Kaluta, following the adventures of a crew of a ragtag space ship trying to save the galaxy. It uses the Star Wars 5e role-playing system. [51]
[52]
[53]
Δ Coffin Run
14 6 Jun 8, 2022 Jul 13, 2022
  • Isabella Roland as Dr. Aleksandr Astrovsky
  • Zac Oyama as Squing
  • Carlos Luna as Wetzel
  • Erika Ishii as May Wong
  • Jasmine Bhullar as the Game Master
 A comedic vampire road trip where Dracula's entourage must return a nearly-dead Dracula to Transylvania – or die. The game uses a modified version of D&D 5th Edition. [54]
§ A Court of Fey and Flowers
15 10 Aug 3, 2022 Oct 5, 2022
In a Regency era-inspired Fae Court, several of the realm's most prestigious aristocrats attend an event known as the Bloom. It utilizes 5e and Good Society game systems. [55]
* Neverafter
16 20 Nov 30, 2022 Apr 12, 2023
Marketed as "the horror season," featuring classic fairy tale characters whose stories have become twisted and violent as their land, the Neverafter, is corrupted by dark forces. [56]
Δ The Ravening War
17 6 May 10, 2023 Jun 14, 2023
A prequel to the previous campaign A Crown Of Candy set 20 years earlier, in which a disparate group of nobles are blackmailed into furthering the aims of a mysterious religious sect as the land of Comida slides into civil war. [57]
[58]
^ Dungeons and Drag Queens
18 4 Jun 28, 2023 Jul 19, 2023
A high fantasy adventure where four adventurers, played by stars of RuPaul's Drag Race, descend into the underworld. [59]
[60]
^ Mentopolis
19 6 Aug 9, 2023 Sep 13, 2023
A homage to hard-boiled detective stories and film noir, set inside a human brain. Uses a homebrewed version of the Kids on Bikes system. [61]
§ Burrow's End
20 10 Oct 4, 2023 Dec 6, 2023
When their home is destroyed, a family of stoats is forced to fight to survive in the threatening Blue Forest. Inspired by Watership Down, Annihilation and The Secret of NIMH, as well as Redwall and The Animals of Farthing Wood. [62]
[63]
[64]
[65]
* Fantasy High: Junior Year
21 20 Jan 10, 2024 May 22, 2024 See Fantasy High above A continuation of the original Fantasy High campaign. The Bad Kids struggle with their academic workload while investigating a rival adventuring party. This season features more elaborate projections made by season artist Cait May, along with a theme song by Sarah Barrios. [66]
^ Never Stop Blowing Up
22 10 Jun 26, 2024 Aug 28, 2024
A group of strip mall employees are sucked into a magic VHS tape, becoming characters in an '80s action movie, and must find a way to escape. The game uses a home-brewed system, titled Never Stop Blowing Up, which is based on the Kids on Bikes system. [67][68]
§ Misfits and Magic: Season 2
23 11 Sep 25, 2024 Dec 4, 2024 See Misfits and Magic above A continuation of the original Misfits and Magic campaign set three years later, in which the pilot program members reunite to investigate the disappearance of magic from the world. The campaign uses the Never Stop Making Magic system which is a custom mix of the Kids on Brooms system and Dropout's Never Stop System. [69][70][71]

One-shots

[edit]

Dropout has released multiple one-shot adventures, in addition to their full-length campaigns. Four have been extensions of the Fantasy High campaigns, including Dimension 20: Fantasy High! Live! at The Bell House (with Brian David Gilbert),[72][73] Fantasy High LIVE at RTX Austin (with Griffin McElroy),[74] College Visit (RTX @ Home Live),[75] and Boys' Night! (Roll20Con),[76] while two have been continuations of Misfits & Magic, consisting of the Misfits & Magic Holiday Special[52] and Misfits & Magic Live at GenCon 2022 (Iyengar as GM, with players Noxweiler Berf, Michelle Nguyen Bradley, Markeia McCarty, Becca Scott).[77]

Production

[edit]

Filming and set design

[edit]
Picture of the dome set taken from outside the dome during filming.
The dome set viewed from the outside during Fantasy High (2018).[78]
Picture of the A Starstruck Odyssey set which shows the table, light and camera layout.
The set for A Starstruck Odyssey (2022) which uses curved walls.[79]

In the late 2010s, the format pioneered by Critical Role — with the cast performing live in a full table multi-camera composite — had come to dominate actual play. Dimension 20 does not, however, follow this convention, but rather alternates between several cameras, which are presented full screen.[80] With a typical episode runtime between two and three hours, Dimension 20 episodes also tend to be shorter than Critical Role episodes.[4] The players were originally surrounded by a colored geodesic dome, with lighting adjusted scene by scene or images projected on its panels.[80][78] Mulligan explained that "the idea of having the polyhedral dome as the center set piece of our set is an homage to the sort of polyhedral dice that make up a lot of these role-playing games".[78] He described it as a "crystal cave" that "can go from a frosty fantasy feeling" to "more of a Fortress of Solitude, Sci Fi vibe", which allows the show to shift genre as needed.[78] The set remained a dome through the filming of Fantasy High: Sophomore Year (2019); in subsequent campaigns, the set utilizes curved walls instead of a dome.[79]

In an interview, director Michael Schaubach highlighted that Kenny Keeler, the original director of photography, started with a Dana dolly and that "in the years since, Schaubach has overseen the quest for a different, even more articulable jib, updated cameras, an LED projection system that can add shadows and animation onto the walls of the set, and, in Burrow's End, audio recordings presented as artifacts".[81] Graham Sheldon, the director of photography for Neverafter (2022), stated that they typically used five cameras when filming the campaign with a setup that allowed closeup overhead shots of the maps and miniatures. Sheldon commented that while there is pre-planning to give "everyone a good sense of where things might go" during filming, the improvisational aspect of the show often required people "to hop on additional cameras to follow the action".[82] Sheldon also highlighted that the director tracked "moments in real time that might be a good insert moment later for the minis" and "DP Kevin Stiller was able to shoot the mini closeups as a 2nd unit, occasionally while the main season was still filming in parallel".[82] Multiple episodes are generally shot back to back, with editing taking place over several days for the batch. The format does add cost to the production, but the approach allows for the removal of pauses and the inclusion of post-production elements such as character art, illustrations, and footage of the battle terrain.[80]

Game system

[edit]

Most Dimension 20 campaigns use the Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition system, however, several have used other role-playing game systems such as Kids on Bikes.[83][84] In 2024, Dimension 20 used a new home-brewed system for the 22nd campaign both of which were titled Never Stop Blowing Up. This system is based on Kids on Bikes.[68][85] This system was then further customized, as the Never Stop Making Magic system, for the second season of Misfits and Magic.[71]

In November 2024, Dropout released the Never Stop Blowing Up system for free on their website. The game system was designed primarily to work well for their filmed actual play show with less focus on game balance. On the usability of the system, Dimension 20 producer Carlos Luna stated, "We're not game designers. This is not a system that will stand the test of time. Hell, you'd be lucky if it lasted one whole session. But, I will say I think that would be a really fun session".[86]

Supplementary shows

[edit]

Fantasy High: Extra Credit is a show that discusses the specifics about the first season, Fantasy High. Beginning with A Crown Of Candy, Dropout began airing a Dimension 20 Q&A and talkback show called Adventuring Party, in which the cast would discuss the most recently recorded episode. The first four seasons centered around A Crown Of Candy, Pirates of Leviathan, The Unsleeping City: Chapter II, and Mice & Murder, which were all filmed remotely and aired live following the release of the episode of Dimension 20 aired that week, where fans submitted questions for Mulligan and the cast to answer. Once filming resumed in The Dome, however, the format changed to that of a commentary talkback show pre-recorded immediately after the filming of the previous episode.[87]

Dropout also publishes the supplementary show the Adventuring Academy which discuss elements of role-playing.[33]

In January 2024, Dropout released the behind-the-scenes documentary titled The Legendary Rick Perry and the Art of Dimension 20, which focuses on the work done by the show's production designer and creative producer Rick Perry.[81][88]

Reception

[edit]

CBR warmly received the show, describing it as "among the best of its kind". The review highlighted the arc-based format, which keeps the story fast paced and allows the rotation of new players and voices in the space.[42] The show has also been praised for its positive LGBTQ representation, with multiple characters exploring their sexualities during the first two seasons of Fantasy High.[33]

Glen Weldon, for NPR in 2021, wrote: "Mulligan is such a good DM and he's got so many improv skills. He's such a close and responsive listener that no matter what the players throw at him, he can always roll with it, without breaking the game. And that is a very rare skill, so it's terrific stuff".[89] Weldon compared the show to Critical Role and highlighted that the cast is "sketch and improv comedians. While the folks at Critical Role are often very funny, they're actors. [...] At Dimension 20, if they can go for a joke, they're going to go for the joke, and that might line up closer to my sensibility".[89] Moises Taveras, for Paste in 2023, also highlighted the improvisational nature of the show and how the game mechanics of dice rolls "sets Dimension 20 apart from the rest of TV".[8] Taveras stated that "I can't predict a thing that's going to happen thanks to the insanely successful marriage of this mechanic to the cast's improvisational skills. There's nary a moment, whether it be a rousing victory or an utter defeat, that doesn't propel these characters forward in some way and carve out a unique, player-driven story. And because they are improvised rather than written, the characters feel like authentic people, even if they are fanciful in nature".[8]

In 2023, Lauren Coates of Polygon highlighted how the anthology format allows Dimension 20 to reinvent itself and span "a vast variety of genres, styles, and tones" with their seasons "consistent in their ability to deliver across comedic, narrative, and emotional fronts".[90] Coates commented that "as funny as the series is, it isn't just Dimension 20's sense of humor that makes it so beloved; it's the consistently heartfelt, poignant storytelling that accompanies it. There's incredible emotional depth to each new world of Dimension 20, as players and game masters collaboratively craft thoughtful, absorbing arcs tailored to each player and character".[90] In 2024, Christopher Cruz of Rolling Stone opined that "one of the most unique aspects of Dimension 20 is the creative way in which they frame their campaigns" and that "the unique pop cultural spins on each story that push the diversity of storytelling, with many campaigns functioning as parodies of famous fantasy classics".[27] Cruz also highlighted that it is not only "the familiar narrative hooks" which make the show "so accessible" but also "its strong focus on diverse voices and socially relevant themes woven into the framework. Cast members and characters feature representation across the BIPOC and LGTBQ communities and stories told are often deeply personal and affecting".[27]

Campaign reviews

[edit]
See also: Misfits and Magic § Reception

Justin Carter, in a review of A Starstruck Odyssey for Gizmodo, stated that "the consistency with which Dimension 20 shakes things up has helped give it a different kind of longevity compared to some of its fellow actual play titans, and each season [...] is able to feel like a natural part of the franchise while also its own distinct thing".[91] Carter highlighted that "several of the season's best events are too good to spoil, but every episode has at least two moments of incredible, often hilarious roleplaying from the cast. [...] Starstruck's blend of strange humor and character drama feels a little bit more reined in than some earlier seasons and not prone to bits that could admittedly go on a little longer than necessary".[91] Carter commented that this season has an infectious joy to it and that it takes the "fun to new, cosmic heights".[91]

Rowan Zeoli, in a review of Dungeons and Drag Queens for Polygon, commented that the season "embraces the LGBTQ+ community in no uncertain terms" and that "in a time when the LGBTQ+ community is under constant attack, Dungeons and Drag Queens is a beacon of nerdy, queer joy".[60] Zeoli highlighted that the cast "experiences the range of emotions your first D&D campaign can evoke" with the season offering "an easy and entertaining access point for queer people who have never felt safe entering D&D's complex (and occasionally infuriating) world of rules, lore, and role-play. One could watch these four episodes, along with a few episodes of Adventuring Party, and walk away with a basic grasp of the game".[60]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Two live episodes were also recorded and are listed on Dropout as part of the first season, for a total of 19 episodes. One of these guest stars Griffin McElroy.
  1. ^ "CollegeHumor Launches Brand New Comedy Subscription Service, DROPOUT". pastemagazine.com. September 26, 2018. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Sheehan, Gavin (December 17, 2018). "INTERVIEW: CollegeHumor's Dimension 20: Fantasy High". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  3. ^ "About | Not Another D&D Podcast". Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Teh, Cheryl (August 1, 2024). "These 7 comedians built a business playing 'Dungeons & Dragons.' Now they're taking that magic to Madison Square Garden". Business Insider. Archived from the original on August 3, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  5. ^ Heim, Bec (January 2, 2023). "Dimension 20: All Intrepid Hero Campaigns, Ranked". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  6. ^ Hall, Charlie (September 26, 2023). "Dimension 20's Fantasy High cast will return for Junior Year this winter". Polygon. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "IAC Explores Sale of College Humor Parent CH Media". Bloomberg.com. October 28, 2019. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Taveras, Moises (May 26, 2023). "How Dimension 20 Restored My Appetite For Television". Paste. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  9. ^ Stephen, Bijan (January 8, 2020). "Almost everyone at CollegeHumor is fired as new owner asks the internet for help". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Dropout Review". PCMAG. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  11. ^ "Dimension 20 Update: A Safe Return to the Dome". Dropout. May 24, 2021. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  12. ^ "DIMENSION 20 Brings Aabria Iyengar in to GM MISFITS AND MAGIC Releasing This Month". GeekTyrant. June 18, 2021. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  13. ^ "Sam Reich on Dropout and 'Game Changer' season six : It's Been a Minute : NPR". NPR. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  14. ^ Zambrano, J. R. (July 16, 2022). "D&D: Dimension 20 Auctions Crown Of Candy Minis Next Week". Bell of Lost Souls. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  15. ^ "Dimension 20: Fantasy High Minis Auction". YouTube. February 26, 2024. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  16. ^ "What Does the SAG-AFTRA Strike Mean for Actual Play Shows?". Gizmodo. July 15, 2023. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Reich, Sam [@samreich] (July 15, 2023). "Dropout production is right now on hold. Because we aren't associated with the AMPTP, it's possible we may be able to reach an interim agreement with SAG that allows us to continue to produce content during the strike. [THREAD]" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ^ Reich, Sam [@samreich] (August 8, 2023). "Dropout is back in production. 🫡 Details below. 👇 [Thread]" (Tweet). Retrieved August 8, 2023 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Carter, Justin (August 8, 2023). "Streaming Platform Dropout Is Resuming Production". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  20. ^ a b "Dimension 20: Live in London – Time Quangle Review". Tabletop Gaming. April 24, 2024. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  21. ^ Hoffer, Christian (August 28, 2023). "Dimension 20 Announces First Live Shows". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  22. ^ a b McCauley, Tara (April 11, 2024). "Dimension 20 Tickets are Selling for More Than Taylor Swift Tickets". The Escapist. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c Intreglia, Courtney Mifsud (September 18, 2024). "Live Performances of Dungeons & Dragons Are Filling Stadiums and Going Mainstream". TIME. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  24. ^ Hoffer, Christian (April 8, 2024). "Dimension 20 to Host Show at Madison Square Garden in 2025". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  25. ^ Zambrano, J. R. (April 15, 2024). "Dimension 20 Addresses Ticketing Situation After Madison Square Garden Sells Like the Eras Tour". Bell of Lost Souls. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  26. ^ Heim, Bec (January 2, 2023). "Dimension 20: All Intrepid Hero Campaigns, Ranked". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  27. ^ a b c Cruz, Christopher (January 22, 2024). "Streaming Is Introducing a New Generation to Dungeons & Dragons". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  28. ^ a b Ashcroft, Helen (March 6, 2024). "Dimension 20: All Intrepid Heroes Campaigns, Ranked". TheGamer. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Dimension 20 🎲 [@dimension20show] (June 16, 2021). "✨Dimension 20: Misfits and Magic✨ Game Master: Aabria Iyengar (@quiddie) Cast: -Lou Wilson -Erika Ishii (@erikaishii) -Danielle Radford (@danielleradford) -Brennan Lee Mulligan (@BrennanLM) A 4 episode event launching June 30th on @dropout. FAQ here: https://t.co/Oj38aL2DgF https://t.co/MS5HB8aSvf" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ a b "DIMENSION 20 Brings Aabria Iyengar in to GM MISFITS AND MAGIC Releasing This Month". GeekTyrant. June 18, 2021. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  31. ^ @dropout (September 26, 2018). "Puberty: the time in every girl's life when she sprouts horns and finds out her mom F*&#'d an actual DEMON. Or maybe that's just @eaxford Get the whole gang's backstory in Fantasy High episode 1! -> https://buff.ly/2OQ6W0X #DROPOUT #DnD #dungeonsanddragons" (Tweet). Retrieved September 18, 2023 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ "Dimension 20: Fantasy High – Lord of the Rings Meets John Hughes On College Humor". Bleeding Cool. March 23, 2019. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  33. ^ a b c "Dungeons & Dragons: How Actual-Play Shows Are Boosting LGBTQ Representation". CBR. June 14, 2020. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  34. ^ "CollegeHumor's Dimension 20 Prepares For New Season of 'Dungeons & Dragons' Madness". ComicBook.com. May 2, 2019. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  35. ^ "Best D&D podcasts and web series, from Critical Role to High Rollers". Tech Radar. April 2, 2021. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  36. ^ Plante, Corey (July 8, 2019). "'Dimension 20' Season 3: Meet the D&D Cast of "Unsleeping City" (Exclusive)". Inverse. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  37. ^ "Dimension 20's The Unsleeping City Shows the Flexibility and Storytelling Power of Dungeons & Dragons". ComicBook.com. August 19, 2019. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  38. ^ "Queer Dungeons & Dragons Players Are Adventuring From Home". Advocate. February 23, 2021. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  39. ^ "Dimension 20 Teams Up With the McElroys for Next Dungeons & Dragons Campaign". ComicBook.com. October 7, 2019. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  40. ^ "Dimension 20's A Crown of Candy shows the sweet and sour sides of nobility". The Peak. July 19, 2020. Archived from the original on July 30, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  41. ^ "DIMENSION 20: A CROWN OF CANDY Is and Isn't What You'd Expect from a Mix of D&D, CANDY LAND, and DROPOUT". Geek Tyrant. June 2020. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  42. ^ a b "Dungeons & Dragons: Dimension 20 Is a TOTALLY Different Take On Actual-Play". CBR. October 8, 2020. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  43. ^ "Pirates of Leviathan Continues to Push the Boundaries of Dungeons & Dragons". ComicBook.com. October 12, 2020. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  44. ^ Sheehan, Gavin (October 30, 2020). "Dimension 20 Announces The Unsleeping City Season Two". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  45. ^ "INTERVIEW: Dimension 20 - Brennan Lee Mulligan Unravels the Mystery of Mice & Murder". CBR. April 8, 2021. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  46. ^ "DIMENSION 20 Brings Aabria Iyengar in to GM MISFITS AND MAGIC Releasing This Month". GeekTyrant. June 2021. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  47. ^ Dimension 20: Misfits and Magic Trailer. Dimension 20. June 16, 2021. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via YouTube.
  48. ^ Dimension 20 🎲 [@dimension20show] (June 17, 2021). "Kids on Brooms is such a truly fun and wonderful system. If you haven't seen it in action before, Misfits and Magic will help you out. https://t.co/PFcNhUrJua" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  49. ^ a b Good, Owen S. (July 28, 2021). "Dimension 20 goes back to school with a new season this August". Polygon. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  50. ^ a b Hall, Charlie (October 27, 2021). "Dimension 20's next season is a 4-part series called Shriek Week". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  51. ^ Lee, Elaine [@DeEeLee] (November 3, 2021). "Big Announcement! A new season of Dimension 20, the D&D actual play series created by my son, Brennan Lee Mulligan, will be set in the Starstruck Multiverse! A STARSTRUCK ODYSSEY will air in January on DropoutTV! Check out part 3 of this teaser below! https://t.co/9Mu66dqAQb" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Twitter.
  52. ^ a b Dimension 20 🎲 [@dimension20show] (November 3, 2021). "❄️Wanna know what Dimension 20 is bringing you this winter? 🗓️Well, we have some good news...🧛✨🪐 🤔FAQ here: https://t.co/4cGyklhRk6 #Dimension20 https://t.co/zr9wIhLwLM" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  53. ^ "Watch the Trailer for the New DIMENSION 20: A STARSTRUCK ODYSSEY Based on the STARSTRUCK Comics". GeekTyrant. January 8, 2022. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  54. ^ "Dimension 20: Coffin Run is Next Season of Dropout TTRPG Show". Gizmodo. May 25, 2022. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  55. ^ "Dimension 20: A Court of Fey & Flowers Trailer". Dropout. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  56. ^ Hall, Charlie (October 12, 2022). "Dimension 20 is dropping the cuddly act with a new hardcore horror D&D actual play series". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  57. ^ Hall, Charlie (April 19, 2023). "Critical Role's Matt Mercer will lead Dimension 20's Crown of Candy prequel". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  58. ^ "Dimension 20 and Critical Role's Matthew Mercer Unite in Ravening War". Gizmodo. April 19, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  59. ^ "Dungeons and Drag Queens Debuts a Fabulous, Fearsome Foursome". Gizmodo. June 15, 2023. Archived from the original on June 17, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  60. ^ a b c Zeoli, Rowan (July 19, 2023). "Dimension 20's Dungeons and Drag Queens is a cultural reset for queer nerds". Polygon. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  61. ^ Carter, Chase (July 26, 2023). "Dimension 20's new Mentopolis series is a noir-flavoured RPG mind romp featuring Hank Green and Freddie Wong". Dicebreaker. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  62. ^ Carter, Chase (September 20, 2023). "Dimension 20 evokes Watership Down in new D&D actual play season featuring a family of stoats". Dicebreaker. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  63. ^ Marshall, Cass (September 20, 2023). "Dimension 20 returns with an adventure starring a family of stoats". Polygon. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  64. ^ Coley, Samantha (October 4, 2023). "'Dimension 20's Aabria Iyengar Reveals the Inspiration for 'Burrow's End' DND Campaign". Collider. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  65. ^ "Hello! We're Dimension 20: Burrow's End's Aabria Iyengar and Michael Schaubach - AMA!". Reddit. October 18, 2023. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  66. ^ Hall, Charlie (December 13, 2023). "Dimension 20 returns for Junior Year at Fantasy High". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  67. ^ Polo, Susana (June 5, 2024). "Dimension 20's next season does '80s action movies, Jumanji style". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  68. ^ a b "Dropout releases official trailer for Dimension 20: Never Stop Blowing Up". Rascal News. June 5, 2024. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024. In a comment to Rascal, a spokesperson confirmed that the game will be played using a system called Never Stop Blowing Up—a homebrewed system heavily inspired by Hunters Entertainment's Kids on Bikes
  69. ^ Buenahora, Andrés (September 4, 2024). "Dropout Sets 'Dimension 20: Misfits & Magic' Season 2". Variety. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  70. ^ Teh, Cheryl. "Hit streaming show 'Dimension 20' is raring to go with an all-new season of 'Misfits and Magic'". Business Insider. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  71. ^ a b "Dimension 20: Misfits & Magic Season 2 FAQ". Google Docs (Press release). Dimension 20. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  72. ^ "Fantasy High LIVE in Brooklyn". Dimension 20. June 24, 2019. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  73. ^ doNYC (June 24, 2019). "Dimension 20: Fantasy High! Live! at The Bell House". doNYC. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  74. ^ Brennan Lee Mulligan [@BrennanLM] (July 2, 2019). "Dimension 20 LIVE returns this Friday at #RTX in Austin! Get ready for a new adventure in the world of Fantasy High with @eaxford, @chmurph, @vornietom, @ZacOyama, @agbeardsley and special guest @griffinmcelroy as FICUS!! https://t.co/XiS35QdM9M" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Twitter.
  75. ^ Dimension 20 🎲 [@dimension20show] (September 29, 2020). "The live Fantasy High one-shot from @RTXEvent is now live on @dropout! The Bad Kids visit the adventuring college of Astral Sea University! Check it out! https://t.co/VTbwp0E9tE" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  76. ^ Dimension 20 🎲 [@dimension20show] (October 24, 2020). "The VOD of Fantasy High: Boys' Night will be available on https://t.co/YSmV3KNPwM shortly! We'll update you when it's on the platform!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  77. ^ Misfits & Magic LIVE | Gen Con 2022 - genconmainstage on Twitch, August 21, 2022, archived from the original on June 16, 2023, retrieved June 16, 2023
  78. ^ a b c d The Making of Fantasy High (YouTube). Dimension 20. December 27, 2018. Event occurs at 0:45. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  79. ^ a b Schaubach, Michael [@mschaubach] (January 15, 2022). "It was a dome until Fantasy High: Sophomore Year. Then we switched to these curved walls" (Tweet). Retrieved May 7, 2023 – via Twitter.
  80. ^ a b c Friedman, Em (September 14, 2022). "How the first decade of actual play has defined the template". Polygon. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  81. ^ a b Shachat, Sarah (December 21, 2023). "How 'Dimension 20' Brings Tabletop RPGs to Life — and Zombie Bear Death". IndieWire. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  82. ^ a b Sheldon, Graham (November 30, 2022). "Making Magic on the Set of Dimension 20: Neverafter". SIGMA Blog. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  83. ^ Ashcroft, Helen (January 26, 2024). "Dimension 20 Is The Perfect Introduction To Dungeons & Dragons". TheGamer. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  84. ^ Zachary, Brandon (June 27, 2024). "Dimension 20 Beginners Guide: Where To Start & What You Need To Know". ScreenRant. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  85. ^ Hoffer, Christian (June 8, 2024). "Dimension 20 Announces New Season, Featuring Homebrewed Version of Kids on Bikes". ComicBook.com. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  86. ^ Polo, Susana (November 14, 2024). "Finally, Dimension 20 fans can Never Stop Blowing Up at their own home tables". Polygon. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  87. ^ "Dimension 20's Adventuring Party". Dropout. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.(subscription required)
  88. ^ Hall, Charlie (December 20, 2023). "Dimension 20 documentary sweats the small stuff, focusing on master of miniatures Rick Perry". Polygon. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  89. ^ a b Weldon, Glen; Rosario, Daisy; Searles, Jourdain; Klimek, Chris; Holmes, Linda (October 8, 2021). "What's making us happy: A guide for your weekend watching, listening and reading". NPR. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  90. ^ a b Coates, Lauren (September 22, 2023). "Dimension 20 broke all the actual play rules to become the best D&D show around". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  91. ^ a b c "Dimension 20 Gets Its Sci-Fi Heist On with A Starstruck Odyssey". Gizmodo. May 6, 2022. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dimension_20&oldid=1261233961"