Macmillian Publishers, part of the German Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, will handle US and international sales and distribution for the Daggerheart Core Set, Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, Candela Obscura Core Rulebook, and new titles in 2026 and 2027.
These are TTRPGs from Critical Role’s publishing arm Darrington Press.
Daggerheart is the first high fantasy TTRPG from the publisher, due this Spring and in time to be part of Critical Role’s 10th anniversary.
Ed Lopez, Chief Operating Offer of Critical Role, told the press;
Crafting and inspiring storytelling through games has always been our passion, and our partnership with Macmillan will allow us to share our roleplaying books to an even broader audience,”
Critical Role has effectively transformed from a casual roleplaying game among friends into a vibrant actual play streaming sensation. Today, it thrives as an innovative independent media company, showcasing its remarkable growth and impact within the entertainment industry. The offerings include fiction and nonfiction books from the New York Times Best Sellers list, comic books, graphic novels, tabletop and role-playing games, podcasts, live events, and the acclaimed animated series, The Legend of Vox Machina, available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Liz Tzetzo, VP, Publisher Services and Distribution for Macmillan Publishers;
We are thrilled to partner with Darrington Press. Critical Role and Darrington Press have a passionate following and their creative vision makes them leaders in the TTRPG world. We look forward to bringing their books to a wider trade audience.”
Macmillan Publishers sales and distribution deal with Darrington Press is a strategic partnership that benefits both companies. For Darrington Press, the deal gets them access to Macmillan’s network of bookstores and online retailers, significantly the amount of places who could sell their games.
With a dedicated sales force and marketing team, Macmillan can effectively target retailers and consumers, increasing sales and building brand awareness for Darrington Press. The deal also tackles logistical challenges for Darrington Press, as Macmillan will confront the pains of warehousing and shipping. Darrington Press gets to focus on creating content.
From Macmillan’s perspective, this partnership offers several advantages. The company, with lots of publishers in their own network, gets to nudge deeper into the market for tabletop roleplaying games, a segment where Darrington Press, with its connection to Critical Role, has a strong presence. Additionally, associating with a well-respected brand like Darrington Press can enhance Macmillan’s own reputation and attract new customers.
Quick Links
- Is it out yet? Daggerheart
Take part in Geek Native's community by sharing a comment below.
