Dimension 20is atabletop role-playing gameshow produced by and broadcast onDropout,and created and generally hosted byBrennan Lee Mulliganas the show's regular Dungeon Master. Most of the games useDungeons & Dragons5th 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.

Dimension 20
Genre
Created byBrennan Lee Mulligan
Based onDungeons & Dragons5th edition
Directed byMichael Schaubach
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No.of seasons22
No.of episodes245 (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)

History

edit

Origins at CollegeHumor (2018–2020)

edit

Dimension20originated as a production forDropout,a streaming service launched byCollegeHumorin 2018 to deliver content with R-rated material or an unusual format.Dimension20was 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 beenDMingsince the age of 10 and had a background as aLARPwriter. He had been the dungeon master for a private campaign with most of the principal cast ofDimension 20,only lackingLou WilsonandAlly Beardsley.[2]

The series' launch took place amid a "renaissance" ofactual playshows. Mulligan cited a number of existing tabletop shows as inspiration forDimension20,includingNot Another D&D Podcast(NADDPod),The Adventure ZoneandCritical Role.[2]One such show,NADDPod,featuresEmily AxfordandBrian Murphy,who would joinDimension20's primary cast.[3]Guests were also drawn fromCritical RoleandThe Adventure Zoneearly on in the show's run –Matt Mercerfirst appeared inEscape from the BloodkeepandGriffin McElroyappeared in a live episode ofFantasy Highin 2019. The full cast ofThe Adventure Zoneappeared inTiny Heistin early 2020.

The show debuted in 2018 with the first season ofFantasy High.[4]A sequel to thiscampaign,titledFantasy High: Sophomore Year,premiered in 2019. Episodes ofFantasy High: Sophomore Yearwere streamed live onTwitch,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 theCOVID-19 pandemic.[5]Announced on the fifth anniversary ofDimension20,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 apivot to Facebook videoin 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, theDimension 20cast 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 asCalifornia's stay at home orderswere put into effect.[9]CollegeHumor was rebranded as Dropout and continued to produce content, heavily focusing onDimension 20.[10]

Return to studio production and success (2021–present)

edit

On May24, 2021, Brennan Lee Mulligan announced thatDimension20and other CollegeHumor projects would resume production in-person and in-studio, adhering to COVID safety guidelines set bySAG-AFTRAand 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 ofDimension 20.The proceeds from the auctions go towards funding future seasons of the show, as well as to charitable causes. This began withA Crown of Candypieces.[14]AFantasy Highauction in 2024 donated 100% of profit to thePalestine Children's Relief Fund,and for the first time included scenery pieces and segments of theDungeon Master's screen.[15]

During the2023 SAG-AFTRA strike,production onDimension20initially shut down.[16]In July 2023, Dropout CEOSam Reichstated that as Dropout is not a member of theAMPTP,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]

Dimension20at theHammersmith Apolloduring the 2024 UK and Ireland tour.

In April 2024,Dimension20underwent 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 atMadison Square GardenentitledGauntlet at the Gardenis also scheduled for January 24, 2025.[4][22]As the venue's ticketing is managed byTicketmaster,asurge pricingalgorithm meant that tickets were briefly selling for thousands of dollars, at higher prices than comparableTaylor Swifttickets.[22][23]Dimension 20issued 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 playersEmily Axford,Ally Beardsley,Brian Murphy,Zac Oyama,Siobhan Thompson,andLou 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: ChapterII,A Starstruck Odyssey,Neverafter,andFantasy High: Junior Year.[28]A 2024Time Quanglelive 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. TheTime Quangleperformances 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 wasDungeons and Drag Queenswhich featured notable contestants fromRuPaul'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 Iyengaris 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 thedungeon masterorgame masterof 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

Thecampaignsuse theDungeons & Dragons5th editionsystem, with Brennan Lee Mulligan as theDungeon Master(DM), unless otherwise stated. The DM orGame Master(GM) also createshouse rulesthat alter therole-playing game systemthe 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] Sep26, 2018 Jan9, 2019
Set in Elmville, an odd, anachronistic town resembling a high-fantasyJohn Hughesmovie. "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 Apr30, 2019 Jun4, 2019
The show's first "side quest" season, a parody ofThe Lord of the Rings.A cast of villains try to hide the death of theirSauron-esque leader from the rest of his evil armies. [34]
[35]
*The Unsleeping City
3 17 Jul9, 2019 Oct29, 2019
A campaign set in a magical version of modern-dayNew 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 Oct16, 2019 Apr3, 2020 SeeFantasy Highabove A continuation ofFantasy 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 toStay at Home ordersduring theCOVID-19 pandemic.
^Tiny Heist
5 6 Jan9, 2020 Feb13, 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 byThe BorrowersandToy Story,and featuring the McElroys fromThe Adventure Zone. [39]
*A Crown of Candy
6 17 Apr8, 2020 Aug5, 2020
Set in aCandy Land-inspired kingdom of Candia in aGame of Thrones-inspired setting of violence and political intrigue. Pre-recorded episodes, followed by a new live after-show with the cast (known asAdventuring Party) were released every Wednesday until the season finale. [40]
[41]
^Pirates of Leviathan
7 6 Sep16, 2020 Oct21, 2020
In the same universe asFantasy 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 Nov11, 2020 Mar10, 2021
Three years afterThe 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 tabletopRoll20instead of physical dice, sets and figurines. [44]
^Mice & Murder
9 10 Apr7, 2021 Jun9, 2021
  • Katie Marovitch as Gangie Green
  • Sam Reichas Buckster $ Boyd
  • Rekha Shankaras Daisy D'umpstaire
  • Raphael Chestang as Vicar Ian Prescott
  • Ally Beardsleyas Lars Vandenchomp
  • Grant O'Brien as Detective Sylvester Cross
An Edwardian murder mystery campaign inspired bySherlock Holmes,set in a world where characters are anthropomorphic animals, in the same vein asThe Wind in the Willows,attending the birthday party of a wealthy estate owner. Recorded remotely. [45]
§Misfits and Magic
10 4 Jun30, 2021 Jul21, 2021
A parody ofHarry Potterwith Americanexchange studentsat a British magical academy. The campaign uses theKids on Broomssystem, and is the first with a guestGM,and first in‑studio after the COVID-19 pandemic. [46]
[47]
[48]
^The Seven
11 10 Aug18, 2021 Oct20, 2021
The Seven Maidens, an adventuring party formed after the events ofFantasy 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]
ΔShriek Week
12 4 Nov10, 2021 Dec1, 2021
  • Ify Nwadiwe as Terry Talbo
  • Ally Beardsleyas 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 theMythicsystem created by guest GM Gabe Hicks. [50]
*A Starstruck Odyssey
13 18 Jan12, 2022 May11, 2022
A campaign in the sci-fiStarstruckuniverse, which was co-created byElaine Lee(Mulligan's mother) andMichael Kaluta,following the adventures of a crew of a ragtag space ship trying to save the galaxy. It uses theStar Wars 5erole-playing system. [51]
[52]
[53]
ΔCoffin Run
14 6 Jun8, 2022 Jul13, 2022
  • Isabella Roland as Dr. Aleksandr Astrovsky
  • Zac Oyama as Squing
  • Carlos Luna as Wetzel
  • Erika Ishiias May Wong
  • Jasmine Bhullar as the Game Master
A comedic vampire road trip whereDracula's entourage must return a nearly-dead Dracula toTransylvania– or die. The game uses a modified version ofD&D5th Edition. [54]
§A Court of Fey and Flowers
15 10 Aug3, 2022 Oct5, 2022
In aRegency era-inspired Fae Court, several of the realm's most prestigious aristocrats attend an event known as the Bloom. It utilizes5eandGood Societygame systems. [55]
*Neverafter
16 20 Nov30, 2022 Apr12, 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]
ΔThe Ravening War
17 6 May10, 2023 Jun14, 2023
A prequel to the previous campaignA Crown Of Candyset 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 Jun28, 2023 Jul19, 2023
A high fantasy adventure where four adventurers, played by stars ofRuPaul's Drag Race,descend into the underworld. [59]
[60]
^Mentopolis
19 6 Aug9, 2023 Sep13, 2023
A homage tohard-boiled detective storiesandfilm noir,set inside a human brain. Uses a homebrewed version of theKids on Bikessystem. [61]
§Burrow's End
20 10 Oct4, 2023 Dec6, 2023
When their home is destroyed, a family ofstoatsis forced to fight to survive in the threatening Blue Forest. Inspired byWatership Down,AnnihilationandThe Secret of NIMH,as well asRedwallandThe Animals of Farthing Wood. [62]
[63]
[64]
[65]
*Fantasy High: Junior Year
21 20 Jan10, 2024 May22, 2024 SeeFantasy Highabove A continuation of the originalFantasy Highcampaign. 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 Jun26, 2024 Aug28, 2024
A group ofstrip mallemployees are sucked into a magicVHStape, becoming characters in an '80saction movie,and must find a way to escape. The game uses a home-brewed system, titledNever Stop Blowing Up,which is based on theKids on Bikessystem. [67][68]
§Misfits and Magic: Season 2
23 11 Sep25, 2024 Dec4, 2024 SeeMisfits and Magicabove A continuation of the originalMisfits and Magiccampaign set three years later, in which the pilot program members reunite to investigate the disappearance of magic from the world. The campaign uses theNever Stop Making Magicsystem which is a custom mix of theKids on Broomssystem and Dropout'sNever 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 theFantasy Highcampaigns, includingDimension 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]andBoys' Night! (Roll20Con),[76]while two have been continuations ofMisfits & Magic,consisting of theMisfits & Magic Holiday Special[52]andMisfits & 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
The dome set viewed from the outside duringFantasy High(2018).[78]
The set forA Starstruck Odyssey(2022) which uses curved walls.[79]

In the late 2010s, the format pioneered byCritical Role— with the cast performing live in a full table multi-camera composite — had come to dominate actual play.Dimension 20does 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 20episodes also tend to be shorter thanCritical Roleepisodes.[4]The players were originally surrounded by a coloredgeodesic 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 ofpolyhedral dicethat 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 aFortress of Solitude,Sci Fi vibe ", which allows the show to shift genre as needed.[78]The set remained a dome through the filming ofFantasy 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 originaldirector of photography,started with a Danadollyand 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, inBurrow's End,audio recordings presented as artifacts ".[81]Graham Sheldon, the director of photography forNeverafter(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 a2nd 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

MostDimension 20campaigns use theDungeons & Dragons5th editionsystem, however, several have used otherrole-playing game systems such asKids on Bikes.[83][84]In 2024,Dimension 20used a newhome-brewedsystem for the 22nd campaign both of which were titledNever Stop Blowing Up.This system is based onKids on Bikes.[68][85]This system was then further customized, as theNever Stop Making Magicsystem, for the second season ofMisfits and Magic.[71]

In November 2024, Dropout released theNever Stop Blowing Upsystem 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 20producer 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

Dropout publishes additional videos that discuss elements of role-playing (Adventuring Academy)[33]or specifics about the first season (Fantasy High: Extra Credit). These are also released via YouTube.

Beginning withA Crown Of Candy,Dropout began airing aDimension 20Q&A and talkback show calledAdventuring Party,in which the cast would discuss the most recently recorded episode. The first four seasons centered aroundA Crown Of Candy,Pirates of Leviathan,The Unsleeping City: Chapter II,andMice & Murder,which were all filmed remotely and aired live following the release of the episode ofDimension 20aired 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]In January 2024, Dropout released thebehind-the-scenesdocumentary titledThe 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

CBRwarmly 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 positiveLGBTQrepresentation, with multiple characters exploring their sexualities during the first two seasons ofFantasy High.[33]

Glen Weldon,forNPRin 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 toCritical Roleand highlighted that the cast is "sketch and improv comedians. While the folks at Critical Role are often very funny, they're actors. [...] AtDimension 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, forPastein 2023, also highlighted the improvisational nature of the show and how the game mechanics of dice rolls "setsDimension 20apart 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 ofPolygonhighlighted how the anthology format allowsDimension 20to 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 justDimension 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 ofDimension 20,as players and game masters collaboratively craft thoughtful, absorbing arcs tailored to each player and character ".[90]In 2024, Christopher Cruz ofRolling Stoneopined that "one of the most unique aspects ofDimension 20is 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

Justin Carter, in a review ofA Starstruck OdysseyforGizmodo,stated that "the consistency with whichDimension 20shakes 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'sblend 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 ofDungeons and Drag QueensforPolygon,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 Queensis 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 ofAdventuring 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 starsGriffin McElroy.
  1. ^"CollegeHumor Launches Brand New Comedy Subscription Service, DROPOUT".pastemagazine.September 26, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on June 24, 2021.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
  2. ^abcSheehan, Gavin (December 17, 2018)."INTERVIEW: CollegeHumor's Dimension 20: Fantasy High".Bleeding Cool News And Rumors.Archivedfrom the original on January 26, 2021.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
  3. ^"About | Not Another D&D Podcast".Archivedfrom the original on October 10, 2023.RetrievedApril 22,2024.
  4. ^abcTeh, 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.Archivedfrom the original on August 3, 2024.RetrievedAugust 5,2024.
  5. ^Heim, Bec (January 2, 2023)."Dimension 20: All Intrepid Hero Campaigns, Ranked".ScreenRant.Archivedfrom the original on January 8, 2024.RetrievedSeptember 26,2023.
  6. ^Hall, Charlie (September 26, 2023)."Dimension 20's Fantasy High cast will return for Junior Year this winter".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on September 26, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 26,2023.
  7. ^"IAC Explores Sale of College Humor Parent CH Media".Bloomberg.October 28, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on September 4, 2020.RetrievedApril 23,2024.
  8. ^abcTaveras, Moises (May 26, 2023)."How Dimension 20 Restored My Appetite For Television".Paste.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2023.RetrievedApril 23,2024.
  9. ^Stephen, Bijan (January 8, 2020)."Almost everyone at CollegeHumor is fired as new owner asks the internet for help".The Verge.Archivedfrom the original on June 24, 2021.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
  10. ^ab"Dropout Review".PCMAG.Archivedfrom the original on February 3, 2024.RetrievedApril 24,2024.
  11. ^"Dimension 20 Update: A Safe Return to the Dome".Dropout.May 24, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedJuly 17,2023.
  12. ^"DIMENSION 20 Brings Aabria Iyengar in to GM MISFITS AND MAGIC Releasing This Month".GeekTyrant.June 18, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
  13. ^"Sam Reich on Dropout and 'Game Changer' season six: It's Been a Minute: NPR".NPR.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedApril 23,2024.
  14. ^Zambrano, J. R. (July 16, 2022)."D&D: Dimension 20 Auctions Crown Of Candy Minis Next Week".Bell of Lost Souls.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedApril 23,2024.
  15. ^"Dimension 20: Fantasy High Minis Auction".YouTube.February 26, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedApril 23,2024.
  16. ^"What Does the SAG-AFTRA Strike Mean for Actual Play Shows?".Gizmodo.July 15, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on July 16, 2023.RetrievedJuly 16,2023.
  17. ^abReich, 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) – viaTwitter.
  18. ^Reich, Sam [@samreich](August 8, 2023)."Dropout is back in production. 🫡 Details below. 👇 [Thread]"(Tweet).RetrievedAugust 8,2023– viaTwitter.
  19. ^Carter, Justin (August 8, 2023)."Streaming Platform Dropout Is Resuming Production".Gizmodo.Archivedfrom the original on August 9, 2023.RetrievedAugust 8,2023.
  20. ^ab"Dimension 20: Live in London – Time Quangle Review".Tabletop Gaming.April 24, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on May 3, 2024.RetrievedMay 3,2024.
  21. ^Hoffer, Christian (August 28, 2023)."Dimension 20 Announces First Live Shows".ComicBook.Archivedfrom the original on August 31, 2023.RetrievedApril 22,2024.
  22. ^abMcCauley, Tara (April 11, 2024)."Dimension 20 Tickets are Selling for More Than Taylor Swift Tickets".The Escapist.Archivedfrom the original on April 19, 2024.RetrievedApril 23,2024.
  23. ^abcIntreglia, Courtney Mifsud (September 18, 2024)."Live Performances of Dungeons & Dragons Are Filling Stadiums and Going Mainstream".TIME.RetrievedSeptember 21,2024.
  24. ^Hoffer, Christian (April 8, 2024)."Dimension 20 to Host Show at Madison Square Garden in 2025".ComicBook.Archivedfrom the original on April 18, 2024.RetrievedApril 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.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedApril 23,2024.
  26. ^Heim, Bec (January 2, 2023)."Dimension 20: All Intrepid Hero Campaigns, Ranked".ScreenRant.Archivedfrom the original on January 8, 2024.RetrievedSeptember 26,2023.
  27. ^abcCruz, Christopher (January 22, 2024)."Streaming Is Introducing a New Generation to Dungeons & Dragons".Rolling Stone.RetrievedNovember 14,2024.
  28. ^abAshcroft, Helen (March 6, 2024)."Dimension 20: All Intrepid Heroes Campaigns, Ranked".TheGamer.Archivedfrom the original on August 5, 2024.RetrievedJune 1,2024.
  29. ^abDimension 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).Archivedfrom the original on October 31, 2021.RetrievedMarch 8,2022– viaTwitter.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ab"DIMENSION 20 Brings Aabria Iyengar in to GM MISFITS AND MAGIC Releasing This Month".GeekTyrant.June 18, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedJune 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).RetrievedSeptember 18,2023– viaTwitter.
  32. ^"Dimension 20: Fantasy High – Lord of the Rings Meets John Hughes On College Humor".Bleeding Cool.March 23, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on August 11, 2020.RetrievedJune 24,2021.
  33. ^abc"Dungeons & Dragons: How Actual-Play Shows Are Boosting LGBTQ Representation".CBR.June 14, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2021.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
  34. ^"CollegeHumor's Dimension 20 Prepares For New Season of 'Dungeons & Dragons' Madness".ComicBook.May 2, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on September 29, 2020.RetrievedJune 24,2021.
  35. ^"Best D&D podcasts and web series, from Critical Role to High Rollers".Tech Radar.April 2, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on May 1, 2021.RetrievedJune 24,2021.
  36. ^Plante, Corey (July 8, 2019)."'Dimension 20' Season 3: Meet the D&D Cast of "Unsleeping City" (Exclusive) ".Inverse.Archivedfrom the original on June 24, 2021.RetrievedJune 24,2021.
  37. ^"Dimension 20's The Unsleeping City Shows the Flexibility and Storytelling Power of Dungeons & Dragons".ComicBook.August 19, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on June 24, 2021.RetrievedJune 24,2021.
  38. ^"Queer Dungeons & Dragons Players Are Adventuring From Home".Advocate.February 23, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on February 23, 2021.RetrievedJune 24,2021.
  39. ^"Dimension 20 Teams Up With the McElroys for Next Dungeons & Dragons Campaign".ComicBook.October 7, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on November 12, 2020.RetrievedJune 24,2021.
  40. ^"Dimension 20's A Crown of Candy shows the sweet and sour sides of nobility".The Peak.July 19, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on July 30, 2020.RetrievedJune 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.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedJune 24,2021.
  42. ^ab"Dungeons & Dragons: Dimension 20 Is a TOTALLY Different Take On Actual-Play".CBR.October 8, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on October 8, 2021.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
  43. ^"Pirates of Leviathan Continues to Push the Boundaries of Dungeons & Dragons".ComicBook.October 12, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on October 15, 2020.RetrievedJune 24,2021.
  44. ^Sheehan, Gavin (October 30, 2020)."Dimension 20 Announces The Unsleeping City Season Two".Bleeding Cool News And Rumors.Archivedfrom the original on February 28, 2021.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
  45. ^"INTERVIEW: Dimension 20 - Brennan Lee Mulligan Unravels the Mystery of Mice & Murder".CBR.April 8, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on June 24, 2021.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
  46. ^"DIMENSION 20 Brings Aabria Iyengar in to GM MISFITS AND MAGIC Releasing This Month".GeekTyrant.June 2021.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedJuly 1,2021.
  47. ^Dimension 20: Misfits and Magic Trailer.Dimension 20. June 16, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on January 25, 2022.RetrievedMarch 8,2022– viaYouTube.
  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).Archivedfrom the original on July 28, 2021.RetrievedMarch 8,2022– viaTwitter.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  49. ^abGood, Owen S. (July 28, 2021)."Dimension 20 goes back to school with a new season this August".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on July 28, 2021.RetrievedJuly 28,2021.
  50. ^abHall, Charlie (October 27, 2021)."Dimension 20's next season is a 4-part series called Shriek Week".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on November 1, 2021.RetrievedNovember 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).Archivedfrom the original on February 23, 2022.RetrievedMarch 8,2022– viaTwitter.
  52. ^abDimension 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).Archivedfrom the original on February 23, 2022.RetrievedMarch 8,2022– viaTwitter.{{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.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 8,2022.
  54. ^"Dimension 20: Coffin Run is Next Season of Dropout TTRPG Show".Gizmodo.May 25, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on May 26, 2022.RetrievedMay 26,2022.
  55. ^"Dimension 20: A Court of Fey & Flowers Trailer".Dropout.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedJuly 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.Archivedfrom the original on June 3, 2024.RetrievedJune 3,2024.
  57. ^Hall, Charlie (April 19, 2023)."Critical Role's Matt Mercer will lead Dimension 20's Crown of Candy prequel".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on April 20, 2023.RetrievedApril 20,2023.
  58. ^"Dimension 20 and Critical Role's Matthew Mercer Unite in Ravening War".Gizmodo.April 19, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on April 20, 2023.RetrievedApril 20,2023.
  59. ^"Dungeons and Drag Queens Debuts a Fabulous, Fearsome Foursome".Gizmodo.June 15, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on June 17, 2023.RetrievedJune 15,2023.
  60. ^abcZeoli, Rowan (July 19, 2023)."Dimension 20's Dungeons and Drag Queens is a cultural reset for queer nerds".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on July 19, 2023.RetrievedJuly 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.Archivedfrom the original on July 27, 2023.RetrievedJuly 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.Archivedfrom the original on September 29, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 20,2023.
  63. ^Marshall, Cass (September 20, 2023)."Dimension 20 returns with an adventure starring a family of stoats".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on September 20, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 20,2023.
  64. ^Coley, Samantha (October 4, 2023)."'Dimension 20's Aabria Iyengar Reveals the Inspiration for 'Burrow's End' DND Campaign ".Collider.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedNovember 2,2023.
  65. ^"Hello! We're Dimension 20: Burrow's End's Aabria Iyengar and Michael Schaubach - AMA!".Reddit.October 18, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedNovember 2,2023.
  66. ^Hall, Charlie (December 13, 2023)."Dimension 20 returns for Junior Year at Fantasy High".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on December 14, 2023.RetrievedDecember 14,2023.
  67. ^Polo, Susana (June 5, 2024)."Dimension 20's next season does '80s action movies, Jumanji style".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on June 5, 2024.RetrievedJune 5,2024.
  68. ^ab"Dropout releases official trailer for Dimension 20: Never Stop Blowing Up".Rascal News.June 5, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on June 5, 2024.RetrievedJune 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.RetrievedSeptember 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.RetrievedSeptember 4,2024.
  71. ^ab"Dimension 20: Misfits & Magic Season 2 FAQ".Google Docs(Press release).Dimension 20.September 4, 2024.RetrievedSeptember 4,2024.
  72. ^"Fantasy High LIVE in Brooklyn".Dimension 20.June 24, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedSeptember 29,2023.
  73. ^doNYC (June 24, 2019)."Dimension 20: Fantasy High! Live! at The Bell House".doNYC.Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2024.RetrievedMarch 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).Archivedfrom the original on March 2, 2022.RetrievedMarch 8,2022– viaTwitter.
  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).Archivedfrom the original on March 2, 2022.RetrievedMarch 8,2022– viaTwitter.{{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).Archivedfrom the original on March 2, 2022.RetrievedMarch 8,2022– viaTwitter.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  77. ^Misfits & Magic LIVE | Gen Con 2022 - genconmainstage on Twitch,August 21, 2022,archivedfrom the original on June 16, 2023,retrievedJune 16,2023
  78. ^abcdThe Making of Fantasy High(YouTube). Dimension 20. December 27, 2018. Event occurs at 0:45.Archivedfrom the original on April 8, 2024.RetrievedMay 8,2024.
  79. ^abSchaubach, Michael [@mschaubach] (January 15, 2022)."It was a dome until Fantasy High: Sophomore Year. Then we switched to these curved walls"(Tweet).RetrievedMay 7,2023– viaTwitter.
  80. ^abcFriedman, Em (September 14, 2022)."How the first decade of actual play has defined the template".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on September 14, 2022.RetrievedApril 23,2024.
  81. ^abShachat, Sarah (December 21, 2023)."How 'Dimension 20' Brings Tabletop RPGs to Life — and Zombie Bear Death".IndieWire.Archivedfrom the original on March 29, 2024.RetrievedMay 7,2024.
  82. ^abSheldon, Graham (November 30, 2022)."Making Magic on the Set of Dimension 20: Neverafter".SIGMA Blog.Archivedfrom the original on May 7, 2024.RetrievedMay 7,2024.
  83. ^Ashcroft, Helen (January 26, 2024)."Dimension 20 Is The Perfect Introduction To Dungeons & Dragons".TheGamer.RetrievedNovember 14,2024.
  84. ^Zachary, Brandon (June 27, 2024)."Dimension 20 Beginners Guide: Where To Start & What You Need To Know".ScreenRant.RetrievedNovember 14,2024.
  85. ^Hoffer, Christian (June 8, 2024)."Dimension 20 Announces New Season, Featuring Homebrewed Version of Kids on Bikes".ComicBook.RetrievedNovember 14,2024.
  86. ^Polo, Susana (November 14, 2024)."Finally, Dimension 20 fans can Never Stop Blowing Up at their own home tables".Polygon.RetrievedNovember 14,2024.
  87. ^"Dimension 20's Adventuring Party".Dropout.Archivedfrom the original on August 23, 2021.RetrievedAugust 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.Archivedfrom the original on January 16, 2024.RetrievedMay 8,2024.
  89. ^abWeldon, 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.Archivedfrom the original on May 13, 2022.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  90. ^abCoates, Lauren (September 22, 2023)."Dimension 20 broke all the actual play rules to become the best D&D show around".Polygon.Archivedfrom the original on April 15, 2024.RetrievedMay 7,2024.
  91. ^abc"Dimension 20 Gets Its Sci-Fi Heist On with A Starstruck Odyssey".Gizmodo.May 6, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on May 13, 2022.RetrievedMay 13,2022.