In a long-running joke that has evolved into a full-blown campaign, voting has begun for the position of President at D&D Beyond. The digital Dungeons and Dragons service has sponsored Critical Role for over a year. To promote this, cast member Sam Riegel runs his version of “ads” at the start of each weekly episode. These are always creative and humorous while highlighting new D&D Beyond services and updates. As a gag, one episode Riegel announced he would run for President of D&D Beyond against fellow cast member Liam O’Brien. And the campaign continued on for months after that.
It’s time for the @CriticalRole #critters to decide: @VoiceOfOBrien or @samriegel? Only one can take responsibility for this vital position! To thank you for voting you’ll receive awesome #LiamForPres #SamForPres wallpapers, portrait frames, and backdrops! https://t.co/BWwC69JXWx pic.twitter.com/1Tsh393003
— D&D Beyond (@DnDBeyond) July 25, 2019
Running mates in Ashley Johnson and Dani Carr were selected. Campaign videos were created and aired. There were backstabbing and investigations and the discovery of Riegel cooperating with foreign powers in Mark Hulmes to promote the campaign. The polls continued to show O’Brien is leading. A debate was even had to discuss where they would take D&D Beyond in the future. Finally, voting opened with their closing statements on 7/25/2019.
The polls will be open until 8/2/2019, and the winner will be announced during the Critical Role live show at GenCon in Indianapolis. Fans get some fun rewards for voting. D&D Beyond is offering themed wallpapers, character sheets, and backdrops for all voters. You must, of course, have a free account with D&D Beyond to vote.
The candidates have run on two opposing platforms. Riegel has focused on the fun of Dungeons and Dragons over the rules. O’Brien has said time and again that the rules are most important and that there needs to be structure.
It’s been incredibly entertaining to watch these two compete against each other with the knowledge that, outside of this campaign, they are the best of friends. It has also been a great deal of fun to watch D&D Beyond full-heartedly get behind this mock election.
The Nerd Stash will continue coverage on the announcement of the winner and what this will mean for the future of Critical Role and D&D Beyond!