<P> Matthew Mercer serves as the show 's Dungeon Master , running an ongoing campaign that is the basis for the show . The campaign began two years prior to the series as a one - time simplified Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition game for Liam O'Brien 's birthday . The group enjoyed this initial game so much that they continued to play , switching to Pathfinder , and continuing their story as the Super High Intensity Team . Felicia Day had heard about their private home game from Ashley Johnson and approached the group about doing it on - stream with Geek & Sundry . In order to streamline gameplay for the live show , the game 's characters were converted from Pathfinder to Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition before the web series began airing on March 12 , 2015 . </P>
<P> Matthew Mercer serves as the show 's Dungeon Master , running an ongoing campaign that is the basis for the show . The campaign began two years prior to the series as a one - time simplified Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition game for Liam O'Brien 's birthday . The group enjoyed this initial game so much that they continued to play , switching to Pathfinder , and continuing their story as the Super High Intensity Team . Felicia Day had heard about their private home game from Ashley Johnson and approached the group about doing it on - stream with Geek & Sundry . In order to streamline gameplay for the live show , the game 's characters were converted from Pathfinder to Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition before the web series began airing on March 12 , 2015 . </P>
when did the first episode of critical role air
when did the first episode of critical role air
March 12 , 2015 .
March 12 , 2015 .