LICHTHUND and Critical Role revealed cast members, a release date, and a free playable demo for ROCKBEASTS, the upcoming rock-and-roll management RPG, at The Triple-i Initiative.

Critical Role’s Matthew Mercer, Sam Riegel and Liam O’Brien are lending their voices to ROCKBEASTS, bringing three of the game’s key characters to life, alongside previously announced Iggy Pop. Additional cast reveals are planned ahead of launch.

ROCKBEASTS will launch in January 2027, however players don’t have to wait for launch to step behind the scenes of the music industry: a free demo is available on Steam today, featuring the game’s first two episodes. A third episode will be added for Steam Next Fest, offering an expanded look at the band’s journey from garage obscurity toward stadium glory ahead of release.

ROCKBEASTS is a story-driven rock-and-roll management RPG that puts players in the shoes of the manager of an up-and-coming grunge band trying to escape garage obscurity for stadium glory. To help them achieve their dreams, players will book gigs, manage precious resources and fragile egos, schedule rehearsals, and navigate the day-to-day intricacies of the music industry — all in an alternative 1990s America inhabited by larger-than-life anthropomorphic characters. Every decision shapes the band’s relationships, reputation and future, forcing players to decide when to protect their creative vision, when to compromise, and what they’re willing to sacrifice for success.

At its core is a darkly funny, emotional story about misfits surviving the music business without losing what made them want to make music in the first place. Written by award-winning narrative director Jakub Szamałek (The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, The Blood of Dawnwalker), the game features a hand-drawn art style inspired by the era of MTV greatness, and 17 original full-length tracks drawing from ’90s alternative rock scene.