Brennan Lee Mulligan Reveals Secrets Behind Dungeons and Dragons’ Explosive Comeback!

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Over the past ten years, Dungeons & Dragons has experienced a significant increase in fame, with notable contributions coming from series like Stranger Things and games such as Baldur’s Gate 3. Yet, it is the rise of Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TTRPG) actual plays that have played a crucial role in its success too. Although there are numerous quality Dungeons & Dragons actual plays available, Dimension 20 from Dropout stands out as one of the most favored – and the fact that their recent live show at Madison Square Garden was sold-out serves as evidence of this popularity.

Game Rant recently interviewed Brennan Lee Mulligan, executive producer, writer, and game master of Dimension 20, discussing the surge in popularity not only of Dungeons and Dragons and tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), but also his own performances. From the recent Gauntlet at the Garden live show in New York City to the upcoming Battle at the Bowl in Hollywood, Dimension 20 has experienced unparalleled growth in popularity – a trend that Mulligan is still grappling with. The comedian offered some insights into his journey so far and even hinted at what fans can anticipate in the next live event.

The Critical Success of Dimension 20

‘It’s Absurd. It’s a Gift. It’s a Miracle.’ – Dimension 20’s Meteoric Rise to Fame

Starting on September 26, 2018, Dimension 20 made its debut, coinciding with the surge of tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) live streams. Drawing inspiration from series like Critical Role, The Adventure Zone, and Not Another D&D Podcast, Dimension 20 soon carved out a space for itself by emphasizing humor and unconventional ideas, as exemplified in the creation of Fantasy High, where high school and high fantasy intertwine.

In the fresh landscape of information that Mulligan referred to as the internet’s new ecosystem, the show known as Dimension 20 had managed to build a loyal audience – but it was the COVID-19 pandemic that catapulted this show to unprecedented levels of success. “It’s unbelievable, it’s a blessing, it’s a miracle,” Mulligan confessed. “I’m overwhelmed and puzzled by the chain of events that brought us to this point.” During lockdown periods, viewers found themselves drawn to the platform, transforming Dimension 20 from a moderately popular program into one of the most prominent names in the actual play genre.

Mulligan emphasized that the popularity of this artifact didn’t become apparent in broad daylight. He described it as a phenomenon of the digital era, where fanbases can swiftly balloon to astonishing sizes, separated from traditional high-profile media outlets. In other words, while you may have amassed a significant following, it has been cultivated away from the limelight. The hidden growth of Dimension 20‘s fanbase mirrors the secretive realm of magic in the Unsleeping City, as this online sensation emerged beneath the radar of mainstream pop culture. This obscurity was humorously highlighted when Dimension 20 filled Madison Square Garden for their live show, a stark contrast to their under-the-radar status.

The spectators were donning costumes related to the show, they were thrilled, they were energetic. They were coming to terms with the magnitude of the event as they looked out over a packed stadium filled with people shouting ‘Hoot! Growl! Hoot! Growl!’ It was quite surprising for a 65-year-old man from Long Island who asked, ‘What’s all this about? Dungeons and… what now?’

Mulligan is still grappling with the unexpected boom in popularity that Dungeons and Dragons and tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) have experienced, not to mention the success of Dimension 20. “I’m still shocked that you can make a living doing this,” he admitted. Recalling a time when Dungeons and Dragons was considered a peculiar, word-of-mouth culture with DM’s passing on the game from group to group, Mulligan was amazed when they sold out during the Gauntlet at the Garden event in less than an hour. “This is where the Knicks play,” Mulligan exclaimed, referring to the venue, “this is where Jalen Brunson plays basketball!

Rumble in the Chungle – Dimension 20’s Second Live Show of 2025

Nevertheless, the remarkable triumph of Dimension 20 is far from over. This year alone, it has three more live events lined up: the Battle at the Bowl in Hollywood on June 1st, Quangle Quest at the Climate Pledge Arena on July 20th, and Viva Mas Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 3rd.

The initial event, known as the “Rumble in the Jungle“, promises to be an epic clash between the infamous characters Chungledown Bim and Fabian Seacaster within the universe of Fantasy High on Dimension 20. This confrontation marks the climax of a long-standing, amusing rivalry that extends both in-game and beyond. Mulligan hinted, “Old Bimothy’s got a few surprises up his sleeves.” He added, “Since it’s been quite some time since his character was established in canon, he may have concealed tricks that you haven’t even noticed in the Dimension 20 Foundry where Lou Wilson and I developed him.” The outcome of this face-off remains uncertain, but it is clear that only one of these adversaries will emerge victorious from the Hollywood Bowl.

In simpler terms, could we say that the relationship between the protagonist and antagonist in Fantasy High is particularly crucial, and Chungle Down seems to fit the role of the main villain quite well, thematically speaking? It’s up to the fans to decide. When I created him, I intended for this bearded, mustached gnome with pockets full of spaghetti to be significant, if you catch my drift. Absolutely!

Fortunately, those who can’t attend the live event in person can catch it on Dropout later, although not immediately. The Gauntlet at the Garden has been added to the streaming platform after approximately four months, so until the Rumble in the Chungle is available on Dropout, Mulligan advises fans to stay away from social media discussions about the Battle at the Bowl, as he doesn’t want any spoilers to be shared. However, he acknowledges that the internet can sometimes be ruthless.

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2025-05-26 13:26