Horror Fans Won’t Want to Miss this New Call of Cthulhu Actual Play Series

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Lately, more and more people are discovering new role-playing games by listening to podcasts and watching livestreams of others playing them. Critical Role has been especially important in popularizing Dungeons & Dragons, even leading to the creation of their own game. However, Critical Role isn’t the only option – if you’re interested in learning a new tabletop RPG, you can likely find a recording of someone else playing it to get a feel for how it works.

I first discovered the tabletop role-playing game Pathfinder by listening to a podcast called The Glass Cannon Podcast. Since then, that podcast has grown into a whole network dedicated to actual play shows – recordings of people playing tabletop games. They now cover a wide variety of games, from Vampire: The Masquerade to Delta Green, and many more. Recently, the Glass Cannon Network announced a new type of live show focused on cosmic horror. Starting in 2026, different players from the network will be performing one-session adventures of Call of Cthulhu at events across the U.S. Based on my experience with Get in the Trunk, their Delta Green series, I think horror fans will really enjoy these shows.

Actual Plays Are a Great Way to Get Acquainted with New TTRPG Systems

When I want to learn about a new tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG), I always look for an actual play podcast or video. Hearing or watching others play helps me understand the game’s mechanics, and these shows are usually really fun to watch. I first discovered Pathfinder through The Glass Cannon Podcast, and my husband and I found Delta Green, a modern cosmic horror TTRPG, thanks to another show from the Glass Cannon Network called Get in the Trunk.

I love watching actual play shows, and it’s easy to see why they’re so popular. You get to see really talented players bouncing off each other and improvising, which really shows off how amazing storytelling can be in tabletop RPGs. Sometimes they focus on the story and less on the rules, but a lot of times you actually see how the system works in action. That’s a huge help when I’m trying to decide if a new RPG is something I’d enjoy playing myself. Whether it’s a podcast, a livestream, or a live show, actual plays are a fantastic way to experience TTRPGs, and honestly, I’m totally into it!

Actually hearing how people play tabletop RPGs has opened my mind to games I wouldn’t normally consider. Delta Green is a perfect example. I usually prefer lighter, fantasy RPGs, and the term “cosmic horror” usually makes me avoid a game. But seeing that Delta Green can be funny, even while being genuinely creepy, made me curious to give it a try.

Delta Green is closely connected to the popular cosmic horror tabletop RPG, Call of Cthulhu. This game, originally released in 1981, gets its name and unsettling atmosphere from the HP Lovecraft story of the same name. It’s been a staple of the horror RPG world for years, even inspiring a video game in 2018. Now in its 7th edition, Call of Cthulhu remains a fantastic example of how to bring horror to the tabletop. The same group that introduced me to Delta Green is now planning a live tour for Call of Cthulhu.

Call of Cthulhu‘s Cosmic Horror Comes to the Stage with Glass Cannon Network’s New Live Shows

The Glass Cannon Network, originally known for its Pathfinder content, has been growing and is now bringing its live show to the world of Call of Cthulhu. They recently announced Call of Cthulhu Live! , a year-long in-person show that focuses on improvisational storytelling within the cosmic horror genre. The show is designed to be easy for newcomers to enjoy, with a self-contained story that doesn’t require prior knowledge of the game.

This tour lasts a year, but each performance will be a separate, self-contained story from the Call of Cthulhu universe. You won’t need to watch every episode in order – feel free to jump in at any point! Plus, the actors will change for each show, ensuring a fresh and unique experience every time.

The Call of Cthulhu Live! tour is coming to cities across the US throughout 2026! If you can’t attend a show in person, you can watch the Los Angeles performances live online on March 23rd and 24th. Troy Lavallee will be the Keeper for this Lovecraftian horror series, and the cast includes popular performers from Geek & Sundry, like Joe O’Brien, Skid Maher, Matthew Capodicasa, Sydney Amanuel, Noura Ibrahim, and Jared Logan, among others.

If you’re interested in cosmic horror or want to check out Glass Cannon Games before seeing a live show, I highly recommend their Get in the Trunk, which is part of their Delta Green series. It’s a unique blend of humor and genuine terror – my husband and I have listened to it on many road trips! If this series is anything to go by, Call of Cthulhu Live! promises to be both incredibly enjoyable and delightfully frightening. If you’re a fan of cosmic horror and Lovecraftian stories, you won’t want to miss it.

Have you tried playing Call of Cthulhu? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-23 21:16