Plus major milestones for Chaosium, Games Workshop and Dungeons & Dragons
Lucca Comics & Games 2025 has unveiled its highly anticipated lineup, and two headline debuts are already stirring excitement. Fans of Critical Role will be thrilled to welcome Matthew Mercer and Marisha Ray for their first Italian appearance. The duo, guests of Acheron Games, will headline presentations, signings and a massive multi-table session of Daggerheart, the role-playing game from Critical Role’s creative hub, which will receive its official – and much-anticipated – Italian release during the festival.
Equally eye-catching is the arrival of Riftbound, Riot Games’ and UVS’s new collectible card game inspired by League of Legends. Attendees will have the first opportunity to preview the game at the Lucca Comics & Games Pavilion, where an exclusive promotional card will be distributed. The official English-language launch is scheduled for October 31, 2025, making Lucca a true global stage for its debut.
Celebrating Milestones in Gaming History
Beyond new titles, this year’s festival will pay homage to landmark anniversaries that have defined gaming culture. Chaosium celebrates its 50th anniversary with events, demos and live performances dedicated to its legacy – especially The Call of Cthulhu, the detective-horror RPG that has influenced generations of players. To mark the occasion, Raven Distribution will publish a special anniversary edition of The Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition, featuring an exclusive cover by Francesco Biagini, who will also appear for signings. Legendary campaigns such as The Masks of Nyarlathotep will return to print, ensuring veterans and newcomers alike can share in the celebration.
Meanwhile, the 40th anniversary of the iconic Dungeons & Dragons “Red Box” will be honoured with Lucca Bacia il Cielo, a brand-new adventure set within the city walls. Players will embody six characters illustrated by Rébecca Dautremer for this year’s festival poster. The milestone will also see the return of Dungeons, the powerful theatrical piece about two inmates who transform their prison experience through imagination and roleplay.
The festival also marks 50 years of Games Workshop with Forging the Myth, an exhibition showcasing the art and artifacts that have shaped Warhammer and beyond. Visitors will see works by John Blanche, Iain McCaig, Brian Bolland and Karl Kopinski, alongside treasures from Ian Livingstone’s private collection. Both Livingstone, the company’s co-founder and gamebook pioneer, and McCaig will be present in Lucca to engage with fans and reflect on the global rise of Warhammer.
Publishers, Previews and Big Announcements
The Carducci Pavilion remains the beating heart of the festival, with Italian and international publishers bringing a wealth of previews, special editions and exclusive content. Asmodee Italia celebrates its 30th anniversary with a commemorative Dixit card and a strong TCG presence, joined by CEO Thomas Koegler. Cranio Creations unveils Echoes of Time and Ants, alongside family-friendly offerings like Notte da Brivido and Railroad Tiles.
Pendragon expands its Witcher line, revives classics such as Compile and The Way of Spies, and launches the sci-fi title Galactic Cruise. MS Edizioni, marking its 10th anniversary, showcases Altay – The Dawn of Civilization, previews Navoria, and debuts the comic-game Beasts on the Bay as well as the RPG Kulthos. Ghenos Games and DV Games will bring Pozioni Esplosive Collector’s Edition, Magic Maze Pocket, Strapp Art, Sensu, and Koi.
Other highlights include Oliphante’s Wunderwaffen and City Flip Roma, Studio Supernova’s Squillo Evolution and La Mostra dei Mostri, Giochix with Terminus, Dominance, and expansions for Obsession, and new narrative releases from NessunDove. Mana Project Studio brings a diverse lineup with Elder Mythos, Vileborn, and Women Are Werewolves.
The festival also celebrates Italian creativity with Brancalonia, Acheron Games’ flagship RPG, making a strong return. The InnTale group will premiere Le Gastrocomiche, a campaign inspired by the works of Italo Calvino, set in the Brancalonia universe.
Gaming Across the City
Beyond the pavilions, Lucca itself will be transformed into a playground for gamers. Villa Bottini will host LARPs from Camarilla Italia, Secondi Figli, and From Beyond, as well as chamber experiences curated by Chaos League. The Baluardo San Regolo will become a hub for Dungeons & Dragons, while the former Zecca will offer an immersive Magic: The Gathering space.
The collaboration with IMT Alti Studi Lucca continues, with the IMT Library becoming a Game Science hub and the San Francesco Complex hosting events on Comics Studies and Cultural Sciences.
A Festival of Legends and New Horizons
With Critical Role’s Italian debut, the world premiere of Riftbound, landmark anniversaries for Chaosium, Dungeons & Dragons and Games Workshop, and a wave of new releases from top publishers, Lucca Comics & Games 2025 promises to be a landmark edition. Once again, the city will merge history, art, and play into an unmissable celebration of imagination and gaming culture.