Glass Cannon Network's Cthulhu RPG Tour Battles to 'Trailblaze' in Crowded Actual Play Market

CEO Troy Lavallee discusses the challenges of standing out in the growing actual play podcast space.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:05pm

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A bold, abstract illustration featuring jagged geometric shapes in high-contrast red and black, conceptually representing the high-stakes, improvisational nature of a live Call of Cthulhu performance.The Glass Cannon Network's live Cthulhu RPG tour aims to push the boundaries of actual play storytelling in a crowded market.Chicago Today

The Glass Cannon Network, a veteran in the actual play podcast space, is launching a new series of live one-shot Call of Cthulhu shows to differentiate itself in an increasingly crowded market. CEO Troy Lavallee talks about the need to constantly evolve and innovate to build a deeper connection with their fanbase and potentially expand beyond the TTRPG niche.

Why it matters

The actual play podcast industry has exploded in recent years, making it harder for established players like Glass Cannon to stand out. Their new Call of Cthulhu Live series represents an effort to offer a unique live experience and attract new fans beyond their core TTRPG audience.

The details

Glass Cannon first started doing live actual play shows nearly a decade ago, but the landscape has changed dramatically since then. Lavallee notes that while they've been able to build a successful business, they're still "scratching and biting and clawing to get even a tiny percentage of the overall market" as more players enter the space. The Call of Cthulhu Live series aims to provide a more accessible entry point for new fans, with self-contained stories and a new cast for each show rather than continuing storylines. Lavallee believes the high-stakes, improvisational nature of the Call of Cthulhu system aligns well with the Glass Cannon style of play.

  • Glass Cannon Network started its actual play podcast in 2015.
  • The first Glass Cannon live show was held at a games store in Queens around 10 years ago, selling out 50 tickets.
  • The Call of Cthulhu Live series is running from March to December 2026.

The players

Troy Lavallee

CEO and cofounder of The Glass Cannon Network, a veteran actual play podcast and live show producer.

The Glass Cannon Network

An actual play podcast network that has built a loyal following over nearly a decade, known for its high-energy, improvisational style of play.

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What they’re saying

“There's so many more people making actual play than when we started. Even though we've been doing this a long time, and we have employees and health insurance, and we're able to support our families with this, we're still scratching and biting and clawing to get even a tiny percentage of the overall market.”

— Troy Lavallee, CEO, The Glass Cannon Network

“As others came in, they just tried making more and more D&D podcasts. Our detractors sometimes say we should play D&D to get a larger audience, but I don't know if that's necessarily true. I think we'd just be making a lot of noise in a very large pond.”

— Troy Lavallee, CEO, The Glass Cannon Network

“It's my personal favorite TTRPG these days. If I'm running D&D or Pathfinder, I kind of know what's going to happen: the players will attack, either with sword or magic. I might test their strength, but they're going to win that encounter. In Call of Cthulhu, these aren't heroes; they're just run-of-the-mill people. There's so much danger in just comprehending, let alone being physically attacked by, these otherworldly horrors.”

— Troy Lavallee, CEO, The Glass Cannon Network

What’s next

The Call of Cthulhu Live series will continue its tour, with upcoming shows in Chicago and Sacramento featuring new casts and unique Cthulhu-themed scenarios.

The takeaway

As the actual play podcast market becomes increasingly crowded, established players like The Glass Cannon Network are having to work harder to differentiate themselves and attract new fans. Their new Call of Cthulhu Live series represents an effort to offer a more accessible and improvisational live experience that can build a deeper connection with their existing audience while potentially drawing in new listeners who may not be hardcore TTRPG fans.