Explaining the Satisfactory Critical Role Easter Egg from 5 Years Ago

Satisfactory players have likely noticed a significant Critical Role Easter egg when they come across Mercer Spheres, a reference to Matthew Mercer that goes beyond a simple nod.

In the universe of Satisfactory, Mercer Spheres are invaluable alien artifacts necessary for constructing the Dimensional Depot Uploader and enhancing research capabilities. Players who pick up their first Mercer Sphere will unlock the achievement titled “I’m sure these play a Critical Role.”

This achievement is a clear allusion to the renowned D&D play show, which prominently features voice actor Matthew Mercer as the Dungeon Master.

The creators at Coffee Stain Studios did not merely use the achievement to nod to the popular series and its host; they also named the in-game items directly after him.

In April 2019, shortly after Satisfactory launched in early access, Mercer tweeted that he had been enjoying the game along with his wife and fellow Critical Role cast member Marisha Ray, humorously noting it was “meant to be” after discovering a Mercer Sphere.

In response, the developers confirmed that the name was indeed not a coincidence.

Hi Matt. Those spheres were named after you <3

— Satisfactory (@SatisfactoryAF) April 2, 2019

Mercer expressed his astonishment at the reference and described the game as a “delight.”

This clever reference seems to have been implemented by Satisfactory’s writer and world designer Hannah Beuger, who the official X account mentioned was “fangirling hard” after Mercer praised the game.

The name of the Mercer Sphere and its associated achievement aren’t the only Critical Role or Matthew Mercer-themed Easter eggs to be found.

Additionally, the backstory of the Mercer Sphere in Satisfactory includes references as well; one Reddit user pointed out that recent dialogue mentions a “Dr D.M Mercer.” Players can also receive in-game messages from the email address d.m.mercer@ficsit.biz.

This is not the first instance of Critical Role being referenced in video games. Baldur’s Gate 3 features Matthew Mercer as the companion Minsc and subtly references characters Pike Trickfoot and Grog Strongjaw from Vox Machina.

Moreover, the show has had numerous crossovers with various games, recently collaborating with Among Us and Wayfinder to introduce cosmetics inspired by characters from Vox Machina and other campaigns.

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