Dungeon Crawler Carl author Matt Dinniman addressed a long-running argument among the series’ audiobook listeners during an interview with Polygon at New York Comic Con, weighing in on the debate over how fast fans should play back the books.
The Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobook listening speed question has divided the series’ online fan base for some time, with listeners on Reddit, Facebook, TikTok and other platforms regularly trading opinions on the right pace for the books. Some fans listen at double speed or faster, while others stick to standard 1.0 speed, according to Polygon.
What Dinniman Said About Audiobook Speed
Dinniman told Polygon where he personally lands on the issue. “I personally listen to most audiobooks between 1.0 and 1.2, sometimes maybe 1.25. But 1.3 and above for me, personally, kind of affects the performance,” he said.
Dinniman also said that people get upset when he shares his opinion on the subject, a sign of how heated the debate has become among listeners who have strong preferences of their own.
What It Means For Fans Choosing A Pace
Dinniman’s comments give fans a rare look at how the author himself experiences his own books in audio form, though he framed it as a personal habit rather than a rule for how anyone else should listen. He did not say the faster speeds some fans use are wrong, only that going above 1.3 changes how the performance comes across to him.
That performance is a major part of the series’ appeal. The Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobooks are narrated by Jeff Hays, who voices a wide range of characters and sound effects throughout the series, according to IGN. Dinniman has also praised Hays’ work on the books, per IGN.
Background On The Series
Dungeon Crawler Carl is a LitRPG series set after an alien corporation takes over Earth and forces survivors into a televised competition called Dungeon Crawler World: Earth. The story follows Carl, a Coast Guard veteran, and his companion, a talking cat named Princess Donut. The series has built a large following in part because of its best-selling audiobook editions.
Total Apex Entertainment has reported on the franchise’s upcoming TV adaptation, which is set to begin shooting in 2027.
What’s Next
Dinniman did not announce any changes to how the audiobooks are produced or narrated, and Hays remains the voice of the series. Fans weighing which edition to pick up, whether audio, paperback or another format, can decide for themselves based on Dinniman’s stated preference and their own listening habits.
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