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[Archon of Light]

Originally Posted by Puggins

So here's my question- am I wrong? Is this near-religious fervor present on both sides? I really don't think so, but hey- give me a counter-argument.

Let's see if we can't put everything into perspective here....

People who take the time to post continuously on message boards are, obviously, very passionate about their games. I often wonder when they ever find time away from the forums to actually play the games that they sometimes defend so vehemently. But I also count myself among the passionate enthusiasts, though I tend to pick my moments when I do emerge to speak out. This is such a moment.

Since 4th Edition was announced, we, as a community, have been forced (not asked) to make a choice when we were more accustomed to having options. It was no longer a matter of which campaign world you played or what splat books you allowed at your table. Everyone was still playing the same game, even though some were still enjoying the previous editions, which were out of print.

Wizards had thrust a new edition prematurely in an effort to bring back much of the profits that were being gained on their brand name by other companies. But because of the OGL, the previous edition can never truly be denied as long as there is a strong and continued interest in the product, and there are companies willing to produce good products to support it. And suddenly, there are two current brands of D&D competing with each other, and not by the same company.

The strain is settling heavily on the shoulders of the gaming community. Those who favor one edition over another are fearful that there can only be one inevitable outcome in all of this: there can be only one edition. Thus, to champion the survival of their preferred game, they must also champion the company that will continue to produce it. Their loyalty to the edition transfers directly to the company that produces it, which borders on nearly blind devotion in order to support their own personal cause. It just so happens that the most fervent of these individuals spend a great deal of time making post after post after post... you know, this is where they live. It's what they live for. You just have to accept that.

As for myself, I've learned to split my loyalties between game and company. I like the 4th edition rules, but I really dislike the business model and practices that Wizards has been demonstrating these last few years. On the other hand, I am very impressed with the attitude and professionalism that Paizo displays on a daily basis, but I'm already over 3.5 edition rules. I'm still waiting to see the new Pathfinder ruleset to see if they can rekindle the old flame, in which case I may take a closer look at their Pathfinder line and setting. I still think there's a happy medium somewhere between the two, and if PRPG doesn't get there, then I might either have to wait until 5th Edition or come up with something on my own. The future seems uncertain these days. Guess we can only wait and see.

What I can say for certain is that I am genuinely sick and tired of a handful of people trying to tell everyone else how to feel when one company does something that affects the entire gaming community, as well as the gaming industry. And I don't mean to get one-sided now, but I am also sick of having one company making our decisions for us, or limiting them in order to steer us towards doing what they want us to do. At what point do we get to make a decision for ourselves without some inconsiderate company and their internet-minions attacking us for it? It's enough to make me want to disconnect my router.

Ok, I guess you can count me among the emotional ones. Just some things can raise my hackles. This week certainly did.