Bedrockgames
Legend
I'm one of those guys that likes "gamey and dissociated stuff", and this is disappointing, because It feels like they're half-assing it. This is what I'm afraid will happen with the playtest; they'll compromise and thereby please no one.
That said, if this is real, it could be a "starting point", from whence the playtest would develop, but I feel that would have a danger of tribalizing the playtest crowds and thereby making the playtest nigh-on pointless. :/
If they made gamey dissociative stuff optional ad ons, it wouldn't bother me. But a lot of it looks like it is there with the warlord and healing. I think you could be right and they are just hitting wierd middle ground, which wont please anyone. I think it is important they understand people who like 4e, like it for very clear reasons. People who dont like 4e, dislike it for very clear reasons. Getting rid of healing surges but allowing ten minute heals doesnt get around the believability issues of HS for me. In a lot of ways it sounds worse.