SteveC
Doing the best imitation of myself
To me, it's still a situation of what the differences are going to be. So far we have seen smaller changes but there are outliers too (Druid, looking at you). I think the notion that WotC will sell the new edition with "50th anniversary! Be part of the history of the game!" makes a lot of sense.
That's markedly different from earlier edition changes: 3E was seen as a massive upgrade, as was 4E (for good or for ill). 5E itself was also marketed as quite different in a return to the classics. We don't know what 6E is going to look like, but has there been anything talked about that will actually create a buzz? "Better balance and simplified!" ... is not going to bring new people into the game, where "play the 50th anniversary edition of this great game!" just may.
I am still going to put my money on there being significant updates to differentiate it from the 5E clones that are coming (and in some cases, already here).
A modest set of changes that don't rock the boat leaves the 50th anniversary as the selling point. It also means there aren't really any reasons for a huge split.
That's markedly different from earlier edition changes: 3E was seen as a massive upgrade, as was 4E (for good or for ill). 5E itself was also marketed as quite different in a return to the classics. We don't know what 6E is going to look like, but has there been anything talked about that will actually create a buzz? "Better balance and simplified!" ... is not going to bring new people into the game, where "play the 50th anniversary edition of this great game!" just may.
I am still going to put my money on there being significant updates to differentiate it from the 5E clones that are coming (and in some cases, already here).
A modest set of changes that don't rock the boat leaves the 50th anniversary as the selling point. It also means there aren't really any reasons for a huge split.