Absolutely the game has become too complicated, IMO. There has been no "bridge" product like the Basic/Expert sets for years, and there really needs to be one. A product that gives the you the whole experience but in a friendlier, less rules intense way.
The game has become too complicated for me as it is...The rules bloat of even just the core books has driven me to the point where I just don't enjoy running 3.X, and haven't played in awhile.
I'm very much looking forward to C&C from the Troll Lords. I'm hoping it will give me a set of fairly flexible but simple rules that remain true to D&D's roots/themes, and allows me to convert with relative ease both the best of the old D&D and the best of the new D&D/D20 products. A tall order to fill for sure, but it sounds very promising so far.
Had I been introduced to the game w/ the current PHB, I'd likely never have stayed in the hobby.Way too intimidating and complicated..and this is coming from someone who started with the brown books, and the original basic set.