WotC is making it just different enough to render your old books obsolete, but not different enough to offer a truly revolutionary gameplay experience. This bears an uncanny resemblance to the music industry’s shift from cassettes to CDs, a move widely seen as a cash grab disguised as technological advancement. Existing players, comfortable with the familiar rules and lore, balk at learning entirely new systems. Newcomers, naturally gravitate towards the latest edition, leaving veterans struggling to find groups. This is especially true for niche play styles or smaller communities. This creates a content treadmill, where players are constantly chasing the latest must-have rulebook to stay relevant. It’s a lucrative cycle for Wizards of the Coast, but for players, it can feel exploitative. The constant churn of editions creates a barrier to entry, potentially stifling the growth of the hobby as a whole.