Aberzanzorax
Hero
I've read many threads and opinions that seem to attempt to demonize or suggest the invalid/pathetic status of individuals or their arguments regarding edition wars.
WHY?
In my opinion, edition wars are a GOOD thing. They let publishers know about the degree and direction of the fans/players' response to both old and new products. They tell WotC that "they've gone too far" or "they've made a great new game...different enough to really capture people who felt the older materials were poor or lackluster."
Edition wars seem to be here for a while, and here to stay for the forseeable future (though they'll die eventually, most likely). But, really, what is so bad about them?
There seems to be a real source of conflict that people appear to want to discuss and resolve. Of course there are trolls, but I don't really believe that many/most of the edition "warriors" are that. Trolls post for the purpose of stirring up trouble. Edition warriors have something to say (regardless of the side they are on). They may attempt to invalidate one another by calling them trolls, but I don't think that is what they are on either side, on the most part.
So, as another thread asks...why? But...this thread asks, "why not"? It seems, if not good, at least "natural". Given the degree of changes, the (necessary) investment of individuals in the game (there are a lot of rules to learn and a large time investment to tell a story/get anywhere), and the counterforce of people on the other side of the fence, isn't in sorta natural?
Someone recently posted a thread about edition war fatigue...which I believe is another blip on the radar of "your divergent and angry opinions should not be so divergent and angry"!!!!!
Of course, people shouldn't just air anger for its own sake. People don't gain much, and lose pleny in such endeavors. But the discussion, the parsing, and the general atmosphere that has been created seems too often blamed on the "edition warriors". "WHY DON'T PEOPLE STOP FIGHTING!!!" is too often a comment here.
I wonder...is it the fault of any individual who is fighting? Even a, so called, troll? Or, has something happened...an environmental/marketed/business spun (not just WotC)/timing related/other event related (cancelling of WotC licenses to other parties like Paizo, Arthaus/Ravenloft, Dragonlance, etc....the PDF debacle....etc........and/or Paizo's capitalization on the emotion and "pushing" the point that maybe 4e alienated people and they-Paizo- didn't want to)...that has led to a phenomenon that drives the behavior of people en masse?
In short. I don't decry the edition wars...and if I do... I don't blame the fans. I wish others would take a similar perspective. However, at the same time, I certainly realize that my own opinion could be off base as well.
You can't "shut down" anger. You can diffuse it. Usually through either correction of the reasons that cause it or an apology for the reasons that will not be corrected.
Thoughts? Let me have it.
WHY?
In my opinion, edition wars are a GOOD thing. They let publishers know about the degree and direction of the fans/players' response to both old and new products. They tell WotC that "they've gone too far" or "they've made a great new game...different enough to really capture people who felt the older materials were poor or lackluster."
Edition wars seem to be here for a while, and here to stay for the forseeable future (though they'll die eventually, most likely). But, really, what is so bad about them?
There seems to be a real source of conflict that people appear to want to discuss and resolve. Of course there are trolls, but I don't really believe that many/most of the edition "warriors" are that. Trolls post for the purpose of stirring up trouble. Edition warriors have something to say (regardless of the side they are on). They may attempt to invalidate one another by calling them trolls, but I don't think that is what they are on either side, on the most part.
So, as another thread asks...why? But...this thread asks, "why not"? It seems, if not good, at least "natural". Given the degree of changes, the (necessary) investment of individuals in the game (there are a lot of rules to learn and a large time investment to tell a story/get anywhere), and the counterforce of people on the other side of the fence, isn't in sorta natural?
Someone recently posted a thread about edition war fatigue...which I believe is another blip on the radar of "your divergent and angry opinions should not be so divergent and angry"!!!!!
Of course, people shouldn't just air anger for its own sake. People don't gain much, and lose pleny in such endeavors. But the discussion, the parsing, and the general atmosphere that has been created seems too often blamed on the "edition warriors". "WHY DON'T PEOPLE STOP FIGHTING!!!" is too often a comment here.
I wonder...is it the fault of any individual who is fighting? Even a, so called, troll? Or, has something happened...an environmental/marketed/business spun (not just WotC)/timing related/other event related (cancelling of WotC licenses to other parties like Paizo, Arthaus/Ravenloft, Dragonlance, etc....the PDF debacle....etc........and/or Paizo's capitalization on the emotion and "pushing" the point that maybe 4e alienated people and they-Paizo- didn't want to)...that has led to a phenomenon that drives the behavior of people en masse?
In short. I don't decry the edition wars...and if I do... I don't blame the fans. I wish others would take a similar perspective. However, at the same time, I certainly realize that my own opinion could be off base as well.
You can't "shut down" anger. You can diffuse it. Usually through either correction of the reasons that cause it or an apology for the reasons that will not be corrected.
Thoughts? Let me have it.
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