The Second ENWorld Changeover Poll has been remarkably stable for the last 700 votes.
Basically, it's been:
Changeover: 31% to 33%
No Changeover: 57% to 59%
Partial Changeover: 9% to 11%
Option 6: 30% to 32%
Option 6?
Option 6 is the option of 'I tried 4E, but gave it up and *completely* went back to earlier editions.'
So Option 6 is the 'I tried and rejected 4E' option.
Option 6 has defined the Changeover Poll. With almost 1 in 3 choosing Option 6, it massively altered the results.
Had everyone who choose Option 6 stuck with Options 1 and 2, Changeover would be at 65%, No Changeover at 27%, and Partial Changeover at 10%, or 65%/27%/8%. Instead, it's 33%/58%/10%.
I had thought a majority of people would vote for Options 2, 3, 4, and 5, or Partial Changeover (ranging from just a little changeover to mostly over), choosing to play and enjoy both 4E and the earlier editions.
I, myself, choose Option 3 (half and half.)
I am quite surprised at how *few* have chosen Options 3, 4, and 5.
It really does seem like an All or Nothing proposition. Not many choosing Let's Have Both. Everyone is saying either they play 4E, they don't play 4E, but hardly anyone is saying 'we want it all.'
In this sense, there is a sense of Absolutism in this poll. Everything is Absolutely one way or the other.
The 31% who choose Option 6, although they show their open-mindedness, ultimately increase the Absolutism, because they have *absolutely* quit 4E after trying it. Had they not done so, they could have chosen Options 3, 4, or 5.
I'm not denouncing anyone, not putting anyone down, not trying to flame or insult or tell anyone how to think!
I'm merely noting some of the striking aspects of the results of the poll. At least, to me, they are striking.
We Gamers are an opinionated group, are we not? Haven't we always been so? I think so.
Edena_of_Neith