aboyd
Explorer
I think the culture of gaming is better served if Wizards doesn't try to unify the clans, so to speak.
A year ago I thought they had a chance of creating a unified game but now I agree with you.
And a couple of years ago I would have argued in favor of 3rd edition D&D being revitalized by D&D Next, but now I agree with you both, too. When Monte Cook came on board and lots of D&D 4th edition-isms were being crushed into dust, I was pretty happy to see that happen. I had huge animosity for 4th edition.
However, nowadays I have Pathfinder. I'm happy over here. I'm served well, there are lots of options, the community is active, and I'm getting to play a game that mostly works for me. In fact, I would submit that I am so happy, that D&D Next can no longer win me back, nor can it win back any of my friends. So, what does that mean? Well, if we are representative of some 3rd edition contingent, then pretty much D&D Next is on a futile attempt to win people back and will -- as you suggest -- alienate everyone by trying to do so.
Since I have a great game in Pathfinder, I no longer need D&D. So I am now very comfortable releasing it to other fans who wish to clamor for their own needs. If the 4th edition fans are seeing their needs go unmet, and if they have no other game they can play, then by all means, I suggest that Wizards of the Coast give up on their "everything to everyone" approach and simply reconnect with 4th edition fans and give them what they want.
I think (though I may be mistaken) that D&D has lost many customers to the point that the loss is permanent. So there is no sense in chasing those customers anymore. They're gone. I also think that a "all things to all people" D&D Next could cost Wizards all of their 4th edition fans, too. This would leave Wizards of the Coast in the opposite situation of what they intend: they would have no audience at all, and like D&D 4th edition, they'd mostly have to win new customers over from scratch again. From what I can tell, Wizards is dreading that idea. They are actively trying to avoid it. They wish to regain all their old customers and see their sales bolstered from the groundswell of support. But it just can't happen anymore. And if they fail to see that, they'll lose big. If they do recognize it in time, they may be able to keep a hold of their existing customer base, at least. And that's a great thing for them, and then they can hook a new generation too, and move on from there.
I guess what I'm saying is that I really no longer see a need for animosity or fighting about this. My needs are met elsewhere now. If 4th edition fans were to shout, "Screw 3rd edition, screw the old school, cater to us and give us every little thing we want even if the other gamers hate it," I would probably respond with, "Yeah, give it to 'em."
I hope Wizards realizes that before it's too late.