I'm very pro-diversity in D&D. The more worlds the better, and the more "core" these worlds are, the better, for me!
No questions, qualms or other "qu" beginning words.
So here he pretty much comes out and says that there are problems with every setting having its own cosmology.
With the information I have at my disposal, I don't buy that. Why is it a bad thing for Fantasy Norse World and Fantasy Egypt World to each have their own view of the planes, the afterlives, the dimensions? Why does someone who likes the World Axis from 4e need to be forced to play in the 2e version of the planes? Why can't FR and Dragonlance actually have different cosmologies?
I have two words for you: "Branding Iron."
As anathema to imagination and creativity as it is...that's the answer. These guys, with all of their own personal interests, preferences and beliefs aside, work for...wait for it...WotC....Who work forrrrr?....That's right, Hasbro.
They [Hasbro...and to, I very much hope, a lesser extent, WotC] don't give a damn about creativity or imagination. They care about the bottom line. These guys' necks [the designers now, not the companies/corporations] are on the line to
produce returns.
How do you do that? You brand every living thing you can so it's "yours." So you have the "rights" to it and can make money off of those rights.
So I'd like to hear about those problems. Because right now, I don't see what benefit One True Cosmology is giving the game,
Branding Iron.
what pitfalls this option is the best for avoiding.
It's not at all about avoiding pitfalls. It's about...tssssssssss. The Branding Iron.
Or, in D&D terms, the legendary "Iron of Branding, born in the forge of the great and powerful Eegygackses."
Danger! Danger! Danger Will Robinson!
LOVE the graphic!
These are not the same thing. They are different. Different worlds, different abilities, different cultures, different kinds of creature. There is no compelling reason I can see to eradicate this interesting diversity and apply a homogenous smear to things.
[emphasis mine]
Can you see this?...Berrrannndinnng Irrronnn! There's the reason, whether you see it or not.
Put another way, and I confess I am not fluent in "urban", but I'll give it a shot: S'bout makin' money, yo!
Yes. But don't forget that they're also set apart by the fact that their dwarves are different. Their skies are different. Their cosmologies are different. Their magic is different. Let them be different. Empower me as a DM to make mine different. We don't need to all share the same One True Cosmology and we don't need to all share the same One True Mountain Dwarf.
Yes. All of what you say is true. Yes. Lemme say it one. more. time. They want the great Iron of Branding to cover their proverbial asses...er...um..."[IP] assets" any which way but loose.
Is it the "best thing" for the game? Is it the best thing, for that matter, for their brand? No or not necessarily.
But it's what they think they have to do...for their future...possibly even for their jobs...ultimately, for the bottom line.
I,personally, like the bits I quoted earlier, but you bring up different quotes and concerns that could, legitimately, be "bad things" for some games. That is, unfortunately, not a universal opinion...nor d their decisions or opinions exist in a bubble. These guys have to do things that are good, hopefully, for the game but also for themselves and the company's success. I don't have to like that rationale, but I can't fault or ignore it exists.