Back in the 70s/80s there weren't very many roleplaying games. If you wanted to try something new, you probably had to homebrew it yourself. If you wanted to play a fantasy game, D&D was it (ok, there were a handful of others). And if D&D wasn't quite what you wanted, you had to change it.
In the 2010s there are thousands upon thousands of roleplaying games. If you want to try something new, an internet search will turn up dozens of results. If you want to play a fantasy game, there are hundreds. And if D&D isn't quite what you want, there are dozens, possibly hundreds of clones, one-offs, and older editions to pick from.
In the 2010s there are thousands upon thousands of roleplaying games. If you want to try something new, an internet search will turn up dozens of results. If you want to play a fantasy game, there are hundreds. And if D&D isn't quite what you want, there are dozens, possibly hundreds of clones, one-offs, and older editions to pick from.