Yeah, I passed on the Kickstarter because - at the time - I didn't think I would be able to get my group to even consider a system other than 5e. Now, I have plenty of options, which is both a blessing and a curse.The recent 20th Anniversary Kickstarter would have been good for your group, I think. While it funded a special edition of the core book to celebrate 20 years it also funded new, thinner player books. It also funded brand new ‘player boxes’ which are designed to hold a player’s archetype (if they have one), advances, cards with the rules for specific edges, a combat reference sheet, powers cards etc. All stuff intended to make play at the table much easier. The player’s book only has player-facing rules in it, so while (for example) it has rules for chases those rules are only the player’s options. Nothing on the GM side like how to design and set up chases.
Something like that might make adoption easier.
I have signed up to be notified when late pledges become available, and I can consider purchasing at that time.
The big, hardcover SWADE core rules is definitely too much (both in content and price) to pass out to 5 players. The new versions might work.
It's just a lot when you GM, host, and are also the only person that looks at rules or how to build characters when you're away from the game.