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Message: <blockquote data-quote="EzekielRaiden" data-source="post: 6680426" data-attributes="member: 6790260">On the one hand, I was pleasantly surprised by reading this thread; I expected relentless positivity, and both the OP and the first page or two was full of much more measured statements (even if several people still can't enjoy 5e without commenting negatively on at least one other edition).On the other hand, I still think it's incorrect to call the current situation a "golden age" for several reasons, regardless of what view you take:1) Evaluating the very time period you live in is a fraught and often foolish endeavor. Recall that, at the time, the conflict we call "World War I" was known as the "Great War," and was often described as the war to end all wars. And then WWII happened. And the Korean War. And the Vietnam War, and the Bosnian War, and all the nuclear brinksmanship of the Cold War, and the Iran-Iraq War...and there are still smouldering conflicts in the Middle East, plus the bad blood between Pakistan and India, just to name two situations that could easily ignite into new wars...Basically, we are often utterly blind to the way history will see what we consider "the present day" and "current affairs." Whether it's wars, technology, hobbies, art...things change quickly, and often gel in ways we never expected.2) Every edition has its best and brightest moments in its early years. 4e was definitely going strong at this point, with Dark Sun and PHB2 either already out or on the horizon (I don't remember the exact timing). Both 3e and 3.5e had strong showings in their first year. I don't know the stats of editions older than that, but I'd say it's a safe bet that they, too, had strong sales early on (it's a common thing for most entertainment media).3) Regardless of whether you consider things linearly, cyclically, or spirally, things are definitely not back to the fever-pitch they were in the 80s, not even close. Video games have stolen much of the potential market. Age has stolen another portion. And of the people left, there are now strong competitors taking a share, even within the narrow market, some of which are free to play or have their basic rules completely open-licensed. Of the few who remain, things are still extremely fractured, and every edition is at fault for that, including 5e. If anything, what with the explosion of OSR and prominent "second-party" publishers, it would seem we're currently cycling back to a *beginning* age, which is importantly different from a "golden" age, and 5e is the somewhat-belated official attempt to join that cultural bandwagon.4) What is the evidence, other than optimism and board-activity, for claims like "embraced by a huge percentage of the community"? If people are so quick to dismiss negative/critical commentary on the internet, why does positive commentary not get treated the same way? Yes, the books are selling well--as they always do, when "the books" refers to core books. I am not trying to speak poorly of 5e's sales, nor make any commentary on its content either way. Simply saying that much of what's being said here sounds like a person gushing about a game they like. Being happy about a thing and wanting to share it are both perfectly cromulent activities, but I see no need to call this a "golden age" for people to enjoy it if they want. Let it be what it is, without expectations of greatness or prosperity hanging overhead. It seems to me that making a point of stepping back and saying "Look! Look! Things are SO GREAT we should PROCLAIM IT SO!" is just...well, it feels like being insistent, like the speaker doth protest too much. That may not be what it is, and the OP seems to stress the "we should try to enjoy this" side of things...but I see no need to proclaim a "golden age" or really an age of any kind. Leave that to the historians, and get on with the gaming and/or sharing of a mutually-held pleasure (which includes things like posting on these forums...about things that actually affect, or are affected by, play)."Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:34</blockquote>

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