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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Kannik" data-source="post: 9191086" data-attributes="member: 984">FWIW, I took the marketing I was exposed to around the time of 4e as being quite tongue-in-cheek with a level of over-dramaticness/over-the-topness to it.  And what they mentioned as 'problem points' were things that I'd seen joked about in conversations for years, including pointing out some of the more odd or silly elements.  So it didn't ruffle me (I rolled my eyes more at the very American caricature of the frenchman trope) and 4e piqued my interest just as 3e had piqued my interest when its first rumblings began (and which led me to this very website!).  But certainly self-deprecating humour and treating certain things with amusement is a very tightrope to walk and likely not a winning marketing strategy to ever pursue.  Especially in realms where there are many who take things very seriously and are ready to fight to the death if you even hint that it may not be entirely serious business(tm), whether this be comic books, sports, certain music acts, etc.  None of which was helped by the pre-geek-ascendant days where playing RPGs made you quite the punching bag not only from your 'peers' but also chuckled/derided by the adults in your life, which appears to have led to some trauma for some.  Lighter tones, or even the hint that something may not be entirely as good as it might be, might not land well.  Add to this the longstanding "tradition" of the grognard as it relates to editions/changes as well...And Hasbro having their dictates didn't help either.</blockquote>

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