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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jacob Lewis" data-source="post: 9449053" data-attributes="member: 6667921">I think the real question here is "Can you love D&D and hate the company that makes it?" D&D existed long before WotC and Hasbro came along. So, for many, our love of the game supersedes the influence of the current stewards of the game. But whether or not we allow the company's actions and policies to personally affect our relationship with a 50-year-old game, their decisions affect all of us in one way or another.If you're choosing to play a different version of the game or any other variation of it rather than playing what is offered as the most current and official version of it, then the company is in fact influencing how you feel about the game and your place in the community. For older editions and retro clones, players are largely reliant on different publishers for product support, or self-care with a lot of homebrew or conversions. That is, if you're fortunate enough to have a system that is strongly supported by an open and generous license that allows communities to flourish with enthusiastic  content creators. Otherwise, the company and its shareholders are happy to let you fend for yourselves while providing service and attention for those still paying for it. Customer loyalty only extends until the last check is cleared.If you choose to remain current, however, it makes no difference what the comoany does or doesn't do as long as it serves your immediate needs and continued enjoyment of your game of choice. By staying current and loyal, you reap the many benefits and rewards befitting of being part of the majority with full support, new (or renewed) content, and fresh new products that no one else has seen (unless they played literally any other version of the game in the last five decades). The bottom line is we all have to make a choice. And every time a new edition, or new product, or new change is implemented by the company, it forces everyone to re-evaluate our decisions, even if it is only for a split second. Is the new book going to change our minds? Are the new perks or features worth considering? Should I stick with game I already have and enjoy? Is this still D&D, or something else? No matter what company or what game system you play, the publisher imposes a lot of weight on what you are playing, if not how you play it.</blockquote>

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