Is there an "Age" factor to choice of editions?

[El Mahdi]

Because of the threads about "no longer being WoTC target customer", I was curious as to whether age was a factor in preference of editions.

So, here is a completely useless, non-scientific poll for everyone to play with. All amateur and non-amateur statistics fans, have at it. In the end these results probably won't mean anything, but it will be fun to discuss, disect, and theorize to your hearts content. Please keep it civil, but, enjoy yourselves. Have fun.



The poll is multiple choice so as not to restrict people to one edition (not everyone feels limited to just one favorite edition). Please vote for your age category for the editions you currently play, or simply just your one favorite edition, however, please vote for only your age group.

I only included three edition categories; 4E, 3.xE/D20 OGL (all 3E versions and D20 variants), and all other Previous Editions (OD&D, AD&D, etc.). I know there is more variety than this, and some may have wanted to see it broken down further, but it would have resulted in a poll with probably a hundered different choices.

 

[El Mahdi]

Looks like 40 year old players of 3E are the majority so far.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I voted 4e and 20 or younger. Though I am really on the cusp of it at 19.

 

[megamania]

Clearly we rule and WoTC needs to adjust their sales target...

39 and playing 3.5 only

 

[joethelawyer]

poll is not up yet, but i'll post my opinion here.

i don't now if it is age, as much as circumstances of life. usually, circumstances of life go hand-in-hand with age though.

for example, as i stated in the other thread i just created, my group is 4 guys pushing 40. the other three are married, one has kids. they have other things going on in their lives. dnd is the guys night out nowadays, not the all-obsessive game it used to be. we no longer have 5 hours free time per day to read rule books. by the time you get home, mow the lawn, make dinner, feed the kids, clean the house, and give the significant other a jolly good rodgering, when is there time to learn a whole new game? its easier to just stick with what you know and enjoy playing.

to the extent that age dictates the one's free time situation, then yes i think it is age related. espially with 4e. from what i have ben reading, i don't think there has ever been a more drastic change from one edition to another. all other changs were simple and gradual, relatively speaking. they didn't in essence create a whole new game to learn.

 

[El Mahdi]

I'm not sure I completely agree with you Joe. I think it may depend on what people see as a radical change. I felt 3E was a pretty significant change from 2E. I also feel that 4E is a significant change from 3E but in a different way. 2E to 3E changed the underlying mechanic, and added a huge amount of options and variety, increasing the complexity significantly (but I like the increase in complexity, it's a plus for me). 3E to 4E also changed the underlying mechanic (math) but simplified options and complexity, although they did add an entirely new mechanic with powers (but then again so did 3E with Feats). To me, the switch to 4E was a change as significant in scope as the change from 2E to 3E.

But of course this is just my $.02.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I suspect overall things will be pretty even through the different ages for each edition. With perhaps a higher number of older ages for the older editions (for obvious reasons).

 

[Treebore]

Looks like 40 year old players of 3E are the majority so far.

Age is a factor, but it is not an "absolute" factor. Meaning that not all 40+ year olds prefer "X" edition. I am over 40 and prefer C&C because it allows me to use whatever I want from every edition, including 4E. I added my first house rule derived from 4E about a week ago. A few more are likely to come.

No, I did not vote in your poll.

 

[ppaladin123]

Age when one first started playing D&D might matter more. Or, edition one started with....

 

[WizarDru]

Well, as a 40 year-old who prefers 4e, my argument would agree with Joe but come up with an entirely different answer. He points out that he doesn't have as much free time....neither do I. Which is exactly why 4e appeals to me and my gaming group, who are 38-45. 4e maximizes the parts of the game we find enjoyable, or at least has so far.

We continue to enjoy 3.5, but 4e seems to offer the same or more fun for equivalently less time, which is a big plus.