Here's what changed: one game company released a new fantasy RPG. I already knew that I disliked much of this design team's earlier work and game mechanics that were tested out in another system. So why is NOT switching to this new game indicative of failure to adapt? Why is switching to a newly released RPG the default assumption?
If a non-WotC company released a new game, would you assume that the default position for gamers would be to try it? Probably not. Dozens of RPGs have been released since 3E came out, and I don't recall that many threads like "Are you switching to C&C"? I don't think you viewed gamers staying with 3E at that time as "failing to adapt." But 4E has the D&D name on it, so should we be good little brand loyalists and go along with it?
