Nearly every single thing Monte said in that review, we already knew. It was a bit of new information, but NOTHING like the multitude we got here on the boards when people picked up the books and other reviewers got a hold of them. Now...wait a second, why does Monte's opinion suddenly make it a good reason to say 'I won't buy the books!!', when we already knew this stuff? Just hearing Monte say it makes the Revision bad? Don't get me wrong, I like Monte's work and all, and I can't wait for AU...but people, he barely told us anything new, and we've got a lot claiming they now won't buy the Revision.
Yep, I agree completely. There was very little substance there, although his thoughts were interesting on their own merit and for what they implied. I respect Monte, although I don't agree with many of his concerns or problems with 3.5. However, I find it very hard to believe that he isn't a little bit bitter about the revision to the books he helped to write. Its only human nature. And while the corrections and changes are not NEEDED to run a functional game, from what I have seen so far, the changes go a long way towards addressing some of the faults and problems 3E had.
When Monte menioned that Wizards had planned a 3.5 revision from the time 3E came out, I could already hear the conspiracy theorists screaming. Say what you like, planning a revision a few years early is a GOOD idea. If WotC or the designers thought that 3E was a perfect product, they were deluding themselves. While a definite improvement over 2E, there were lots of problems and things that could use tweaking, but they didn't know at the time of 3Es release exactly what the problems were. By listening to customer feedback and doing further playtesting, they kept their options open and didn't fall into the blind "D&D is sacred" or "official" mindset TSR did. Instead, their willingness to actually listen to their customers does say to me that they are trying to improve the game. Yes, they also did it to make money- in any business the bottom line is to make money- so get over it. But from the comments of current WotC staff and designers about 3.5, I also think they truly believe that they are improving the game.
Now its understandable that some 3E publishers are going to grouse about 3.5, because it forces them to learn a new ruleset to support future products. They also might be concerned that there will be some lag time while they are learning the rules that they cannot release products. WotC seemed to try and remedy this problem by making photocopies of the books available to publishers WAY before the release of 3.5- so there is no reason to complain there. The other major reason to complain is that they will take a hit in sales because some of the 3E crowd won't switch to 3.5. That is to be suspected, but I doubt that the hit will be that big of a problem- most people eventually will switch to 3.5, or at least download the SRD so they can look at the differences.
As for the "fractured community" arguement, it really doesn't hold much water. Gamers have always been a fractured community, through their support of various systems, playing styles, support of products for the same system, and preferences. I have yet to play in a 3E campaign that did not significantly house rule (as in 5+ pages). And you know what? Worrying about playing "official" D&D is simply the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard. There are no WotC "game police" who will monitor you games, and beat you with phone books if you don't follow the party line. Between most 3E or 3.5 games, the base rules will be the same, with a few minor alterations. Simply learn them- its no big deal. It only becomes a big deal when a player refuses to learn or modify his playing style, claiming moral superiority for being a faithful "by the books" adherent. In that case, the PLAYER is the problem, not the system.
It seems to me that the main grouse about 3.5 is that people either don't like the changes, or are worried that their characters will be changed or take a hit in power. If that is your problem, simply state that- its a valid point. If you don't like the changes, no one will make you buy the books or use them. But claiming conspiracies and setting yourself up as a 3E martyr is simply ridiculous, and little more than trolling.
