Someone says "I'm quitting version 'x' of D&D" you react by:

[Dragonbait]

on a message board 3 months ago: "I don't know you, but what is your problem? Gosh, I never had that problem but now that it's in my head it probably -is- a problem even though I have never experienced it before." (examples: 15 minute adventuring days was NEVER a concept/issue until I read about it. Simulationism was NEVER a concept/issue until I read about it. D&D 4E selling well/poorly was NEVER an issue until I read about it.)

on a message board today: "I don't know you. I don't care."

AND if someone STARTS a thread that they are leaving version X: "I don't know you. I think you are a loser for starting a thread about why you are leaving/what you dislike. I'm not going to open the thread."

yeah.. I'm bitter.

a friend: "Really? Oh no! Let's see if we can figure something out."

 

[El Mahdi]

Not Reacting. Not Caring. Not Reading.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Asking them why.

Probing them to find out really why.

Stating why I agree or disagree, and speculating on what that means for version x's design choices.

 

[Serendipity]

By react you are presuming there's a reaction at all.
In seriousness, if it's someone I actually know or play with then it - obviously - carries a bit more weight. Otherwise, honestly I don't much care and hope they find something that they'll like.

 

[dragonlordofpoondari]

I love rhetorical questions. This is more a cautionary prompt for self examination than a serious question, methinks ... and a good one at that. Well done.

 

[Monkey Boy]

I half listen to their reasons. Maybe they can quantify a problem I'm having with the version. If they are ranting I stop reading and move on. If it looks like turning into an edition war I don't bother reading it. I'm fine with people abandoning whatever issue of D&D. I'm enjoying all versions at the moment.

I don't get the mindset of someone who wants to announce it to the board. If they post 'I have the folowing problems with version X any suggestions on how to overcome these?' then yeah, I see the point in posting.

'I quit' threads tend towards melodrama.

 

[Cryptos]

If it's someone I know and I'm gaming with, I'd more than likely use it as an opportunity to pimp a system I've been wanting to play but no one wanted to play originally. I've always got several of those lying around.

"Oh, well, if you don't like that, here's how they handle it in this system. We should try it some time."

If it's someone on the internet, I probably won't pay attention. If I do pay attention, it's because I'm so bored that I'm even looking to predictable flame wars that will inevitably ensue for entertainment.

 

[RFisher]

I like such threads. I come here to discuss the hobby. To discuss what we like and what we don’t. To talk about why we like what we like and why we don’t like what we don’t like. Exactly the kind of stuff you’ll find in a “I quit” thread.

I think my enjoyment of the hobby has been very positively influenced by such discussions.

So, my reaction is to read with curiosity and try to learn something.

 

[CleverNickName]

I type at least a hundred words about how the person's opinion is wrong. Even though I already know that, by definition, an opinion can never be right or wrong.

 

[Felon]

I tell them that despite people articulately explaining the same point of view ad infinitium, I judt don't get it. I'll never get how anybody could be of such a frame of mind. It's a complete mystery. Depsite countless thousands of words on the subject, I'm utterly puzzled. Screeds be damned, I will just never comprehend their bullet points. Now thank me for playing.