I got so embittered reading the negative, narrow-minded reactions to the One D&D announcement. If anyone searches my posting history, you would see I have been very much against a new edition. Now Wizards announces their plan and releases a first extensive play test and I observe Wizards working toward a refined, improved version of the same game we have been playing that will preserve previous character options and, at the same time, work to expand them. Further, Wizards continues to demonstrate commitment to play testing and drawing from the player base to shape what will amount to a refinement of the existing game.
The result here: mixed at best. Whine, whine, whine. And, also dispiriting, a bunch of people jumping on the "they're only doing it for the money" bandwagon, as if the designers working on the game do not deeply care about the game and are also invested in shepherding the game for which they have responsibility. So many people here seem so...emotional and, frankly, unintelligent: as if the world only exists in stark, polarized terms for them. Of course a company has a bottom line and Wizards contributes to Hasbro's stock value, but Wizards has continuously demonstrated a commitment and creative investment in the role-playing game community. I read very little acknowledgment of that in these forums.
Another gripe that I do not care to inflict on others (except here in this safe space): people complaining about changes to books like the three-volume format for Spelljammer with smaller books as if it is cost-cutting and Wizards is engaged in a unabashed cash-grab without nuance when Wizards has been releasing material for free for years...including a free Spelljammer pdf released just a month ago. As if there is not an at-the-table advantage by having a player-centered book and DM's books.
I think I am going to step away from Enworld for a bit. I have a feeling that I would not want to be friends with many of the negative, sky-is-falling people here. Oh well. I'll likely feel better about Enworld in time...which is why I am letting off steam here.