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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Oofta" data-source="post: 8641487" data-attributes="member: 6801845">So this seems to come up on a regular basis.  People say that 5E is not a quality product, I respond that millions of people disagree then out comes the retort "popularity is not quality".I don't get it.  D&D is a product.  The goal of the team developing it was to create something that would sell well, that would have staying power.  They exceeded all expectations and we've had the same edition for a decade and it's still going strong with minor optional enhancements and modules.  From a business perspective minimal investment + continued popularity + year after year double digit growth = quality.My reasons for saying 5E is a quality product is simple:<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">It's had relatively little errata and clarification.  With 3.0 we had so many changes that they had to release 3.5.  With 4E, it had a ton of errata starting almost immediately after release and Essentials was an attempt to make fundamental changes to the game (even if for many it was too little too late).*</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The rules are coherent and largely without conflict.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">It's the most popular TTRPG ever.  WOTC's goal is to sell books, stopping churn of new editions is also beneficial.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">People may pick up D&D because of brand, but they play and continue to play it because it works for them.  History is littered with products that were once successful and are now forgotten because they let quality slip.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">My opinion based on what I value.  This edition works better for me and my group better than any previous edition.</li> </ol>Many people will tell you that a Rolex is a higher quality than my old department store Casio digital watch I used to wear** because of what they value, what they consider important. But objectively? The Casio was likely as accurate if not more accurate than the Rolex. Probably less fragile, came with more functionality with features such as alarms, stopwatch, timer, a multiple time zone option. Objectively the Casio was a higher quality product, just not as flamboyant.  For that matter, most people can't tell the difference between an $18 bottle of wine and a $3,000 bottle; they only rate the more expensive wine as better if they know how much it costs.So how else are we supposed to judge quality of a product other than how well it sells and meets or exceeds it's targets? While nothing is perfect in my opinion 5E is a quality product, the highest quality of D&D released to date.  If popularity isn't a primary indicator of quality, what is?  Your opinion?  Why is your opinion worth more than the opinions of millions who purchased and continue to play the game?*According to Mearls, 4E was rushed to publication, they wanted something like Essentials integrated in on release and were not given enough time.**Back when I wore a watch instead of carrying one in my pocket.</blockquote>

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