The question with formulating polls like this is where to set the magnification. We could, for instance, combine editions and sub-editions and come up with broad groups, or traditions:
- "Simple D&D" - OD&D, B/X, BECMI, Rules Cyclopedia, related retro-clones (Labyrinth Lord, Swords & Wizardry
- AD&D - 1E, 2E (incl. Player's Options), OSRIC
- 3.x Family - 3E, 3.5, Pathfinder
- 4E - incl. Essentials
I'm going to assume that the votes for retro-clones are all for OD&D or B/X variants, although some may be for OSRIC. This would give the following votes (based upon 330 total, not including the 3 protestations):
Simple D&D: 52 votes, 15.8%
Advanced D&D: 109 votes, 33%
3.x D&D: 107 votes, 32.4%
4E D&D: 62 votes, 18.8%
We could also divide along Old/New School lines, with the first two categories being Old (TSR) and the latter two being New (WotC):
Old 161, 48.8%
New 169, 51.2%
There are two ways to look at this:
One, this is only based upon 330 votes and ENWorld is probably not all that representative of a cross-section of D&D players, and is mainly comprised of very serious/diehard gamers (no one else in my group of seven has even heard of it). Thus this means absolutely nothing and is just a fun poll for ENWorlders.
Two, this is based on a solid chunk of members of one of the largest online communities, and thus means something. Given that diehard/serious gamers are responsible for a large chunk of buying (I think the 80/20 rule applies: 20% of the gaming populace is responsible for about 80% of the dollars spent), it would behoove WotC to take this sort of poll with at least a teaspoon of salt rather than a grain. Which I think they are.
I'm not saying one of the two views is more truthful than the other, but that they both deserve consideration.