So 5e is on the way. WotC is looking to avoid the mistakes of 4e. They've got a good team. They've got the brand. However, they've got a huge target to hit and 4e will have the briefest lifespan in the brand's history amongst a fractured fan base.
And we already see the love for the Edition Treadmill in play...
I'd say rather, the love for improving the game- something rpg players have a long tradition of doing through house rules and homebrews. It's the natural extension, with an edition that has caused so much division and contention.
A week ago, however, for the 4e fans, it was still the best edition of the game ever made.
So for the 4e fans that are now ready to move to 5e, how did the announcement change things? Why?
First of all, I think a lot of 4e fans acknowledge that 4e is not the "best ever"- perhaps there
is no one best ever. 4e fans will usually point to certain elements (monster design is one of my favorites) as "the best D&D has ever done X", while 2e did Y best and OD&D did Z best. 4e has the advantage of being the newest, getting current support and having a lot of neat new bells & whistles.
Which isn't to say that there aren't those who like 4e better than any other edition, just to point out that it's not always (perhaps even not usually) quite that simple
Anyway, nobody is really ready to move to 5e yet since it isn't out and we haven't seen it, but I think anticipation is high because we've all had enough time to see 4e's warts and bunions as well as its firm high breasts and pretty eyes. We like the idea of taking "the best of everything" and making it work. Personally, I have a wall of D&D books that are old edition products that I use for flavor, pics and inspiration; it would be awesome if I could also pull some mechanics straight out of them. I love to read new rules systems and play new games, and even if 5e turns out to be pretty boring and homely, I'll be interested in seeing it.
Did the announcement of 5e suddenly show you that those 4e critics were right all along?
No- some criticisms are valid and some are just reactionary; some point out real flaws in the game and some are just badwrongfunisms. Nothing has changed here, at least for me.
I don't understand the desire for a new edition for games that haven't been out even 5 years.
To improve the game.
Yes, I'm happy with 4e, but if a 5e came out that re-unified the D&D base, I'd be ecstatic. If the game is better, the game is better, period. (Read "better" as "better for my group" in this case.)
Honestly, I'm weary of it. I love Pathfinder, but if Paizo threw it over for a 2e tomorrow, I wouldn't be making the switch. I don't want it. I certainly don't need it. One day, of course I'll be ready for a PF 2e. But that day is far, far down the road.
No gun to your head etc etc; I am sure you've heard the old cliche before.