WotC, why don't you just admit it already?

[Stormtalon]

Quick answer -- 'cause it ain't true?

More detailed answer -- 'cause many of the changes are to things that have been the subject of YEARS of griping, things like the spellcasting system that were so badly broken that it was easier and better to start from scratch than try to bolt on yet another fix? Because in the case of 1E & 2E, game design in regards to RPGs was still in its infancy? Because the changes made in 3E to fix the deficiencies in the earlier editions appeared pretty good on the face, but in the end suffered from the Law of Unintended Consequences (as, I expect, some of 4th will as well, it's pretty much inevitable)? Because you're assigning blame to WotC for even 1st and 2nd editions, when they had nothing to do with it?

Ya know, I think I've spent more time on this absurdity than it really rated, so I'll stop there.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I sincerely wish you give up on D&D one day and hand it over to someone who's willing to make the game the way it was originally supposed to be.

Originally? Yeeeeaaaaaah . . .

 

[Mallus]

They need to keep "what sells" as opposed to "what's good for gaming and consistency".

Care to explain how keeping what doesn't sell would be good for the hobby?

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Nah, it was Chocolate and Fairy Farts

Fairy Farts make the world go 'round.

 

[Grog]

Originally? Yeeeeaaaaaah . . .

Chainmail FTW!

 

[Dice4Hire]

Obviously Wizards is interested in making money, and they are going to with 4E. Of course they would have made money also making a new set of complete books for 3.5, or making a new campaign setting, or making a spin-off d20 game, or a book of monsters, or........

Same as a car manufacturer makes money off the new model, the "Hottest thing ever seen" year after year after year.

Perhaps, Razz, you would have less bile if you became an entrepreneur who developed and sold a new product. But remember not to change it a bit from its first version, not a single tiny detail, because the only reason for that would be making money, not making improvement, correcting past mistakes, or just trying to update it for a new set of users.

 

[RangerWickett]

So Razz, tell us: how is D&D supposed to be?

 

[Reaper Steve]

They want to start D&D all over again from scratch.

That's basically it. That's what this is all about. In order to make their precious money, they have to abandon most, if not all, of what had gone before in the past 3 editions. They need to keep "what sells" as opposed to "what's good for gaming and consistency". They need to get rid of the things in D&D that confuse simpletons that try to get into the game, that confuse people who are a afraid to think, improvise, or customize with D&D.

False conclusion.
As a long time D&Der, I would argue that starting D&D over from scratch is exactly 'what's good for gaming and consistency.'
Oh yeah, thanks for the 'confused simpleton' remark.

 

[GreatLemur]

They want to start D&D all over again from scratch.

I wish they'd start D&D all over again from scratch.

 

[Kunimatyu]

Razz, are you sure this is the place to hang out? In general, most of the people posting in this forum are at least somewhat excited and enthusiastic about 4e, even if they don't like every single small piece that's been revealed.

It seems pretty clear that you really don't like 4E, and (judging from the other responses in this thread) you're not persuading anyone else, so...why not find a better arena for this?

I recommend Circvs Maximvs -- the mod policies are a lot less restrictive, and a lot of D&D oldtimers hang out there. Give it a shot!