A pencil and paper RPG and a video game are wildly different things. When I go back and look at a favorite video game from 20 years ago, I think “those graphics were poor.” When a buddy of mine says, “Let’s play some AD&D” and he runs an old school game, I don’t think it is outdated. Bottom line: Imagination and creativity don’t have a limited shelf life.

That said, I think it is cool that rules change over time. I hated 4th edition D&D, loved Pathfinder and now enjoy 5th edition. I just dislike when a company makes changes to improve cash flow instead of the game. I’m looking at 3.5 and 4th edition when I say that.

Thanks for the upvotes… It just feels a little unsupported from the adventure/setting side. I’m trying to remember what previous versions had out on day 1.

This is an odd launch the big 3 coming out so far apart. But everything has been really solid, so I wait.

Good point. I think console lifespan is a better comparison than games. As mentioned above, typically Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo come up with a new system every 5-6 years. Getting new books or a new console is a hit in the wallet, worth it in most cases.

Why? Would you want to keep using the same books for 20 years? You don’t still buy Xbox and Gamecube games, do you? These arguments keep cropping up and they’re nonsensical.

Yeah but you can’t fault a company for wanting to stay in business, can you? And if they stay in business, we get more content. That’s why it’s extremely important for fans to buy the books, not pirate them. And, look at it from a video game console point of view–do you get upset when Nintendo releases a new console ever 5-6 years? That would be silly. Of course not.

buying new books sucks, but 3.5 (5 years) and 4 (6 years) were the active version for quite a while. I hope we get 5 years or so for 5e. I don’t see Hasbro letting 5e go for over 10 years like 2e.