Remember Abyssal Maw's constant snickering about how detractors of 4e are all ex-gamers and all that? Well. I'll also add that, though I think that he was obviously wrong to dump everyone disagreeing with him in an extreme category just for the sake of shock value, I think that his point was generally right: at some point you've got to wonder whether you're going to spend your time arguing with people over the internet, or playing, prepping, posting about the games you like.

I've changed my habits on the internet. I'm no longer willing to go on splitting hair forever if there's no hope of having any meaningful exchange beyond "I win, you lose." I care about the Ptolus game, about my notes to share stuff with other people via other venues, started thinking about another Ptolus game, participate in a number of games run by people I appreciate - the play's the thing now more than ever. Any other topic of conversation is secondary at this point.

Quote from: thedungeondelver;455662You know you're right; that's probably a good release valve for both "sides" of the argument.

It nearly eliminates the latest is the greatest and the other editions suck line you get from the publisher.

I know that many at Wizards respect the older editions in principle but in the end where they invest their dollars in shows what they really consider important.  There nothing wrong with that but thanks to the OSR, and Paizo fans of prior editions now can feel that there a place that support what they like.

Quote from: Benoist;455687Remember Abyssal Maw's constant snickering about how detractors of 4e are all ex-gamers and all that? Well. I'll also add that, though I think that he was obviously wrong to dump everyone disagreeing with him in an extreme category just for the sake of shock value, I think that his point was generally right: at some point you've got to wonder whether you're going to spend your time arguing with people over the internet, or playing, prepping, posting about the games you like.

I've changed my habits on the internet. I'm no longer willing to go on splitting hair forever if there's no hope of having any meaningful exchange beyond "I win, you lose."

Same here in general, but for me it happened around a decade ago or so.  Aggressively arguing for the sake of arguing got kinda boring for me, whether online or offline.  (When I was younger, I was a very argumentative person).

In practice, most arguments were along the lines of "how many angels can dance on the head of a pin" (for lack of a better description).

I gradually came to the realization that most arguments and debates were largely a "tempest in a teapot", and who can outwit the other person by sheer will or "force of personality".

This minute long scene pretty much covers internet arguments. In the end, they mean NOTHING.

http://thechive.com/2011/05/04/next-time-you-listen-to-a-debate-keep-these-words-in-mind-video/

Quote from: danbuter;455722This minute long scene pretty much covers internet arguments. In the end, they mean NOTHING.

http://thechive.com/2011/05/04/next-time-you-listen-to-a-debate-keep-these-words-in-mind-video/

Many offline arguments done face to face in person, are like this too.

Quote from: estar;455650While playing with a well designed system is always nice what really makes the game is good roleplaying and good refereeing. The two areas that tend to be discussed the least.

This.

Quote from: Soylent Green;455683Mostly I just feel left out. It's a reminder that while I may not be into D&D most of the hobby is, and passionately so.

And this.

Thanks guys

Edition wars--for several games, not just D&D--plumb the depths of my hypocrisy. I think they're silly when attempting to compel folks to play my preferred edition. Yet I can't get over them when someone's attempting to compel me to play a non-preferred edition. I understand that it's all about casting spells and pretending to be elves and shit. It's not different enough to argue about, especially when the fun is in the group, not the game.
And yet . . . When  make up my mind, I won't like a game I hate, and there it is. With D&D in perticular, I'm sure this has cost me some fun. Unquestionably, it's cost me hours playing. So I know what I like, but I have a policy about not going off on edition rants or resenting players for not liking obscure supplements or archaic editions, because mostly it's cool that they want to play.
I guess that's all I really get out of it.

It's Forum Valhalla. Those who were banned for flaming now fight their flamewars over and over again for the rest of the Internet's existence - but in preparation of a good cause! When Ragnarok comes and all forum software will collapse under the attack of Trolls and Jötuns, we Flame Warriors will stand and fight besides the Admins.

Quote from: KenHR;455639Free entertainment.

Quote from: One Horse Town;455675A headache.

A bit of both.

Entertainment from watching people be stupid.

So there is a 4th edition of D&D out.  If you like D&D 3.0 or 3.5 then you can play them, no storm troopers are going to break down your door and take away your earlier editions of D&D.

I think most gamers just like to be over dramatic.  The whole edition wars drama is stupid.

Quote from: Settembrini;455680Valve for the righteous rage against the multi-layered stupidity and bad taste of WotC.

Yeah, they are stupid by creating an edition in an attempt to try to get more people into the hobby and make an edition that is not as overcomplicated as 3.0 and 3.5

Settembrini, you are like most gamers.  You think you know a lot about business and now it works you dont know crap.  Thats why most game companies run by gamers suck.

Quote from: thedungeondelver;455614Regardless of your perspective, whether you're a fan of Original D&D, 1e, 2e, 3e, 4e, Basic/BECMI/RC, or whatever, what do you get out of it?

Discussions concerning differences between editions occasionally teach me some valuable stuff about how RPGs are put together, how they function, and how they can address various player desires and goals.

QuoteI used to see 3e (and early on 4e) as being roadblocks to fun and stepping stones to people who were denigrating the great things about D&D (to wit: Gary's prose, and his modules and the modules of guys like Al Hammack, RJK, etc.)

For example, this discussion has taught me that if the only "great" things about your game are (a) the prose and (b) the supplements, then you don't have a great game. That was good insight. Thanks.

Wars, OTOH? Not much to be gained there.

Quote from: thedungeondelver;455614I ask because most of my introduction to D&D forums on the web was the EW forum at dragonsfoot.org (the actual address was dfforum.org back them).

What is "EW"?

Eldritch Wizardry (D & D Supplement III) seems unlikely.

Forgive me if I seem lazy for asking. I'm tired and curious.

Quote from: Phillip;455809What is "EW"?

Eldritch Wizardry (D & D Supplement III) seems unlikely.

Forgive me if I seem lazy for asking. I'm tired and curious.

Enworld probably.

It's sport.

In rhetorical contests, as in boxing, someone who cannot take it should not step into the ring and try to dish it out.

Unlike boxing (or football, or what have you), it is not likely to cause serious injury.

Has anyone ever bothered to arrange for a score keeper or referee before starting an "edition war"? Probably not, and there's no actual force involved -- as in military or political or commercial war -- to compel admission of defeat.

So, it's sport just for its own sake rather than for trophies.