Naked Hobo

So 4th edition Dungeons and Dragons had been out for few months now, and I have heard and read numerous reviews and people’s opinions.  I am not upgrading.  It has nothing to do with 4th edition being evil, or any nostalgia for older systems.  I remember buying the core books when 3rd edition came out because the group I played with at the time played it.  When 3.5 came out, I decided the same as I am now, no upgrade for me.  I didn’t care if they fixed things or not, everything that I felt was broken I had fixed myself.  I do have 3.5 now, but only because a friend gave me the core books.  See, the simple reason that I am not going to buy the 4th editions books is this, I don’t need them.  Even if I played D&D more often than I do I still wouldn’t buy the new books.  I have no need for them.  I have no problems with the books I have.  I will not belittle or begrudge those that do buy the new books.  I do not hold any hatred towards the company for releasing a new edition.  I know that they did it for a variety of reasons, though most obviously they did it for money.  That is a big reason why they still exist, they make money.  When they cease to make money, they will cease to be.  I have all I need right now to play D&D and have plenty of fun doing it.  I am sure that those that have embraced 4th edition enjoy it.  That is fine by me.  If I have friends that want to play 4th edition and want me to join in, sure, just don’t expect me to buy the books.  I have paid my dues when it comes to D&D.  I have forked over a lot of cash and I have a system I am happy with.  Perhaps if I had money falling out of my pockets I would invest in this, but as it is, I have so many other things I would rather have. The only problems I have with 4th edition is the two camps that arise every time something is revised or redone or rereleased.  On one side you have the old timers that refuse to upgrade because this new thing is a tool of evil and nothing more than a symbol of corporate greed and the company’s way of saying screw you to its older faithful customers.  On the other side is the come join us types.  If you aren’t playing 4th edition then you aren’t really playing D&D, you are playing some archaic thing that is past its prime.  I dislike both of these groups.  Life shouldn’t be so hard that we need to draw lines in the sand about a freakin’ game.  If you like the old boxed sets and that is what D&D is to you, fine, play it till the crayons wear of your dice.  If you love the new 4th edition, fine, enjoy.  I will play whatever version the guy running the game chooses, so long as they don’t make demands on my pocketbook.  Every player does not need a copy of the core books.  When I started we had one of each book and we shared them.  If I decide that some day I want to play in a sanctioned game, then I will expect to play 4th edition.  I can’t expect the company to produce numerous bersions of every product to fit all of their previous systems, that is not possible.  Besides, I can go online and easily find conversions to and from each edition.  It may take a little work, but hey, it is easier in my mind than forking out the 34.95 per book for a new edition.  If you want me I’ll be playing the Dark Tower boardgame.