What I'm most curious about is the reality v perception.
How many backers are older excited folks from earlier editions v new Free League supporters who had no idea about the old versions? How many older folks are as devastated as the handful of posters here v quietly accepting or even happy about the revision of the game?
I've been most excited that it's being introduced to a big new audience because my perception (note that I acknowledge I don't know the numbers) is that T2K players are a pretty small, maybe even incredibly small but committed group. There are what, a dozen or so folks here posting regularly at what is the busiest forum of the old guard? It feels like a little clubhouse. I love the passion but a tiny community nevertheless. No idea about how active FB groups are since I deleted but those also seemed quiet. That isn't meant to be a jab or anything, I admire your all's commitment.
That said, my perception (again, not knowing the numbers) is that FL just blew the door open on interest in the game and if even a fraction of those new folks dip into the older editions, it's a chance to expand this older edition community as well. For me personally, I don't want to sit at a table for hours resolving one firefight. I didn't even particularly love it when I played T2K through stretches of the 90s. So I'm happy maybe the combat will be a bit faster. What has most bummed me out is the overly simplified character creation. If they had expanded the skill lists and lifepaths just a bit, I'd have been way more satisfied. I've already debated selling the new edition metal box knowing it's unlikely I'll ever play it, but then, I've barely played the older editions in the last 20+ years because it's hard to find compatible folks who are interested in the game too (ignoring logistical challenges), yet every book sits quietly on the shelf anyway.
So back the primary thought, I wish we had the data on perception v reality. What do the numbers look like? My hunch without the data is that the tradeoff FL made was alienating a handful of the old guard to open the doors to several thousand new and interested Twilight:2000 players which exponentially grew the community. Folks here feel the sting, somewhat understandably, but I'm most sad that the vitriol means the new folks curiously investigating this forum won't feel welcome and the community here will not grow, which may be what some of you want based on the the tone of discussion sometimes. But we will likely never know any of this in any concrete way without data because most folks stay out of these discussions and just play the game. The likely vocal minority and silent majority skews our perception without that data.
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