I found this while rummaging through forums and the idea is an interesting one worth considering.

http://www.d20haven.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=58

QuoteOver on TheRPGSite, I made the off-reference to the Talking Heads song Once in a Lifetime by quoting "Same as it ever was." This was to indicate the feeling that some folks seem to have the 4e is the same game it has always been.

Out of curiosity, I looked up the lyrics to see if anyone had a reference to what the song was actually about. This led me to this passage in the Font of all Internet Knowledge - Wikipedia:

QuoteWith the lyrics "Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down", the song has a rather existential vibe to it, although it is usually interpreted to be a song dealing with the middle age crisis and the inevitable sacrifice of youthful ideals and dreams for conventional success

Information on mid-life crisis: again, from FoaIK:

QuoteMidlife crisis is a term used to describe a period of dramatic self-doubt that is typically felt in the "middle years" of life, as people sense the passing of youth and the imminence of old age....The result may be a desire to make significant changes in core aspects of day to day life or situation, such as in career, marriage, or romantic relationships.

This led me to consider this fact: D&D is going through its mid life crisis. It's 34 to 37 years old. It's making significant changes in core aspects. 4e is the red convertible sports car. 4e is the twenty-something mistress. 4e is the need to feel youthful in the face of age.

Yet another analogy...

QuoteOld wife: Gnomes -- Wise, cozy, handy.
New wife: Tieflings -- Sexy, dangerous, satan-curious.

Old car: Half orks -- Rugged, load bearing, noth'n fancy
New car: Eladrin -- Prim, teleporting, fancy to teh max.

Old career: Exploration -- Searching, mapping, setting watch.
New career: 4venture -- Running, shouting, pushing

Quote from: jeff37923Old wife: Gnomes -- Wise, cozy, handy.
New wife: Tieflings -- Sexy, dangerous, satan-curious.

Old car: Half orks -- Rugged, load bearing, noth'n fancy
New car: Eladrin -- Prim, teleporting, fancy to teh max.

Old career: Exploration -- Searching, mapping, setting watch.
New career: 4venture -- Running, shouting, pushing

That's awesome. :haw:

Quote"Many believe that men go through a midlife crisis when they are in middle age. Not quite. Many middle-aged men do go through midlife crises, but it's not because they are middle-aged. It's because their wives are. From the evolutionary psychological perspective, a man's midlife crisis is precipitated by his wife's imminent menopause and end of her reproductive career, and thus his renewed need to attract younger women. Accordingly, a 50-year-old man married to a 25-year-old woman would not go through a midlife crisis, while a 25-year-old man married to a 50-year-old woman would, just like a more typical 50-year-old man married to a 50-year-old woman. It's not his midlife that matters; it's hers. When he buys a shiny-red sports car, he's not trying to regain his youth; he's trying to attract young women to replace his menopausal wife by trumpeting his flash and cash."
-- 10 Politically Incorrect Truths About Human Nature

Perhaps D&D 4 IS a midlife crisis. But if so, I think it's because it wants to attract new, fertile mates. The 80s, 90s, and even the 00s are nearly over. In other news, you guys may not be flattering yourselves with this comparison.

Quote from: Abyssal MawPerhaps D&D 4 IS a midlife crisis. But if so, I think it's because it wants to attract new, fertile mates. The 80s, 90s, and even the 00s are nearly over. In other news, you guys may not be flattering yourselves with this comparison.

We're Cougars. :haw:

Quote from: StuartWe're Cougars. :haw:

Someone has to teach the virgins how to fuck. Looks like we're it.

:haw:

Pretty funny, except they got the old wife all wrong!

QuoteOld wife: Gnomes -- screws with your head "just 'cause", looks like a bit of wadded up putty that rolled into the dust under the desk, refuses to die

Kick her to the curb!  EDIT: The 'curb' being the MM, because you'll never actually be lucky enough to be fully rid of her.

Quote from: Abyssal MawPerhaps D&D 4 IS a midlife crisis. But if so, I think it's because it wants to attract new, fertile mates. The 80s, 90s, and even the 00s are nearly over. In other news, you guys may not be flattering yourselves with this comparison.

It's funny...

First - thanks for the plug jeff

Second, I loved the response with the comparisons.

Third, AM - It's not a knock on D&D, WotC, or 4e.  It's a recognition for recognition's sake. I've said many times that this was more about D&D moving  away from my outdated (apparently) tastes. I'm OK with that. I'm the jilted wife in your analogy - so be it. I'll simply keep the house and raise the kids and go on with my boring, happy life.

Quote from: James J SkachIt's funny...

First - thanks for the plug jeff

Second, I loved the response with the comparisons.

Third, AM - It's not a knock on D&D, WotC, or 4e.  It's a recognition for recognition's sake. I've said many times that this was more about D&D moving  away from my outdated (apparently) tastes. I'm OK with that. I'm the jilted wife in your analogy - so be it. I'll simply keep the house and raise the kids and go on with my boring, happy life.

...and I'll be having relations with our former babysitter. YES!

Quote from: James J SkachFirst - thanks for the plug jeff

My pleasure. I found the original post so funny that I reposted it on several boards.

And damnit, if we can't have a sense of humor about this changeover then we might as well go hide in the basement and become catpissmen.

So does that make non-DnD RPGs the neglected kids? Are we going to let White Wolf keep moping it up and coming home smelling of cloves? Is SJG going to get out of the basement and get a life? Green Ronin seems to be doing alright, but how will she handle college life? Now I'm getting pictures of characters from M&M games boozing it up at frat parties... it isn't pretty.

Quote from: beejazzSo does that make non-DnD RPGs the neglected kids? Are we going to let White Wolf keep moping it up and coming home smelling of cloves? Is SJG going to get out of the basement and get a life? Green Ronin seems to be doing alright, but how will she handle college life? Now I'm getting pictures of characters from M&M games boozing it up at frat parties... it isn't pretty.

Oh no, it's Traveller that you have to worry about. Those kids have broken into several different street gangs with the same partial name that all fight over the same turf. It's the Decline of Western Civilization, I tell you.

AM,

the simile stands. Because the reasons for the cirsis are irrelevant. Be real:

Most of the time the guy does absolutely ridiculous and lame stuff to impress the fertile chicks. There are few things less unsexy and less dignified thant a forty something guy wearing "hip" clothes and riding a motorcycle.

It´s pathetic, most of the time.

And if you REALLY want to be attractive to the hot chicks, you better show:

- experience
- power
- wealth
- dignity

Lot´s of guys with grey hear, suits and a fistfull of money get young chicks.
That´s to say they are sexy BECAUSE they are older and behave and dress according to their age.

I´ve never seen someone in his midlife crisis and going all "youthfull" being successful.
They end up being just pathetic.