Thomas Shey
Legend
Why do you feel like it isn't? Do you feel that rebuying the whole game is just "the way it is" and accept it?
Given, in practice, its the way virtually every new edition of every RPG ever worked, why wouldn't we? The only difference here is D&D has a bigger product line than some (but not all). If someone doesn't want a new edition, and can stand the fact there's passive motivation by the player base to move on, they just--don't. The fact there's such passive motivation is how the business element of RPG companies continue to function, and while not everyone has to like that, acting like its some sudden, unreasonable change here is a bit--dramatic.