Why I don't play D&D 4e

I liked AD&D.  I found it fun, but restrictive.  Something about what seemed like random class/level restrictions.

When 3rd edition came out, I thought the game was going to be ruined.  It had been simplified to an absurd level.  Only three types of saving throws?!  Insane!  No more THAC0?  How arrogant!  Challenge ratings instead of XP progressions?  No way!

And then I played it.  The game was smoother for us.  It ran better.  I could play a halfling paladin if I wanted to.  Prestige classes were pretty cool, too.  In the end my only problem was the way the game handled making magic items.  When I ran the game, I still used the old method laid out in the Spells and Magic supplement for AD&D.  Get special/unique items for a magic item, the difficulty getting them based on the power of the item.  Not only does it keep the mage from burning experience points, it adds flavor to the items they make.

Now for Fourth Edition, after having made the transition from AD&D to 3.0 and then 3.5, I was curious.  I didn't rant and rave about how the game was going to be ruined.  I had a bit of faith in the people making it.  I'd seen what they did with the game I'd played before and how much I hated them for it, but then I liked the game they put out, so I figured it would happen again.

But when I picked up the Player's Handbook for 4th edition...I wish I never opened it.  We tried playing it for a while, and it just never felt right.  The game felt more like a pen and paper version of a video game than a real tabletop RPG.  Almost all of my customization options were gone, as were some of my prefered characters.  Sure, they had playable dragon-people, but elves could overpower anyone of the same level.

Now, I still have a D&D night, but it really just refers to my 'random game night.'  It's easier to tell people that aren't in the group 'we play D&D' than say "Well, we get together and figure out a game to play from the selection that we each carry.  Sometimes it's Warhammer, other times we throw down on a single session adventure from 3.5, or we just go crazy with Munchkin, Kung Fu, or any number card games."