D&D is starting to look like the pattern of even-numbered releases being slumps. 2nd was the end of TSR, then 3rd was the Renaissance of the game. So successful it kept Paizo and others in business for years after it’s “replacement” by the controversial 4th edition. I could see his argument being the case, with a closed off 6th edition leading to division and sales slumps. But it does lay the ground work for a flourishing indie scene to set up the eventual 7th edition, which maybe gets back to being open and unifying.

Or the division leads to lots of minor successes. The future is ever unknown.