After reading through the entire SotA 64 thread...well I did start skimming when I got back to the first couple of pages...OK I SKIPPED THE WHOLE FIRST PAGE BUT GEEZ! TAKE IT EASY! Anyway, I have to say kudos and cheers to the complainers.
As for those complaining about the complainers (heretofore referred to as complainers^2 ) and even the stalwart defenders, weren't yall a bit rough on those that were merely giving their (negative) opinions?
For example, I can see why it would be frustrating for someone who poured his or her heart and soul into writing good adept material--and for the legions of fans who have been raving for years to get some of the afore mentioned adept material--to have his or her hard work spurned, but I also understand the frustration of those who see the concept of Shadowrun being tech vs magic--a dichotomy of two separate, non-overlapping philosophies. It's a world of loud, gun toting sams vs quiet unarmed adepts; the mystical, obscure magic user vs the understandable, plain grunt detective; amorphous, ethereal spirits vs heavy, coarse drones. When adepts can use their magic to become proficient in almost any role, this particular worldview loses some flavor. You don't have to agree with it, and by all means suggest other ways of seeing it, but I believe the most appropriate response is acknowledgement and sympathy. I do realize that there was much overlap from the very beginning. Sams could be quiet and specialized in hand-to-hand just like an adept, but there were always some things that magic could do that mundane couldn't and vice versa.
The Shadowrun world seems to be trending in a direction of merger and overlap between technology and magic. This was somewhat hinted at in Dunkie's will and is happening elsewhere. That too is an interesting and flavorful development, but I for one understand the resistance.
This is just the observation of a complainer^3. Feel free to lodge your complaints^4 here.
P.S. The rest of the book sounds pretty good. I'll have to check it out.