>>2407702Its fun.
The 90's brought the constant scare tactics targetted at it, with every preacher and paranoid mother thinkin it was the Devil trying to get at the poor childrens. Because of this, they didn't release any official editions and interests dwindled. Then Wizards of the Coast picked it up in '97 and started working on 3rd edition to be released in 2000.
This is just the results of time. Its one of those games you hear about and disregard, though you hold on to an inkling of interest. When one of your friends joins a group of his coworkers for a 1-off and has a lot of fun, he's gonna tell everyone else about it. Then you sit down at a table with some of your buddies, go on an adventure in a simple yet interesting setting and turn your DM's expectations on its head.
There are so few games like it. I love board games, but I wouldn't want to play Monopoly every Saturday afternoon for a year. Obviously when something becomes popular imitators will crop up left and right, but D&D has held its ground since '74, and will continue to do so as long passionate people can make it fun. My wife spends dozens of hours a week working on the details of her campaign, from NPC's to the world setting to narratives based around our characters. She gushes over how much she loves it and how many options she has within the books. I wish I had her drive for creation.
But yeah, its cause its fun. If it is jews, well the did something right.