Tim Avers, freelance writer and formerly of White Wolf and Gameboard Distribution, saw our coverage of Gameboard's early release of D&D 3.5 (see 'Gameboard Breaks 'D&D 3.5' Street Date') and wrote this shot across the bow for another venue, reprinted here with permission:

 

The ICv2 article talks about a level playing field.  How level is that playing field for retailers and distributors when chain stores have no apparent accountability to street dates?  I mean, what's Wizards going to do, realistically?  Cut Barnes & Nobles off?  Expect every clerk at Target to know the street dates?

 

There IS no level playing field in an environment in which manufacturers, directly or indirectly, sell not only to chain retailers but also to Internet discounters.