It’s more about groups falling apart/keeping momentum than a lack of desire to play high level games. And for me, starting your characters at high level already is fine for a one shot but not great for a campaign.As with real life – shared experiences enrich relationships. Which goes for PCs and NPCs. Playing your characters just won't feel the same if you start off high level.

— Feysaan ✡ (@UncannyDoge) December 29, 2019

The data came as a shock to me, since my experience since 3e has been 1-20+ as a standard expectation.

I was incredibly lucky to have the groups I did that could make that work, and I very much see how most groups don't manage it.

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) December 30, 2019

I had similar experiences in 3.x

I was fortunate to play in 2 long campaigns that went to level 18-20. Admittedly none of the games I’ve DMed have ever gone that long.

I have a 2e game where I should hit level 17 this coming year if I survive, but that’s been going 26 years Oh lordy, 2e was another animal entirely. We had a campaign that ran for about 4.5 years, 2 of those years were minimum 1/week sessions, usually more, some all-day-Saturdays.

Our highest level PC had just hit level 15 when we stopped for good.

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) December 30, 2019

Impressive! Our first few years were like that, marathon sessions at least once a week. We took a loooong break in there for ours, probably 7-8 years. We only play once or twice a year now but it’s typically minimum of 10-12 hours over a weekend at a time. Great to get together.That sounds like an amazing time.

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) December 30, 2019

The "adventure path" model from Dungeon Magazine helped immensely with making those campaigns successful for us.

— Dan Dillon 👥 (@Dan_Dillon_1) December 30, 2019