Except this objectively is not a new edition, and it is meant to be compatible with old adventures. Plus, from a business perspective, their options are either continue to put out product even if it won't mesh with what's slated for down the line or operate at a massive loss for a few quarters since you're not putting out new sources of revenue. And as a publicly traded company, they have a fiduciary duty to do what they can to avoid that second option.

So long as WOTC are true to their word (whatever value can be placed on that), I don't see an issue with compatibility.  They've stated it'll be compatible and considering the strengths of 5e and its entrenchment as a system in the grand scheme of TTRPG's anything other than a smooth transition is going to be career suicide for those responsible - career's that may be on shaky ground as is.

There's plenty of ill-feeling towards them - that's evident from the tone of my post and a cursory look at the forums, but the more important point here is likely Rogues'. They answer to the shareholders and we've seen "activist" movements on that front in recent history and Hedge-Funders outing themselves as (fellow) nerds.  Also "urging for boardroom changes following Poor Governance and Questionable Disclosure Practices".  I think that statement's hugely important and sets a tone for the Shareholder's expectations of D&Done.

It's worth a look at the long and chequered history of D&D, its ownership and how Edition changes have gone - alongside those changes in ownership.  If I'm being objective (as much so as I can as a hobbyist/consumer) it's an amusing tale of mismanagement and a varied ownership that's not really understood "the product" since it left the hands of Gygax et al (who (praise AO) didn't understand the business side).  There's really been no synergy between those two elements - and I still don't think there is.  We're still in a position with Hasbro wanting to milk every last penny from hobbyists - like Magic Cards (which isn't my realm of interest), but they don't understand the market - other than there' is a market - and "hell, slap the Logo on, they'll buy anything" kind of an attitude - nor its place in the "grand scheme" of The Hobby.  In an ideal world, Hasbro would spin off WOTC into a seperate entity with a board that make prudent long term decisions to have a healthy and growing hobby market.  One with the realisation that (Pathfinder and all the other "nerd stuff") and a thriving hobby market benefits WOTC in the long term and that's going to involve "good product".  Ultimately the shareholders their returns and the market (which do synergise one way or another) will decide.

Something something - it needs to "work" for people to justify their jobs.

* I love this hobby, I just don't love it in the hands of WOTC + they deserve all  the criticism that's gone their way.  I do kinda think it'll be alright as a soft Edition Transition.  I don't have high hopes for actual quality of product without sweeping changes at WOTC board level, but that's probably a different thread.