I read cursorily through your article and it seems to me the major mechanic (no "this is always better") is still there. What aspects do you feel have changed

I read cursorily through your article and it seems to me the major mechanic (no "this is always better") is still there. What aspects do you feel have changed the nature of the game? I've only played DCSS for a few years and it seems the game now is a bit kinder with newbies but not substancially different.