LogFAQs > #980184804

If the lore change contradicts the themes and purpose of the work then it's a bad change. If its a mostly superfluous detail, then it's justified. To use the hobbit example, one of the keys uses of hobbits in the text is the idea of how the smallest and seemingly most insignificant of all creatures winds up being perhaps the most important movers of that era of history. 8 foot tall hobbits ruin this idea. Mind you, I'd argue that the size of hobbits is so important to the plot that its above merely being in the category of lore.

Meanwhile, in 40k, the imperium is an uber fascist hellhole that no sane individual would want to live in. Being more egalitarian in who can join one of their elite military groups doesn't change anything significantly, since its still endless bloody war. The exact shape and colour of some armour from Fallout is similarly unimportant to the overall work.

Narrative (how a story is told) is more important than plot (the content of a story) which is more important than lore (the unimportant flavour text of the plot). Unfortunately, weird nerds, many of whom would be lucky to have their grammatically dodgy fanfiction approved, have got it into their heads that absolute consistency is the highest calling art can aspire to. Like with many subjects, they speak with authority on shit they know nothing about.

If Shakespeare can be heralded as one of the greatest English writers despite straight up deleting characters from the narrative (where did the Fool in King Lear vanish to?) maybe a piddly little retcon like women being allowed in a popular faction should be more tolerated.