&quot;The reason FPGAs are so complex is that more than half of the die space is given over to the routing structures. &quot;<p>That premise doesn&#x27;t seem to be right. The routing adds overhead but that&#x27;s not the real complexity. FPGA&#x27;s have always been about trying to get more performance and flexibility at the same time. So, instead of simple structures and symmetry, the FPGA&#x27;s have all kinds of things on them ranging from complex logic units to MAC&#x27;s to processors to accelerators. This creates difficulty for both OSS and commercial EDA tools in efficiently handling them.<p>Customers want this stuff, though, because it lets them get more done with less or acceptable amounts of money. The open or simpler alternatives don&#x27;t. So, the market won&#x27;t shift to them. If anything, like with OS&#x27;s and smartphone SOC&#x27;s, the barrier to entry will only grow with those accepting something open or simple being a niche market.<p>Note: Lattice iCE40 is already serving a niche market. So, it fits my assessment.