For the optimum skill and connection matches, you need the widest possible player base.

Premium DLC introduces an additional split amongst the player base, reducing the effectiveness of matching on other terms

The value of premium DLC is reduced to those who purchased them if not required, and the value of the current game is reduced through fewer playlists if they are.

While those who do not wish to/cannot purchase DLC never have new content injected into their continued (subscription-payed-for) XBL experience.

Games get discounted over time, hardware gets cheaper, usually. Yet Mythic Map Pack II is still 800 points after 3 1/2 years, for a 6 year old game?

If that was Mattrick's vision for an all-digital future, then I'm quite glad the physical disc lives on.

Honestly, the model we have for Halo DLC is pretty much unchanged from about 2005 apart from never going free and recently adding a bundle-buy. It's awful. It lacks both vision and retrospective. They should stop trying to monetize competitive map DLC directly as it hurts the game.