Maybe its just me, but I read it less as "343 lost hbo" and more of "Schooly wishes things were like the old days".

Population is low? Things are bad? 343 is lost and has no idea what its doing? Says who? It's about perception.

I'll just post the thoughts I have on all of this that are the loudest in my mind. These are in no particular order, bracketed to make the individual cars that make up my train of though easier to explore.

First and foremost, this is halo.bunige.org

It is a Bungie fan site at the end of the day. Bungie's Halo.

While I am happy people come here to discuss the evolving story, characters and direction the universe is taking under the stewardship of 343, I absolutely loath any discussions about MM, TU's, weapon tuning, population counts and other pissing contests.

We need more of the former and less of the latter around these parts.

The latter leads to bile. Bile turns the conversation in a direction that are overwhelmingly negative and unproductive.

Want a reaction? get people talking about the things they don't like. No one talks about the stuff they do like. It's just seeminly easier to jump on the discussion band wagon that way I suppose.

Post a thread about Elite physiology and no one bats an eye.

Post a thread about how much 343 sucks and everybody loses their minds.

You'll attract a member who hasn't posted anything in weeks or longer but will magically post in the hate thread the same thing they've posted in the other hate threads.

It must really suck to be a lurker here :/

People, tastes, hobbies, and franchises change.

You shouldn't expect to be a fan of everything just because a name is attached to it.

When a franchise gets to a critical mass, there will be growing pains, and then restructure.

You're feeling the change of the guard.

Out with the old, in with the new.

This is nothing new. I don't know why you people make such a big deal of it. The community ebbs and flows.

Have you been the rabid competitive Halo fan you identify yourself as since day 1? Everyday?

Have you been an HBO dude since day 1?

I know I haven't. So how can I judge the population? I'd argue that around here, the only one who can measure the kind of change you are asking about is someone who's been here since HBO's inception, and the only people I can think of are Wu, Kermit, and Cody Miller. (apologies to anyone I miss)

The era of the Halo 1 lan is dead.

The era of the Halo 2 dudebro is dead.

If I asked you what your "golden era" of Halo is/was what would you say? From what I know or think about you schooly, I'd say Halo 2.

Now, if you asked me that question I would answer " I don't know. It hasn't happened for me yet".

Perhaps that is the difference between myself and why I can say openly that halo 4 isn't my cup of tea, but I'm still excited and enjoying everything else. While I look forward all everyone else seems to be able to do is look back.

I don't come to HBO because of Bunige, or 343. or Halo games. I come for everything ELSE Halo.

HBO is a nexus of Halo news from established and obscure places.

I come here to see cool random Halo shit.

I don't come here to discuss population values and weapon tweaks. Those kind of topics were more relevant when Bunige was the steward of Halo and came here because it was also a BUNGIE fan site. There was a chance they would see it.

Those kinds of topics are now better served on 343's own forums IMO. they'll see them there. I know 343 comes to HBO because they featured the AR I was working on in their blog. The only place I posted that to was here and the 405th, so that means they came here to get it.

It seems clear to me that 343 comes here to scan the front page and pick up cool Halo news. They don't come here to read these kinds of forum posts.

They have enough of that on their own site.

The people that come here to lament that Halo 4 isn't what they wanted it to be perplex me to no end.

It's not like things are going to magically change. It's like, why do you hang around at a place that clearly only causes you grief?

Maybe it's more like stalking an ex-girlfriend/boyfriend. You keep checking to see if they get fat or are dating someone better or worse than you...for what? Validation? Satisfaction? Schadenfreude?

That kind of stuff is toxic.

Look, you broke up. You had your good times, but you two aren't heading in the same direction anymore. One of you wants a change and the other doesn't. It's Ok. Time to move on. That doesn't mean you can't still be friends, wish each other well, or run into each other from time to time and shoot the breeze.

(Using the global "you" here)

You might have come here for Halo but you may be surprised to find the reason you stay is the people you've met and friends you've made.

Say what you will about 343, but the one thing Halo has never been is the exact same. It's always changed, always evolved. Remember when that tagline was important?

I don't think anyone would disagree with me that 343 sure has changed a lot of stuff.

And they should! The only way to get better is to try! See what sticks! See what fails! Learn and try again!

You don't have to like every evolution. But just because you don't like one change it shouldn't mean immediately write future ones off.

Part of being a mature, balanced person is the ability to recognize why you don't agree with or like something but still respect others for feeling differently than you do. To be able to see the opinions differ and leave it at that.

Look, we all know this dance by now. Complainers complain. I complain about the complainers. People complain about me complaining about the complainers. Why the hell are we still dancing if no one wants to dance!?

If you are trying to use HBO as some kind of barometer or.... early warning system in terms of the overall Halo population and community I think you are woefully misguided.