: 1. A lot of posters here, and those who have left, cite a feeling of being
: "burned out" on Halo. Question: how much of this fatigue was
: avoidable, or could have been avoided with different decisions/directions
: on the part of 343i?

Speaking for myself: It's all about growing up.

This site came into existence 14 years ago, so the fans are now 14 years older. Most were young at the time. I was 16 when Halo came out.

Now I'm 28, and to be honest most of the time playing a video game is at the bottom of my to do list, even when it comes to leisure time, and even then I only tend to play games that are outstanding. Halo 4 was ok, but not outstanding. Worth playing through once. But even the outstanding games I don't really want to devote a ton of time to anymore. There's no way I can play ANY game like I played Halo or Halo 2 or MGS2 or Portal or Marathon or Super Meat Boy. I've probably only got one more speedrun left in me. I play video games to overcome challenge, but even the most challenging game pales in comparison to the challenges in the real world.

The very idea of playing a video game alone in my house is increasingly unappealing (I will always play with friends in person, or better - at the Arcade.)

So I imagine a large number of people here just outgrew Halo.

343 didn't help any by making Halo 4 so similar to the rest of the series (Legendary was super easy this time around.) There was little discovery process. The only thing I think that can revitalize Halo for people in my situation would be to totally rethink the design. Perhaps even make it a new genre.

: 3. 343i doesn't come around here very often. Question: how much of this do
: you think is a result of 343i taking a different direction with respect to
: HBO/fan communities in general, and how much is due to HBO being an
: unwelcoming and sometimes hostile environment for them?

Why would you come around to a fansite that dislikes you and what you do? At least when I am negative, I always try to offer an analysis or solution. I try not to be negative without a reason, regardless of how bluntly I put things. I see a lot of people here who are just negative.

And how much fun would that be for 343?