Why is it not a smart move? If they hit their intended demographic, it was a smart move for them, whether we like it or not. If their sales reflect what/who they target for, then I don't know who the demographic is (why would you ask me to point to the demographic? sales are sales), but it exists. And that's the point.

: At the cost of the fantastical, yes.
: The problem is, 343i sucks at delivering the fantastical. A lot of what
: Requiem, the Prometheans, and the Didact are detracts from the mythically
: advanced race depicted in Bungie fiction.

Subjective. I don't disagree on principle. Obviously people DO enjoy their work. If they focus on them, and they feel the game is successful, they they'll see it as success. I'm not arguing opinions on whether I/we think the game was good or well written or anything.

: Halo is so big, and has so much going for it, 343i could have put out a game
: where each level had a twist like Mass Effect 3's ending, and it would
: still go strong from the momentum alone.
: Tell me, have I said very much that's positive about 343i's handling of Halo
: 4? I'm still here, aren't I? I'm still trying to get Spartan Ops games
: going with friends.
: Hell, what're the sales numbers on the Sonic games?

*shrug*
Was Microsoft aiming for top spot record-breaking first day/first week/first month sales amongst XYZ groups, website ratings, etc etc. I dunno. Just saying. By the way they're treating their "close" community, it certainly feels like there is a different core gamer community now that who we still are; and we're not necessarily the target demo any more. They may be good or bad for them in the future, but right now it seems like they feel it is a success. I certainly hope they listen to the 'veteran' fan community with criticisms (constructive) about the game and story, before they release the next one.

: Um...

: I don't buy it.
: I don't think that Halo was at a point where reinvention was necessary.
: It seems to me as if you're talking about what the comics industry calls a
: "Jumping on point". ...
: When 343i took the reins, Halo was already at a jumping on point. The
: Human-Covenant War had ended, the Flood was defeated, and it looked like
: we were setting forth into a whole new era.

Right

: So, the question is, did Halo have to change to stay hip and current?

That is indeed the question.

: I don't think so.

I think 343 Industries did :P

: In fact, I think that 343i actually hurt the franchise by
: resetting the status quo.

From our perspective perhaps. Only the future will tell. As above, right now, it looks like (at least publicly) they are happy with the results.

: The Halo storyline had plenty of potential to
: continue if they focused on the splintering of the Covenant and Humanity's
: struggle to rebuild.

There's lots of things they could have done. I'm sure there are stories that could have been told that we'd love, perhaps even the non-story-driven gamer, and certainly there are amazing writers out there they could have worked with to provide that experience. Hindsight... They put out what they were happy with *shrug*

: Wait. Were you talking about the story direction 343i took, and how it was
: close to a reboot? Or were you talking about something else? Like the
: visuals?

Either/or? Both? *shrug* Both are endlessly debated in Halo forums. Both are a matter of opinion.

: Like how the Elites are rebuilding? Or how Thel managed to stay in power when
: he needed Lord Hood to put down a rebellion for him?

Perhaps. Love it or hate it. The numbers (related to their target results - whether monetary profit or community adoration) speak. To us, we may interpret it as going downhill. To them, perhaps they see it as Good given their projections and goal for the release.