: I've never been able to get into absurdly huge multimedia franchises, though,
: and so where I stand is precarious: if we must have this huge entity, I'd
: like things to much more contained, and thrive more on the setting than on
: carrying particular threads forward indefinitely. That fosters bloat, and
: if it's not done with extremely beautiful purpose, can drag other parts of
: the whole down. I don't want questions answered, unless the answer is
: more exciting than the question.

I think for me this is probably closest to how I see things :) I mean when you break it down:

- How long can the MC and his stories carry on? I would want them to as long as they quality remains and there is a reason to it. The Haloverse doesn't have a static universe (a la the simpsons) where characters don't age. MC is getting older and will have to bow out at some point.. but there's scope for more before then. It reminds me a little of 24. No matter how much time moves on and new people/deveopments come along Jack Bauer is always the only one with all the pieces or skills to get something done. Replaying Halo 4 yesterday and I was wondering.. why is it the MC clears the LZ on requiem and Palmer totters off.. with a bunch of SIVs around it would be a piece of .. ;)

- Would I stay interested in the universe in general.. yes, if the quality remains. Have lots of ancillary material if you want: I love the early books the way gaps were filled in, found FUD pretty good, short stories FTW but found Greg Bear's stuff hard going, didn't finish them so was a little confused playing through Halo 4 for the first time, as was the case with Kilo Five. Give Nylund whatever he wants ;) There's cool other ideas out there like ODST, Blue team missions etc that can work :)

- I want a focus on main continuity. Have it in universe, in game if possible and leave the extra material that's tangential for those that want to pursue it and try to avoid the bloat. I want to be able to stay in universe and understand most of canon without having to break my piggy bank every weekend for a new book or comic so I'm up to speed when the next big thing drops. Have cool little easter eggs and references but don't exclude those of us that grew up with Halo but can no longer devote the time or resources to every single item.