None of my responses here are said in anything but love (I don't think they're in anyway going to be hateful, I just wanted to paint a picture of how I'm presenting my words), I would hope that I have spent enough time around here to have some credibility to this statement.

: The gossip and the speculative vitriol (especially from some of the same few
: people), not to mention this seemingly-accepted 'canon' of what were good
: and bad entries in the Halo universe (ex: I loved the graphic novel but
: see it continually referenced as a failure as a-matter-of-fact, I prefer
: Bungie's depiction of Master Chief rather than Nylund's, etc.) wears me
: out.

This is the case in any forum though Levi, it's the same reason people have been all but banned from the DBO forums and others, whose leaving was welcomed via other member's posts, leaving of their own dissatisfied accord there. Those people (both at D* and H*) in no way represent the community by large, and I know you are aware of that.

I am unsure though of what you mean by the accepted canon of good and bad entries in the Halo universe. I don't think you could poll everyone who's posted to HBO in the past year and get a consensus on any lore material, but people do have opinions and are more than welcome to share them without attack. I don't believe HBO has ever made an official statement on what is 'good canon' or 'bad canon'. Coincidentally, the closest you could probably ever get all of us to agree on something would be "A Fistful of Arrows" which many of us remain convinced is canon, or at least our own head-canon! :)

: I mean 343i literally DID cancel a project I was working on, and, while I
: didn't enjoy the experience of course, I STILL don't think they were
: "complete dicks" or that evil management was to blame! There are
: always two, if not more, sides to these kinds of stories.

: From my point of view, the Bungie team was putting Halo CE together inside of
: a year for Microsoft (I've heard the majority of CE was built in the last
: 8 months before release), and trying to build their own world and perfect
: its story. At the same time, a tie-in novel was being written trying to do
: the same thing - that sounds like hell on both sides! To me, the fact that
: we got two amazingly entertaining results is something to be cherished.
: Trautmann also went on to write the entaining Art of Halo in 2004.

: Instead I see strained experiences kicked around to fit the views of a few
: disgruntled fans whose narratives have continually turned me away from BO
: forums. You see this kind of stuff all over the internet these days.
: Somebody says harsh words, sometimes even just an innocent critique, and
: the studio they designed for or the director of the movie they were in is
: tarred and feathered in articles and comments and forums. That crap sticks
: in my brain and I don't want any part of those attitudes. It does me no
: good to get fill my mind with angry thoughts on a situation I wasn't even
: a part of and can't really know anything about for sure.

This is unfortunate that the comments from two (maybe three) posters has turned you off from what really is one of the best discussions we've had at HBO lately. The blank slate vs fleshed out protagonist is one with obvious value to both Halo/Bungie/343I fans and fans of video games in general. People stated their opinions, but other than a two or three people equating Bungie management to genitalia or lower body orifices, it has remained very civil and well thought out. It might not be opinions or statements we agree with, but I feel like the attacks have been very few and far between, less than average even for an online discussion.

: I just don't have the interest anymore in sifting through stuff like this to
: find where the enthusiastic and inviting/welcoming discussion has gone.
: And it's not how I want to remember my great times with Halo and the HBO
: community. :(

: *Takes a long, wistful look around; hurriedly stuffs ashtray in pocket on the
: way out.*

I think this is where some might find an air of disdain toward the general HBO community. While I whole-heartedly believe you have every right in the world to express your disappointment in what you perceive is a disconnect with a community you were once very involved in, it might be a case where there is a better way to present that. I, personally, would love to continue to see you participate in any discussion here, or even post some new Halo art. Your digital comic proves beyond any doubt that you excel in both! I know you are passionate about the content Bungie Studios puts out, but I do believe there is value in both what 343I is doing with Halo these days, and what the people here at HBO have to say about it. Would love for you to be a part of that Levi, any time you would like to!

- MacGyver10