I didn't expect this at all. This seems like its pretty much an advertising device for TMCC. Maybe it could be something more as time progresses which I'm hoping for.

: I also hope they stop making up colonies so we can give the current
: colonies more weight and meaning. Whatever colonies are left, anyways.

I think 343i has been very good at making existing colonies remain in the limelight through major settings or the briefest mentions. Remember that Earth, at least pre-war, had a few dozen major colonies, and hundreds and hundreds more minor colonies. Even for a war that lasted 27 years I donut that the Covenant even bothered glassing a large percentage of them. That's time and resources tied down for little advantage elsewhere.