If you want to know why I don't post as much any more - it's this level of discourse. And this sin't even a bad example. I post here as a member of the community. It's not actually a part of my job. Before you go off and say "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO..." etc, of course me and any member of the studio are supposed to take care of the needs of the community, we do, and we take it seriously and will continue to do so nonstop, through long hours, holidays, etc.
But is it too much to ask for conversation to remain civil? I simply try to speak to people as I would in real life. That's all.
This isn't something unique to gaf, or Halo, it's a general trend in everything from movies, to music to politics, and since it's not in my area of responsibility, I am choosing to avoid responding to this tone. While simultaneously reacting to its content as a practical aspect of the job.
So no matter how salty the conversation, the topics are being addressed and taken seriously, but the tone of discourse has plummeted over the years. I think new folks are used to it, or entered into it when it was like this, but I am old and farty and I remember how excited and optimistic folks used to be about this hobby.
I wasn't trying to be curt with that post. It was an honest question. I was a proponent for playing the game the way it was designed, the way it was meant to be played, "Vanilla Halo 4" right out of the box.
Watch older episodes of Social Skirmish, videos on my personal YouTube channel, and videos on the Halo Council preceding the "Thanksgiving Roast." I've attempted to remain RELENTLESSLY positive towards Halo 4. I encouraged; I straight up TOLD people to buy the Limited Edition, because at the time, the deal WAS amazing. Then, if you played the game prior to a certain date, LE bonuses were stripped, then the issues with the DLC occur, and armor is revoked.
There's no shortage of egg on faces here, and trust me, I'm not fuming. There's no omelettes being made. It was an honest question.
You said with the Reach TU you wanted the players to have choice, and Kevin Franklin has stated, I believe in his interview with Bravo, something along the lines of "we want you to try it our way, then we'll listen to your feedback."
So, without a modicum of hostility, I asked what changed?
I can assume it's because you felt proud of what you made, believed the changes you'd implemented to MP, opting to replace Firefight with Spartan Ops, and various others; that those changes were THE RIGHT changes. That's blatantly understandable.
Don't ignore the countless hours that have been put into positivity and constructive criticism because a bulk of the community are limited to 140 characters to communicate.
What frustrates me, and I'm sure it frustrates others in the community, is maybe a lack of honesty? A lack of understanding?
I get it, it's PR, the whole "14 Day Buy and Try," but isn't it better to have your customers feel like you can be honest with them; that they can trust you?
The fact that the closest thing we have to an apology is quasi-apologetic post in a small corner of the internet doesn't sit well with me, but that's personal opinion.
Also, consider everything we're NOT complaining about a giant success. If the internet is quietly promoting, then you've done good. Like you said, this is the internet. To expect them... us, to act any other way is foolish.
I don't check the YouTube comments on videos to brighten my day, I check them to see what I could be doing better.
So no matter how salty the conversation, the topics are being addressed and taken seriously, but the tone of discourse has plummeted over the years. I think new folks are used to it, or entered into it when it was like this, but I am old and farty and I remember how excited and optimistic folks used to be about this hobby.
I'll tell you exactly why this is.
It's because you're most outspoken, dedicated fan base... which isn't the hardcore competitive community, which isn't MLG, which isn't anything BUT the people who grew up on Halo; the people who WANT to see Halo succeed, are worried and with each game, each update, each bulletin, there is nothing to ease that worry.
I'm sorry if I struck a nerve, but when the hand touches a hot, Halo: Reach stove, the brain tries to remember not to make the same mistake again.
<3