I hate to say it but boy that's done wonders for the game's population hasn't it?
I don't know if its possible for Halo 4 to keep the population numbers of old, but I'd agree that not all the changes made to the formula have made sense. By not allowing classic playlists they're sacrificing one community to gain another and I never think that's the way to go.
That why I've been saying, a lot of the changes DO work, and make the game more approachable and more instantly gratifying - BUT the game should push those players to pro playlists after a point, when players have gained enough confidence with the systems and their play to move into higher skill matches with less of those systems at work.
Thing is, when you're completely redesigning gameplay concepts (equipment to AA's, power weapons on map to personal ordnance) and breaking core Halo gameplay tenets while you're at it (all players no longer spawn equally) you have to step back and reflect on whether you've sacrificed too much in order to accommodate this nebulously defined group of new players. It's been pushed so far in that direction that they've managed to alienate significant portions of the playerbase that loved and adored Halo because of those values it hitherto stuck to.
I agree with this, moreso now than at launch.
I just think the perspective in HaloGaf is also skewed more to higher skill play, with a team of regulars, and most of the audience doesn't have either of those to rely upon. If the competitive side had things completely their way the game would still have a dwindling playerbase imo.
343 has to cater to the competitive community and the casual and the new, and I'm guessing that they're aware of that now. Question is, what will they do about it?