I feel like a bit of an explanation is in order, so apologies in advance for the long response. Over the years and events I've been fortunate to be invited to, I've had a lot of conversations with 343 (and before, Bungie) folks. But I've always felt that I shouldn't post much about those conversations because they were 1:1 discussions and I felt I would be violating some kind of trust if I took to 'reporting' on those talks online. I didn't want people to talk to me thinking I was trying to catch them out or get some scoop. Really, I just wanted to be there and talk with people who made the games, and I always felt crazy lucky to be able to do so. And it turns out, they wanted to talk with fans. A LOT of the Bungie and 343 people at the community events were not required to be there - they came because they wanted to hang with, and hear from, the community, on their own time.
There were times and places for interviews and I wasn't conducting any, so I've always held what was said at those events and in those conversations in confidence.
So there's really no way you could have known what I said - I never really posted about it. I went, and then talked about impressions on the games, and left it at that.
To summarize my experience from one event, at the PAX 2012 community party, I talked with a few of the 343 developers. I remember specifically saying I was worried about the plasma pistol included in load outs in BTB, and how it seemed like they were reacting to balance issues by creating other balance issues, such as the perk that reduced the EMP effect on vehicles. My preferred solution was to not put the PP in the loadout - and then remove the perk. We talked about other things, like global ordnance and the 3x scope on the DMR, and the return of the jet pack.
While I was offering input, I realized from the conversations that I wasn't saying anything they hadn't debated about internally at 343. They just felt strongly about the vision they had for the game and wanted to see it through. My thoughts were welcome - but they felt they had been addressed, or otherwise felt strongly enough about their vision for the game that they simply disagreed.
So I do think they were listening - but they didn't necessarily agree with me. I sure wish they did, though.
At another event focused on Forge (the week before launch, HBO and other sites reported on it) prior to launch, I'd say about 1/3 of the conversation was critical to negative. The attendees were disappointed in the lack of precision editing, the lack of flexible open space to craft Sandbox-style maps, and the reused Forge World pieces. In the case of Forge, it was too late to add in UI elements like precision editing. But some of the designers built and released that Forge map for free some months later, which was built on their own free time, because they realized and agreed with fan criticism about the lack of Forgable spaces. And they could do something about that.
I think there's a kind of reverse confirmation bias when it comes to managing a game like Halo. In nearly every update, I've seen people on HaloGAF cheer a number of the changes. But that's mixed with dismay at other changes, or ones not made; the same ones people in other communities might be rejoicing over. (Which is not to say some things are not inexplicable.)
On the whole, I've been pretty disappointed in what I've seen from 343's handling of the game since I stopped playing it. The addition of new perks strikes me as really alarming, especially when it comes to implications for Halo 5. (Edit: and the handling of power weapons and spare weapons on the map, for that matter.) My own take is, they don't ignore feedback that perks are bad, so much as disagree with it.
I tend to agree with nearly all of your critiques of the franchise, BTW. (Just not always the delivery.) I got so exasperated I simply gave the game away and walked away from the franchise in dismay. My sense is, a lot of people are doing the same. At this point I'm not sure what else we can do. 343 is making a game that I'm not interested in.
(As a side note, I regret the whole dick wagging reference in my previous reply. I was going for colorful/funny but I think ended up with the kind of ugliness I generally try to avoid. Sorry.)
