I started re-watching the halo 5 sprint in anticipation for halo 6 and in the very first episode the lead map designer is taking about changing out some walls on midship for energy shields. While talking about this he says “I was thinking about how we should change out energy shields for these walls, if were still doing that kinda thing in this title and if the covenant still uses that kinda technology” THATS the problem, the people working on halo aren’t invested enough in what halo is and what its about it’s to the point where they dont even know if the game they’re working on has a major classic halo component in it. Or if the covenant isn’t going to be using energy shields? What kinda crazy overhaul were they gonna do? Completely change the soul of them and their existence? Idk but the more I watched sprint the more I saw the disconnect with the workers and the game. It’s not a passion project for them, rather a task for a paycheck
And you got all that out of them debating whether to use walls or energy shields? I think you’re way overreacting.
I would think the decision making process, even when making slight alterations, would be amazingly difficult. they have to simultaneously try to stay true to the soul of a game, while still having to advance the narrative as to not simply end up with a repackage of the previous game.