Halo goes further than a multiplayer experience. Halo is a multimedia franchise. To say that some one is not a fan because they are okay with sprint in multiplayer is so frustrating and ignorant. Halo has a deep and rich universe like Star Wars does. There is campaign in-game. There are comic books and graphic novels. There are novels that expand on the fiction of characters and the history of this world. There is fan made machinima. Collectibles. There are so many ways to experience Halo besides multiplayer! So saying you are a true fan because you love Halo 2 and 3 multiplayer the best since it’s “so balanced, has such great ranking systems, moves slow like a turtle, never had issues in matchmaking, and was made by Bungie kiss me on the lips!” is completely ridiculous.
Fandom is being passionate about something. Something that personally brings you enjoyment so you find other ways to enjoy it and share it with others. So you “purists” can boycott and quit because you don’t like sprint or some other argument. Fans will still be there though. Fans will find ways to enjoy the game, and the universe. Regardless of online multiplayer population size. Or rank. Or the limit to walking. Or no “ADS”, or TTK, and so on.
Anyone can be a fan of Halo because it’s more than just a game. It’s visual novels and science fiction. It can be cosplay and it can be something more than just a community. It can be family.
A Halo fan can, however, dislike any particular Halo game and still be a Halo fan. See, the thing is you don’t get to say whether someone is a Halo fan or not. If they say they’re a fan, and they like Halo, they’re a Halo fan - regardless of your narrow minded and dogmatic views and your vague definitions on what a fan “is”.
Also, protip: “purist” is a buzzword. Have fun barking up the wrong tree!
It is currently. I’m sick of hoping on the forums every day and reading players say that I’m not a fan for being okay with multiplayer in Halo 5 or having found ways to enjoy Halo 4. I love Halo and have my complaints about it.
Doesn’t mean I can’t find ways to still have fun!
I also hate being told I’m a fan boy for “eating up 343i’s crappy game design”. I enjoy their art, I enjoy their interesting ideas. It keeps Halo fresh. After playing through MCC, if Halo didn’t change and evolve, id be bored and quit playing. I love Halo CE, 2, and 3, but man if that was coming out as the new installment this year, I would be so bored! I can go back and play them and enjoy them because of nostalgia, but games have advanced!
Anyone who thinks they’re a fan is a fan. Anyone who says “you’re not a true fan because X” is just being an elitist jerk. That’s all there is to it. There is nothing more to discuss here.