Kyle, the initial part of your response was focused around facts and provided a different perspective in the Halo Waypoint Milestone problem… Yes, even through your generalized speculation the mere fact of the matter is that 343i has a problem that they do not have a fix for at this point in time. (which you did a pretty good job theorizing as to why the problem exists but offered no evidence to disprove that the problem exists; which I want to know if, how, and when it will be fixed) Although I appreciate your speculation, no offense, but I’d prefer an official response from 343i staff on this one bud.
As for the Halo 2 PC achievements, I’ve heard the arguments from naysayers (such as yourself), for many years; dating back to the release of Halo 2 PC. So let’s just sort a couple things out -
#1. You said it wouldn’t be fair to include them because the servers are going down in a couple months… The game has been out since 2007 so if the true halo completionist has neglected to complete this task, I say he or she has no perfect record to speak of… Also when Halo 2 went offline from Xbox live, years later fans were later rewarded with a special emblem in Halo Reach. (No one could get this emblem unless they had played Halo 2 in years past). The Halo franchise has given out many, “one day only” or “for a limited time only” rewards throughout the years; case in point: the blue flame helmet rewarded to Halo Reach players that got online for the very last Bungie Day, the year that 343i was handed the ropes to the Halo IP rights. The avatar hoodie for Halo Reach beta testers, another vintage item that has a much greater value to halo completionists because nobody can attain it any longer. If you want a more recent example, last month 343i gave out the Commando Helmet to gamers who were online and completed a game on 343i Day. A month before that gamers were rewarded with the Guilty Spark emblem for completing a match. So even though the clock’s ticking down, I say if you haven’t gotten these achievements for Halo 2 PC then you’d better hurry up and get them if anyone’s concerned with a true perfect record. Halo Waypoint is supposed to be the center for all things Halo- not just certain games that the bulk of the fan base cares more about.
#2. To answer your question about five years ago- well true halo completionists, such as myself and many of my friends, went out and bought halo 2 PC because the original halo 2 had no achievements. So in order to “complete” Halo 2, a true completionist would need to purchase Halo 2 PC on yes, omg, another platform!! And then actually complete the game like every other iteration in the halo franchise. Even the first halo has achievements via the anniversary edition but Halo 2 remains the only installment in the franchise with none because Halo 2 PC is not recognized… Hell Kyle, you should give it a whirl sometime - it’s truly rewarding and challenging to boot up Halo 2 PC (but make sure you purchase a gaming pad) and have at it - you might enjoy yourself.
#3. What’s that you say?? “Oh it’s not FAIR. Nobody should have to purchase the same game twice across multiple platforms to get the achievements,” HA!! Take a look at Spartan Assault!!! Completionists have to buy the exact same little arcade game FOUR times across four separate platforms in order to get the achievements on their Halo Milestone Career. The game was even initially marketed that way on the bulletin, “point whores can even purchase the game on both Windows 8 and Windows 8 PC to get all the achievements” I’m not complaining about that feat, I did it and it was satisfying knowing few completionists can trek down the same path. But the fact that 343i openly markets purchasing this same game multiple times across separate platforms completely negates the point you were trying to make about not having to buy halo 2 PC when players already had halo 2 for Xbox.
#4 So after a brief history lesson lets remember the poor reception that Halo 2 PC received back in 2007. That was the true reason that Halo 2 PC was kicked to the curb, considering the fact that it’s sales were really bad. Also just like XB1 today, Halo 2 PC achievements required a little extra work and effort to integrate into the career which wasn’t happening. The fact that Halo waypoint didn’t track these achievements originally correlates these issues not the fan base speculation that we’re Monday-morning quarterbacking at this point. The fact is the Halo franchise is a cash-cow; wherever money can be made that’s where effort is applied by the developers.