I’ve been mostly an apologist for 343i. I still admit their shortcoming and error. But in the end, I think they get flak too much.
That’s my stance. I’ve been tired of bashing at this point. Many people say that MS should just replace 343i.
Besides “ship is already sail” argument, is there any argument for 343i?
This is a serious question, not trolling.
In this community there is a lot more negativity as opposed to positivity. I cant really say outside of Waypoint as I dont really follow companies in the gaming community.
Everyone loves a comeback story, and a lot of people want to love 343. However, they simply are not able to match the magic created with the original Halo titles. Whether it’s the inability or just stubborn pride, 343 has created glitchy, mediocre Halo titles and refuse to do a full return to the Halo gameplay, storytelling, and more that made the original titles great.
I think in a fair bit of ways, 343 does get a lot of flak, arguably more than deserved, for their actions. Some people who have negative opinions of 343 sometimes really take it farther than it needs to be, and that said is a sort of negativity shouldn’t be praised. That kind of negativity is just toxic and unconstructive, and as much as it could just be a vent, this place isn’t meant for that stuff. That said, the negative opinions that are here that are constructive have valid points against 343 and their actions with Halo since Halo 4. I think it goes without saying that 343 made a dividing introduction to leading Halo when they overhauled the art style in Halo 4 and made some rather unwelcome changes(and in a few cases, went along with other changes that Bungie originally made and evolved them) that have since been a problem for fans for a while now. Come in Halo 5 and that negativity kinda bursted after the game was said and done: Microtransactions, “plastic armor”, enhanced mobility and other things fans at the time despised definitely have their valid unfavorable views to them, and have since haven’t been assured as problems that won’t come later down the line.
Point is, 343 gets a fair bit of flak, and most of it comes with good reason. Changes 343 made and their approach to communicating these changes hasn’t helped their case, and with a lot of that distaste towards the company building up for a good several years. I’m not super shocked that we get a lot of negativity. At least, here on Waypoint. Again not all of it is deserved, but most of it has a fair criticism of 343’s choices over the years.
Is there a case for 343? I mean, modern Halo has its fans. I’m particularly kind of fond of enhanced mobility. They’re apart of the community nonetheless, and 343 being able to make a game like that can show that they are in some ways an intelligent company that puts thought into most of their choices. But at least in recent times, they haven’t exactly shown us that they can really pull a new FPS Halo without it having some sort of major drawback the fans hated, let alone spinoffs. Halo 4’s art style changes came out as unnecessary and so sudden that they would forever sit awkwardly in people’s hearts, which could’ve been avoided if they only provided a worthier reason than they did. Halo 5 had the microtransaction system, which I’m pretty sure is universally and if not massively despised by the fanbase, and you already know 343 isn’t gonna let go of those with Infinite’s multiplayer being F2P. Not to mention the rather “fine” story the game came with. Spartan Assault and Strike…yeah. I’m sure they have their audience but aren’t really as notable for some good reason. HW2 had the same problem of Halo 5 with its micros and Blitz mode.
343 has, however, shown that they can make a solid narrative, good multiplayer, and a fantastic forging system. Halo 4, despite its flaws, has a narrative a fair bit of the fanbase agrees was good, and Halo 5 had a rather fantastic multiplayer despite the REQ system. They can make a good modern Halo, but they’ve yet to actually build it and come out screaming that they’re confident they have. They’ve made the pieces, but still need to make the full thing.
343 has also done a fairly good job retouching the older games when it comes to MCC and adding quality of life improvements like the Custom Games Browser, and are well at work to make other improvements. They, at least, communicate and listen to our feedback on MCC.
I’m just hoping that Infinite is that full thing. But I have my concerns.
P.S. im not exactly sure a thread like this is gonna stay unlocked. not sure if this kind of threat actually counts underneath being insulting/berating or unconstructive of 343. but eh, see what happens
Really there is no reason to have a discussion like this on the forums. It’s just bait.