I saw an interview a LONG time ago in which 343 stated that the original writor or director or someone of great importance to the story as it was being developed left 343 before the writing was completely finished due to a death of either their wife or they came down with some kind of terminal illness, I can’t remember. The interview was brief and I only remember small bits from it, so I’m looking for info on it.
Some of the things mentioned were this person’s original plans for Halo 4-
-It was supposed to be canon that the ODST’s were phased out for Spartan IVs.
-apparently there was a different buildup meant for the prometheans and the story had more in store for them.
Thr most important detail from this interview was that according to 343, when this guy left the story was half written or something to that effect and a lot of the story was changed by the person who Replaced him, only because he didn’t leave any real noted on how to continue his story. They go on to say something like “this is why the Didact gets discovered” the details get murky from that point but those two points above are the ones I remember clearly.
ill take any more info I can get!