I think, the factor is quickly becoming, that the game isn't living up to the standards the builders had in mind. At first, Halo was a playability and fun factor study. Then, having had some success, it was about, figuring out "What made Halo ~ Halo", because the lack of success certain people felt in the game. The idea was to study and harvest the factors leading to success. So fans were involved. Thing is as Fans started to discuss what they liked, they started to recognize, what they didn't. And what could be. This lead to the division that ultimately ended the stigma Fans had. Because of 1 simple factor. Leadership, that secretly pulled strings, was missing, and divided, amongst the different groups for new direction. It was an intended lesson, and has been hard to recover from. The next phase is reunion of the entire gaming community. Bungie is working towards the goal. So is 343. Both play an integral part. [quote]Its the first impression of the game... how it makes its mark.[/quote] And I agree impression is important. I just think the mark made by something rooted in story, movement, interactive media, and discussion, is allot more than the first thoughts. TBH my first time playing CE went like this. I saw the level Keys (friends console) and thought "Amazing trees". I'd thought coolant leak was trees. First few minutes playing, and I HATED the game. But at the Friends insistence, and due to a desire to be accepted I learned to walk talk and act like a fan. Only a few, very few, Bungie employee know this before now. I admitted the truth one Christmas. They sent me a random Inv, with recon the reward for a jumping puzzle. I never completed, and had some of the best conversation. It was fun. And I still want to play a game I'd play with Marty.