Like anything its boils down to money. Bungie got tired of being outsold by COD games. COD appeals to more people becuse its a casual game. You dont have to be good to max out your prestige either (which is a joke). In essence, they sold out for the people who sucked at previous halo games. I was one of them. The highest skill I achieved in H2 was a 40. And a 45 in Halo 3. I knew I wasnt very good. But I am SUPER competitive and always played because I wanted to win.
I am far older than most of the kids on this board so I can say this. My generation, guys like Walshy and T2 we are competitive. There was no priize for just playing. The prize was winning. But the new generation is too ADD to stick with a game they are not really good at and practice. They are an entitled bunch that want instant gratification.
Halo used to be about skill. Everyone started with the same weapons, there were power weapons on the map which required skill and MAP CONTROL to obtain. That is all gone now. Halo 3 started it with the power drain and crap like that. Its gotten way out of hand.
Skill is no longer the biggest factor in winning the game. Its a game for the masses, not the competitive skilled players that used to love this game. 343 has failed thus far with this game. Or at least add a playlist that gets rid of all the crap. The new graphics are cool, but thats really all i bought it for. I still want the old competitive game play. And for crying out loud, make some decent maps...everything is too big. Its a freaking camp fest so far.
end/rant