No offline mode for Spartan Ops is a HUGE disappointment.
I am not too cheap to buy Xbox live, but I live in a rural area with only satellite access available. Xbox live is wasted on me.
I have 3 Xboxes and I bought 3 copies of Halo 4, just like I had with Halo 3, ODST and Reach because I expected to play with my brothers over system link. I would pay for DLC Spartan Ops missions. But instead, 343i has made it impossible for loyal customers in my situation to enjoy this part of the game. I guess they don't want my money...
We are loading up Reach now, because we miss Firefight.