I'm really not liking the direction 343 is taking the franchise and the retcon. Regardless if he's really dead or not. I'm worried that they are slowly weaving out Master Chief and most of the "Halo" we know and loved with something of their own creation (naturally). They've already done so with Prometheans as the main enemy in 4 and magically giving Chief and all Spartans very different looking armor although he's been in Cryo-sleep (although made canon as to how still doesn't change that it's a rather big change that could've been written in as gradual). They seem to also try "too hard" to make the Spartans and Chief look more 'ultra futuristic' over just futuristic and diminish the very artistic reason their called "Spartans". Their armors have now lost that old awesome individual custom detailed appeal that was made in Reach. Suddenly introducing countless new Spartans will only degrade the status and Wow factor of them. Whatever happened to "Spartans never die?", clearly that won't be retained in the 343 Halo since it's not something they adapted or created nor will it hold as much merit with all these constant new Spartans. Quantity > Quality now eh'. Most importantly, I'm genuinely worried that Spartan Locke will become the new Master Chief and the franchise will lose it's old style and appeal and be replaced with high explosions, over the top choreography, and Call of Duty syndrome which is clearly shown in the opening cinematic already. Sincerely, a very passionate Halo fan since the beginning. I miss your Halo's, Bungie. It won't be the same. :(