Is it really sexist to think she did get fired? I mean in a world where CEOs get millions when they get fired is it hard to think a company would let a still probably talented and good employee save face? Bonnie Ross will no doubt continue to work in the industry. It did'nt work with 343, but why would hopefully and adult organization and an adult burn a bridge when their is really no reason to?
Yet someone did need to get fired. Halo is a mess right now and it needs someone to course correct. But I'm not calling her leadership a failure and if I was it would'nt be because she's a woman. We've seen male leadership shit the bed all the fucking time in games. The thing is I don't think she shit the bed. Game development is fucking hard and ever changing. Here's the problem with Halo:
It has forced itself into a corner. Either change or appeal to old the fanbase. It is having problems growing. At the end of the day Halo's core fanbase are older who or either increasingly wanting more from the story or multiplayer fps fans who want Halo 2. That's really it, since CoD4 Halo 2 has trailed behind other series in modern trends. Every time they try to implement things it's done poorly. Progression, unlocks, battle pass, and probably soon. Every time they try to implement things like ads or skills there is much talk among the community if this is what people actually want. That Halo's core sandbox is'nt meant for progression. Because of that and probably being stuck on the xbox for awhile, it hasn't grown since the 360. While CoD, Fortnite, and so on have taken over.
And 343 knows this. Infinity's pr was almost built around the idea of them finally getting it, that they were going to make something that harkin back to those Halo 2 days. And the multiplayer kind of did and the Fornite like free release was a great idea.
But the problem was content.
Lack of content also maybe applies to the sp. Great bones of a game, but the missions, the level, the story, ect. It all felt so bare. Compiled with encounters and mission design, you almost feel bad because of how the game fails the amazing feeling gunplay. Infinite for sure yes the best feeling gameplay of 343 Halo.
It can't even do the gaas model well with so many delays. Delays that hurt a brand that already seems weak at the moment.
But every company has had problems navigating series through difficult times.
