Can I just say, "Fuck Trilogies"? I often wonder if these companies are aware of how trite a concept it is, but they use it anyway, because they think we're all idiots that buy into that nonsense.

Were Halo 1-3 really better off for being a "Trilogy"? If anything, I think Halo 2 and 3 weren't what they could have been because of too much narrative dead weight. Here's an idea: make a good game with a satisfying conclusion. Then make another. If all goes well with that and you're still on the right side of the diminishing returns curve, do another. Hey, whaddayaknow, you have a series of 3 satisfying games that dorks will dub a trilogy, and all you had to worry about was making good standalone experiences. Go figure.

Then make a 4th great standalone game, just to fuck with those assholes.

I just want Halo 4 to be standalone. Going in with the bullshit "Trilogy" mindset is a recipe for disappointment. Take a cue from the Uncharted guys. They just announced that they have no such trilogic designs on their franchise. They'll stop when they stop.