Finding something is often the easiest part. Doing something with what you've found is the true beauty.
In the case of the Halo: Reach data pads (whose locations were leaked before we even had the opportunity to play the game) all is not lost. We can expect countless YouTube videos showing us where to go to get each of the 19 data pads, scored hastily with stolen pop songs that have absolutely zero relevance to the game. But who is going to explain what they mean?
Putting the Halo story pieces together is a much more difficult task. Reporting where the content is located versus interpreting what the content means is the difference between buying a cheap electonic keyboard and being able to play the piano.
So how is the SGP affected? We're still left with a significant challenge even if the "thrill of the hunt" is no longer there. Just as Apollo and company are trying to interpret Halsey's Journal, we also need to interpret the data pads.
Personally, I don't feel that I should allow myself to be denied the thrill of the hunt just because some loser wanted to make money from an unfortunate game leak.
So to that end, I'm refraining from reading any of the leaked info and I'm not going on data pad searches with anyone who has. At least for a little while. It sounds bratty and childish, but I paid good money for my game and I want to enjoy it. Waaah! I want the satisfaction of finding a few of these things with my own effort. I want the thrill of the hunt was well as the thrill of the catch.
So who's with me? Looks like Imppa? Apollo? Pulse? Ark? Do we all "take an oath" not to look at the data pad spoilers?
