- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Your liberal application of of 'Shift' and 'Caps Lock' offends my senses, sir.
Nonetheless, I certainly wouldn't object to the inclusion of a map editor - indeed, I'd positively welcome it. Bungie already included options for creating custom game-styles in Halo 2, and machina such as The Codex and Red Vs. Blue enjoy considerable acclaim, so the inclusion of a full editor is merely an extension of this. Furthermore, the inclusion of modification tools of any kind are never detrimental; a highly-adaptable, and accessible program fortifies and strengthens a game's community by encouraging interaction beyond the game lobby, increases the game's appeal because even the most casual gamer can indulge in a little tinker when the fancy takes him, and through the generation of new content extends the game's lifespan far beyond whatever may be scored onto the disc. You only need to take a glance at the shining beacon of Starcraft, replete in both single-player custom campaigns and to realise the truth of this.
Of course, there'd be plenty of dross - but that's a given wherever you go, be it fanfictions or the quality of game reviews, and fan-created content isn't the only thing that can be awful in the wider world, to say the least. As such, it is unfair to criticise an editor program on the basis that people could possibly cobble together poor efforts, because equally you can have those who lovingly sculpt masterpieces worthy of Bungie themselves.
One valid criticism with a level editor is that filtering reams upon reams of machine code, complex assembly-programs and ripped-open PCs that are all found in developer's coding office through a clean, programming-virgin friendly, graphical interface would require immense effort that would be better invested in the actual game; but then, the trade-off in increased sales and user satisfaction (potentially translating into loyalty for future Bungie games) may be seen as worthwhile. Another admitted fault with a console-based editor would be that it's difficult to navigate hitboxes, menu-screens, trigger-script and the like with only a joypad... but then that might have the inadvertent benefit of dissuading some of the lacklustre contributions that people seem to fear.
Ultimately, a level editor isn't at all necessary - it's so much hot air unless there's an actual game to base it on! - but as an added bonus, it'd be manna from heaven.