- squirrel dude
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- Fabled Mythic Member
I think it's wrong to assume that a new member is someone who has just stumbled across the website and instantly joined the site. I think a significant number of members lurk on the website for a while, and then decide that they want to join the conversation, so they create an account.
That's the main benefit of an account, now that stat tracking for the most recent Halo games is gone: Being able to participate in the conversation. Having an account doesn't allow you to read the news or lurk on the forums anymore than not having an account does.
I understand the "read the rules" sentiment, but it's not like Bungie.net has any special rules that other websites don't. Don't spam, don't troll, don't flame. Those are all pretty much standard rules. The only thing special is "you have no rights, place nice." Whatever you think of that rule, it's so ingrained in the community lexicon at this point that a new member is going to pick it up quickly whether or not they read the rules as soon as they join.