the game is still probably gonna sell like crazy regardless of not having masterchief

You can tell the difference between a silohuete of Master Chief and one of any other Spartan?

I think that it would take a real Halo nerd to to completely ignore the game because of the MC not being in it. I'm sure they exist but in what number, I have no idea. That being said, I think that he might make a cameo. I mean it's not Halo 4 right? So I wouldn't expect him to play a big role. Maybe they somehow show him escape the battle at the end or maybe you play as the Chief for the last level. I think that ODST will at least have some mention of him as well. I really don't care though as long as it's a good game, which I'm sure it will be. I don't think that too many Halo fans will care either so I don't think the sales will suffer.

I'm not saying necessarily that people would ignore it without Master Chief being in it. I just wonder whether the sales would be less to a degree without him.

Yeah look at Halo Wars sales with no Master Chief /sarcasm

I think the real "Halo Nerds" will buy it just to play the Reach story from the novels.  I could be wrong, though.

^
That's an even better point supporting the the idea that sales won't be negatively affected without the MC.

That was my point...  You said that only a real Halo Nerd would possibly skip the game due to MC being missing...  I think the real Halo Nerds will be the ones that scoop this up in droves.

All I can say is that I can't wait for halo to come out on the 720 assuming the 720 has Blu ray, and assuming master chief is on it, he will look a lot cooler with 1080p.

@ TheSteve

I understand what you were saying, I was pointing out that it's a good point. I should have worded my original post more accurately. Maybe spoiled little brat Halo fan is a better description. Like some whining little bitch not wanting the game because the MC was not in it. Like I said initially, I don't think him not being in the game would impact the sales in a negative way.