Callum over at Pixelated Gamer has written an article that really speaks to me (as I wrote something similar back in December). Xbox Live Party Chat is really killing the social aspect that was brought about by random people playing. It is terrible that Microsoft has not issued a patch of some form to at the very least, make party chat inactive during ranked games (private games should be allowed).

Rooms are now unusually quiet; games seem dead, there’s no atmosphere of a social environment and there’s no more friendly banter between teams. Sure the party chat is useful during game nights when a group of you are playing each other, especially in Left 4 Dead when breaks are few and far between, but if possible I think the best way forward is to use the game room chat. Not only is it probably more stable (the last 2 or 3 gamer nights I have attended keeping everyone in the party was a problem) but also you have the opportunity to welcome more people into your gaming community.

PacoDG via pixelatedgamer.com »