Screenshots have surfaced that hint that the soon to be released Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will not allow players to participate in party chat while in a multiplayer game.  This has drawn the ire of some fans, and the praise of others.  While some fans feel that party chat helps shield them from the unwashed masses, allowing them to enjoy casual game time with their buddies, others recognize that party chat, much like video’s doomed relationship with radio stars, killed the social side of XBL. 

Gone are the days of entering a room full of mature, knowledgeable adults sharing some Halo time between sips of tea and intelligent debates of the socio-political climate in Central Africa and the UN’s indifference to the mass genocides occurring there.  Logging on now, gamers are greeted with complete silence.  If you do happen to find a room with other stragglers, it will become apparent rather quickly why the other players have nobody to party chat with.  Also, you will come to know the sheer joy of getting your ass handed to you and your ‘lone wolf’ buddies by a group of people on party chat who play together all the time and lack the integrity to not call out your positions from the 3rd party cam after they have died.

SPECULATION and SPOILERS BELOW!!!

Infinity Ward has gone the extra mile to immerse the players in the war experience.  Included in this game are EMP grenades, which will disable the enemies communication.  This would not be possible if users were in party chat and would effectively render them useless.  Also, Call of Duty does things like being able to hear enemy chatter from distances, and other things that party chat would disable.

So gripe all you want fellow gamers, but I am completely in favor of this move by Infinity Ward.