About [b]2[/b], it's important to use a mic, yeah, but not everyone has the ability to speak. I personally know (at least [i]knew[/i], since it's been a few years since we've hung out) a mute person who frequently played shooters. You quickly find ways to communicate without talking.. Which is partially where [b]7[/b] comes it. And about [b]3[/b],I'm not sure how good PlayStation Party Chat is, but for Xbox Live, it sounds like the opposite. If everyone is in Game Chat, the voice sounds like it's a million miles away, but in Party Chat, it sounds like the person is speaking right next to you.