I've read several articles based on all your points, because let's face it they're all a pain. But what I got out of most of them was this: Orbit acts as a stand by screen allowing guardians to choose destinations (servers) to load into, so every guardian on stand by isn't taking up a slot. Cut scenes are also looked at as hidden loading screens. Since everything in this game is server based, and requires the sending and receiving of data, as opposed to disc loading of the past (skippable cutscenes) the cut scenes are used to load whatever comes next. Whether it be post-mission summary, etc. I see on and off that in game chat is in the works, but nothing confirmed as of yet. Mostly because bungie wanted to force players to meet people while playing, and add them as friends, yada yada. But in game chat would be very useful, especially when trying to find a group to raid with, or a fire team to do the weekly nightfall strikes. Just my two cents. Plenty of inforation out there if you look for it. Hope this was helpful.