Since I play the game alone side chat has helped me make a few temporary friends which has helped me enjoy the game alot. I can understand why people who play the game with friends and usually are communicating with each other by some other means don't like it, but for the solo player it improves the game a lot. Also reading someone who's died to a bandit rage on side chat can be hilarious, the only downside for me with side chat is the whole "is anyone in cherno" crap you inevitably get.