Hi, welcome to OC.
1.
out of thread lets townies talk to each other about information without it getting into mafia hands
townies that trust each other, for various reasons
an example is a group of cop-checked townies, as well as the cop themself. Of course, that inconveniently can no longer happen in this game.
To go further, it makes the game a lot about info management. People can choose who to talk with and what they tell them, potentially to see if/where the info spreads and what happens.
Misinformation is also therefore a thing.
2. It also gives players a place to say things they don't think have a place in the thread, undeveloped thoughts, etc. (And if
some players had used it to check in or say something about why they weren't posting, that would have been nice~)
3. For both the above reasons, it can be a better way to build trust and get reads on someone since they might talk more freely outside the public thread. Consider the difference between a
n intimate personal one-on-one chat and talking in a public gathering.
PS:
I was put in such a chat? This is why I have elected not to talk in the chat that I was put in.
I'd say that's a good way to make someone want to kill you. ^^ At least say you have nothing to talk about or don't want to, just ignoring the chat is irritating and looks off as hell, especially since you weren't posting (or even apparently checking) the game thread either. And I and likely others noticed that you were online before.