I don't think losing hostile/strange dialogue necessarily ruined communication. when we were in isolation for covid? Everyone made gardening parties, traded items, set up elaborate games, helped indentify Redd's art offerings, etc. I even had some of my IRL social groups set up meets inside the game so we could still hangout together and share our designs when we couldn't be together in person. People may be drifting away from NH now, but for a long time, it was a really important way for people to socialise and form a community.