I've used the chat rooms a few times, but the only time anyone else had actually been there was for a staff meeting. I like Cheeba's propositions though.
Another good thing that might come from chat rooms is having a more real-time system than BBS to rendevous with people online. Well, I guess you could use AIM for that too... but it could be a more effective way for MG members to meet others playing games online. I think the chat rooms just need to be promoted more, if we want people to use them. Chat is an option people forget about a lot if its not advertised (at least from what I've seen around other sites in the past).