XFire - Gaming Simplified

[Rosaru]

Welcome to XFire!
Xfire (pronounced "X-fire") is a freeware instant messaging service targeted at gamers, that also serves as a game server browser and has various other features. It is currently available for Microsoft Windows.

XFire is both an online community and a Powerful tool that simplifies gaming while empowering you to share your experiences.

XFire features many forms of gaming experiences made to satisfy nearly everyone who possesses it.

Game detection

Xfire features the ability to detect the video game a particular contact is running. By analyzing running processes, Xfire can detect active games and send that information to Xfire clients with the current player as a friend. For many games, it can also detect which server people are playing on, the level which is running and ping times. Some games may be joined instantly. Xfire logs what games users are playing, how many hours they have played them, and saves other information (such as scores) from game servers. This information can be converted into a PNG image by the server via PHP for every user to use as a signature.

Instant messages

Xfire also includes the support for sending and receiving instant messages from inside a game in fullscreen mode, eliminating the need to minimize the game window. Users can also send in-game messages to other players without joining the game. Users are also able to see what games their friends are playing.

Voice chat

With version 1.43, released August 2005, Xfire, Inc. added a beta voice chat feature using Voice over IP technology, similar to, among others, TeamSpeak, Ventrilo, GameStreet Talk, etc.

Screenshots and videos

Xfire has the ability to take screenshots in game and save them to a specified folder, though this only works with Xfire In-Game-supported games, unlike Fraps. A user can take as many in-game screen shots as they want. Once the user exits their game, Xfire will load all of their screenshots in a window, where the user can then select all of the screen shots that they want to upload to their Xfire profile page. Users can also give each screenshot a caption. However, there are some games that are not compatible with Xfire In-Game.

Clan and guild system

In version 1.63, Xfire released a beta clan system. This allowed users to create clans or guilds on the Xfire website and invite members (recruits can also ask to join). Many other features were also associated with this such as setting up ranks, favorite games and the number of hours everyone has been playing. With version 1.85, the Clans & Guilds system was officially released.

Live Video (Broadcasting)

Xfire added a video streaming feature in version 1.97. This feature is still in the Alpha phase, and a broadcast must be viewed using a web browser plugin, unfortunately only supporting Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox at the present time. It lets anyone watch a live feed of a user's screen while they are playing a game. When a user begins a stream, it opens up a chatroom which anyone who is watching your live feed can join.

In-Game Web Browsing

In-game internet browsing capabilities were added to Xfire in version 1.103.(Not recommended for people with ADD or people who naturally have a slow computer when playing games).

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As of version 1.84, released on November 19, 2007, Xfire provided feature support for over 1000 games of many different genres, which include games such as Counter-Strike: Source, Starcraft, Flyff, and World of Warcraft.

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Third-party modifications

There are many third party modifications for Xfire's client and services, including skins, infoview templates, plugins, and protocol implementations. Some of these may or may not violate Xfire's Terms of Service, according to paragraph 6[11].

Skins and Infoviews

Skins can be used to provide a new look to the Xfire Client and chat windows, and Infoview skins can be used to provide extra functionality in the infoview pane. Skins are created through XML and image files, and Infoviews are created using HTML, Javascript, and images.

Gun's Ammo Crate

A site designed to let you find an Xfire skin for your favourite game, brand, or even for a clan. You can also find infoview skins and tutorials on how to make your own skin.

Xfire plugins

Xfire Plus

A compilation of extension programs and files that allow you to enhance your Xfire client.

Programs such as the Music plugin allow you to display the music you are currently playing, whereas the Xfire Web Messenger allows you to chat with your Xfire friends anywhere in the world, from any Java supporting operating system.

Xfire Music Plugin

A public domain standalone plugin for Windows Media Player on 32-bit operating systems that sets the user's status to a customizable string based on the media they are currently playing. The source is provided with the plugin and wi-fi.

Multi-protocol messenger plugins

The following plugins allow users to chat on Xfire with other instant messaging clients.

Gfire
A Pidgin plugin which lets users chat and see what games their friends are playing. It is the first Xfire client for Linux.

Miranda IM plugin
Chat with people on XFire, game detection and much more.

Trillian Plugin
Allows users to chat and see the status of their friends; also detects games when the user runs them.

Xblaze
An open source plugin for Adium that allows communication over the Xfire protocol. It is the first Xfire client for Mac OS X However, as of Nov.25/08 Xfire will not work on any mac due to a new Xfire update.

PlayXpert
Built by former Xfire users, includes support for chatting over the Xfire protocol, among many other features; also includes game detection.

Registration and Installation

In order to obtain XFire Gaming Chat, you must have the following:
System Requirements

* PC with a Pentium Processor running Windows 2000, XP, or Vista
* 10 MB available hard drive space
* Desktop resolution of 800 x 600 at 256 colors

Additional Requirements for Xfire In-Game:

* DirectX 9.0c or higher
* Video Driver that supports DirectX 9.0c

Join now at Xfire - Gaming Simplified

Start Chatting in 3 Easy Steps!
1. Download the XFire Setup Program! - Use this link if you are lazy and don't wish to go through XFire.com!
2. Install and Join XFire! - Once downloading is complete, double-click the Xfire installer icon and follow the instructions to finish installation and create a free Xfire account.
3. Connect with Friends! -
* Add Xfire users to your friends list
* Invite friends to join Xfire
* View your auto-generated gamer profile

Once that is done, you are set, and are free to enjoy yourself! Thanks for reading! ;D

~Ben


NOTE: You may use this thread for posting questions, comments, your XFire Username, and such. Thanks for reading!

XFire Username Masterlist (Hope you don't mind me hijacking the thread)

NP Name XFire Name
Rosaru = Rosaru
Mike = Ruone
Kyon = Takato01
LiquidSnake = SuperZombieMonkey
Smart = Smartanswer
Abex97 = Abex97
Fame = p0lar57

[Ruone Delacroix]

The only thing that XFire is remotely good for is logging game hours and maybe screenshots. Recording videos suck so much because it takes up a lot of unecessary sapce on your computer. For a 5 minute video, you're taking literally gigs out of your computer's hard drive.

[Rosaru]

._.

I was hoping the first comment would be a good one...;_;

Bah. Still, always good for multi-purpose gamers :|

[Kyon]

Yeah making videos on XFire is really bad. I should know since doing it almost took up most of my harddrive on my old computer. I do think it's pretty useful to keep track of gaming hours and they update every few days. My XFire name is "Takako01"

[Falcon0408]

Videos recorded on Xfire are as large as videos recorded using any program. Best way to make videos is to use the in-game demo function (most games have it nowadays) then replay the demos and record the bits you want later.

[LiquidSnake]

Looking at this thread, I can't believe no one has made it yet!

My username is superzombiemonkey, I should come up as Monkey Man as my display name.

EDIT: Or rather, here I am.

[Smart]

I might download it later. I'm too lazy right now. :P

[Richard21]

Xfire is nice, but when no one else uses it, it sucks.

I wish it worked with the Wii

[Blitz]

I have XFire and I used to get on it pretty often, but now, I don't get on it as often as I used to.

[Asian_Mario]

But I still get the title of Founder of the NW Xfire group right.

[Smart]

Okay I downloaded it, my username is smartanswer. :P

[Nago]

Originally Posted by Ruone Delacroix The only thing that XFire is remotely good for is logging game hours and maybe screenshots. Recording videos suck so much because it takes up a lot of unecessary sapce on your computer. For a 5 minute video, you're taking literally gigs out of your computer's hard drive.

True dat. I like it though either way. Btw, is this supposed to be some kind of a commercial thread? x)