Xfire is a freeware instant messaging service for gamers.
It has many other features such as server browsers, stat tracking, screenshot & video recording and more. It is currently only available on Windows.
Xfire currently has over 18.1 million registered users and 200,000 average concurrent users.
Xfire, Inc. was founded in 2002 by Dennis "Thresh" Fong (former Chief Gaming Officer; former U.S. Champion of Quake), Mike Cassidy (serial entrepreneur) (former CEO), Max Woon (former CTO) and David Lawee (former COO).
The company was formerly known as Ultimate Arena but changed its name to Xfire when its desktop client Xfire became more popular and successful than its gaming website.
Features
Instant messaging
Xfire features an instant messenger which can be used to send both text and audio messages to other Xfire users. This can be accessed both outside of games, using the client, or in games, using an in-game display, eliminating the need to minimize the window to receive messages. Also recently implemented is a version compatible with AOL Instant Messenger (AIM).
Stat Tracking
Xfire uses Windows processes to detect when a player is playing any game supported by Xfire, and will record playing time. Certain other games feature more advanced stat tracking, which can be anything from servers the player is on, to kill counts and other gameplay stats.
Screenshots & Video
Many games have the ability for screenshots to be taken in-game. The user can assign a key (or combination of keys) to use to take a screenshot from within the game. After the game the player can choose to upload any of these screenshots to thier Xfire profile. The same can be done for recording video, much like the program Fraps. Another video feature (although still in Alpha) is the ability to do a live stream of the game you're playing, which other Xfire users can watch from the Xfire website.
Clans
Xfire also features a clan system, in which users can create clans for use on the Xfire service. The leaders can assign ranks to members, and keep track of how much their members are playing the games, as well have clan-only subforums.
Web Browser
Xfire includes a web browser that can be launched from within a number of supported games. The browser window will open if the user presses a certain key combination, clicks a link in an IM conversation, or uses the web search feature. The browser features tabbed browsing and Flash support, and can be kept open while the user continues to play the game.
Digital Download Service
Xfire has recently launched a Digital Download Store. The service offers both old and new games for download. The store claims that games can be downloaded any number of times. The online activation depends on game specific DRM. Xfire executives are hopeful that many Xfire users will appreciate the download service as all the other features Xfire has been known for.
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.
In-game Web browsing
In-game internet browsing capabilities were added to Xfire in version 1.103. Its homepage is set as a statistics page of the game being played: Clans and Guilds based around the game, current users playing, peak position (when it was the most popular game on the Xfire board) etc.
To download Xfire, CLICK HERE
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