Xfire

Infobox_Software
name = Xfire
logo=


caption = Main server list window on version 1.90 with the new default skin
developer = Xfire, Inc.
latest_release_version = 1.98
latest_release_date = September 22 2008
operating_system = Windows 2000, XP, Vista
genre = Instant messaging service
license = Freeware
website = [http://www.xfire.com/ www.xfire.com] Xfire (pronounced X fire [ [http://www.xfire.com/faq/#159 Xfire FAQ] ] ) 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" was originally developed by "Ultimate Arena" based in Menlo Park, California, United States.

History

"Xfire" was originally developed by Garrett Blythe and Chris Kirmse in 2003 at a company formerly called "Ultimate Arena". Many employees have contributed to its development since then, including the former CEO Mike Cassidy [ [http://www.michaelcassidy.com/ Mike Cassidy ] ] (former CEO of Direct Hit), COO David Lawee and Dennis "Thresh" Fong (former U.S. Champion of "Quake"). On April 25 2006, "Xfire" was acquired by Viacom in a $102-million deal. [ [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=16332 Xfire joins MTV Networks in $102 million cash deal // GamesIndustry.biz ] ]

On May 7 2007, "Xfire" announced they have over 7 million registered users.cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=24785|work=GamesIndustry.biz|title=XFIRE ONLINE GAME COMMUNITY CONTINUES RAPID GROWTH SURPASSING SEVEN MILLION REGISTERED USER MARK|date=May 7, 2007|accessdate=May 7|accessyear=2007]

In September 2006, Sony was misinterpreted to have announced that Xfire would be used for the PlayStation 3. [ [http://www.gamespot.com/news/6157494.html Viacom says Xfire is PS3-bound - PlayStation 3 News at GameSpot ] ] Instead, what they actually meant was that only one PS3 game, "" was to use some of the features, with more game support planned for the future. [ [http://www.gamespot.com/news/6159631.html Untold Legends gets Xfired - PlayStation 3 News at GameSpot ] ]

On June 13 2007, Mike Cassidy, CEO and co-founder, departed the company to work for venture capital firm, Benchmark Capital.cite web|url=http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=16488|work=GameDaily BIZ|title=Interview: Mike Cassidy on Leaving Xfire, Joining Benchmark Capital|date=June 13, 2007|accessdate=June 13|accessyear=2007] Adam Boyden, VP Business Development & Marketing was assigned to take his place and manage the company for a temporary period.

Features

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.

creenshots

Xfire has the ability to take screen shots in game and save them to a specified folder. You can take as many screen shots in game as you like. Once you exit your game Xfire will load all your screen shots in a box on your screen. You can then select all the screen shots that you want to upload to your Xfire profile. You can also give each screen shot a caption. How ever, there are some games that is not compatible with the Xfire Screenshot feature.

Video

Xfire has the ability to record video in game. It will also show your frame rate. By default if you press Scroll Lock + V Xfire will start to record in game. In the options menu to can choose to record 25, 30, 60, or 100 frames per second. You can also choose to keep the video at full screen or half screen.

DK

The Xfire Game SDK was released with version 1.56 (May 2006). It offers game developers an interface to expose some of the game data to the Xfire application. This is not compatible with some games, just like the Screenshot feature.

Clan & 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.

upport

As of version 1.84, released on November 19 2007, Xfire provided feature support for over 1000 gamescite web|url=http://www.xfire.com/supported_games/|work=Xfire|title=Xfire - Supported Games|date=November 19, 2007|accessdate=November 19|accessyear=2007] of many different genres, which include games such as "", "Starcraft", and "World of Warcraft".

Support for Windows 98 and Windows Me was discontinued as of January 2007. [ [http://www.xfire.com/download/ Xfire - Download Xfire ] ]

Yahoo! lawsuit

Yahoo! filed a lawsuit against Xfire, Inc. on January 28 2005, claiming Xfire has infringed Yahoo!'s U.S. Patent No. 6,699,125, for a "Game server for use in connection with a messenger server". Xfire, Inc. filed a countersuit against Yahoo! on March 10 2005. The countersuit was eventually disqualified by the judge. There has been a settlement between the companies as of January 31 2006. More details were posted to Xfire's forums, though terms were not disclosed. [http://www.xfire.com/xf/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=50646]

Xfire Events

Xfire hosts events every month ranging from chat sessions with the program's developers or game developers, debates, game tournaments and machinima contests.

3rd 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 [ [http://xfire.com/terms_and_conditions/ Xfire - Terms and Conditions ] ] .

kins 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 ( [http://www.gunsammocrate.com/ home page] ) : 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's lack of an API or SDK for developing 3rd party plugins makes the availability and development of plugins difficult.

; Xfire Plus ( [http://xfireplus.com/ home page] ) : A compilation of extension programs and files that allow you to enhance your Xfire client.Programs such as the [http://xfireplus.com/page.php?1 Music plugin] allow you to display the music you are currently playing, whereas the [http://xfireplus.com/page.php?35 Xfire Web Messenger] allows you to chat with your Xfire friends anywhere in the world, from any Java supporting operating system.; Xfire Music Plugin ( [http://blackbox-creations.com/xfmp/ plugin page] ) : A public domain standalone plugin for Windows Media Player 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.

Multi-protocol messenger plugins

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

; Gfire ( [http://gfire.sf.net/ home page] ) : 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 ( [http://addons.miranda-im.org/details.php?action=viewfile&id=3701 plugin page] ) : Chat with people on XFire, game detection and much more.; Trillian Plugin ( [http://www.trillian-messenger.net/en/plugin/xfire plugin page] ) : Allows users to chat and see the status of their friends; also detects games when the user runs them.; Xblaze ( [http://xblaze.co.uk/ home page] ): An open source plugin for Adium that allows communication over the Xfire protocol. It is the first Xfire client for Mac OS X.

Open source protocol libraries

These libraries offer developers a way to write software to access the Xfire network, without having to write supporting code to handle the protocol, from scratch.

;OpenFire: An open source (LGPL licensed) Java API and suite of tools for accessing the XFire instant messaging network.;xfirelib: An open source library written in C++ which implements the Xfire Protocol. Based upon it is a Jabber gateway to Xfire ( [http://xfirelib.sphene.net/wiki/show/XFireGateway XFireGateway] ) which also implements GOIM extensions to the Jabber protocol.

References

External links

* [http://www.xfire.com/ Xfire] Official Site
* [http://wiki.xfire.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page Xfire wiki] Official Wiki