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Xfire

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This article is about an instant messaging program. For the web service tool, see Codehaus XFire
Xfire
Developer(s)Xfire, Inc.
Stable release
Operating systemWindows 98/Me, 2000, XP, Vista
TypeInstant messaging service
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.xfire.com

Xfire is a freeware instant messaging service targeted toward gamers, that also serves as a game server browser. Its uniqueness lies in its ability to detect what video game a particular contact is running and allowing IMs to be sent and received from inside the game in question, eliminating the need to minimize the game window. It is currently available for Microsoft Windows only. The company is based in Menlo Park, California, United States. On April 25, 2006, Xfire was acquired by Viacom in a $102-million deal.[1] Xfire is considering discontinuing support of Windows 98 by the end of 2006.

History

Xfire was originally invented by Garrett Blythe and Chris Kirmse in 2003 at a company formerly called Ultimate Arena. A few dozen employees have contributed to its success since then, especially CEO Mike Cassidy [2] (former CEO of Direct Hit). Another notable founder of Ultimate Arena is Dennis "Thresh" Fong (former World Champion of Quake). Since its public release in 2004, it has attracted over 5 million users worldwide (as of September 2006). In 2006 Sony was misinterpreted to have announced that Xfire would be used for the PlayStation 3. [citation needed] Actually only one PS3 game, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, will use it, apparently in response to Xbox Live.[citation needed]

Technology

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 detect which server people are playing on, sometimes detailing which level is running, ping, and more. The program also supports instant joining for many games, which means the user can join their friend in the game in the same server with just one click. Xfire also allows users to send in-game messages to other players without joining the game, as it is an independent application.

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.

Xfire currently supports over 500 games, 200+ of which support the instant-joining feature. These supported games are of many different genres and include such highly popular games as Counter-Strike: Source, World of Warcraft, Guild Wars, Battlefield 2, Call of Duty 2, and Star Wars: Empire at War.

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. Recently, Xfire, Inc. has also added a feature that allows users to take screenshots inside the game and then upload them to their online profiles.

Released alongside version 1.56 (May 2006) was the Xfire Game SDK. It offers game developers a way to show off the data for their game in the Xfire interface.

With the growing number of Macintosh gamers, there is a growing need for an Xfire application compatible with Mac OS X. In February of 2006, a Mac developer group called Pinkslip began their attempt to make a Mac compatible Xfire client. Also, Xfire claims that after the Windows version is perfected, they will begin work on a Mac compatible client. Xblaze is a beta Xfire client for Mac. It is implemented as a plugin for the chat client Adium.

Xfire Clan System

In version 1.63, Xfire released a beta clan system. This allows users to create clans on the Xfire website and invite members. This service automatically adds everyone in the clan to the member's Xfire friends list.

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.

User extensions

Many Xfire users have increased the program's functionality through extensions, including the following:

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 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 your currently playing music from 11 different players, whereas the web messenger allows you to chat with your Xfire friends anywhere in the world, from any Java supporting OS.
Gfire
An open source GAIM plugin which allows you to add Xfire as a service to your GAIM client. Although it does not support game detection, it will allow you to chat with your friends and see what games they are playing.
Xfire Music Plugin
A standalone plugin for Windows Media Player that sets your status to a customizable string based on the media you are currently playing. The source is provided, and the program is in the public domain.
xfirelib
An open source library written in C++ which implements the Xfire Protocol. Based upon it is a Jabber gateway to Xfire (XFireGateway) which also implements GOIM extensions to the Jabber protocol.


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