Xfire 1.149 Build 45547

Overview

Xfire is a freeware and one of most popular applications people use when playing multiplayer games. It helps them join their friends in the servers when they are playing, as well as keeps a record of all the games that have been played in the past and displays general information about them. It has countless features, including integration of Xfire’s instant messenger in the game’s interface so that you don’t have to switch between applications all the time to chat, or live streaming a gameplay video for the rest of the Xfire community to watch. For every game that is supported (and that list is not small at all) you can browse all the available servers and connect to the one you want directly and jump right into the game.

Installation

Installation is pretty simple and quick. Along with the main Xfire application you can also choose to install the Xfire XO Toolbar, which is a browser add-on for quick access to some of Xfire’s features. It is mostly used for web games, acting as a mini Xfire for your browser. Other than this toolbar there is nothing else to note, with the installation finishing in an instant. All versions of Windows are supported.

Interface

This kind of interface is something you rarely see in a software. It is modern, stylish, innovating and very customizable. There are skins available for download that change the whole layout of the program so you can try out different ones if you don’t like the default or if you get bored with the same skin often. In the main window, which is not very big, at first you are asked to login or create an account and once you are signed in you will see different tabs. From there you can find your friends, chat with them in chat rooms, view servers for your games, download files (patches, updates etc.) and view screenshots and videos you have captured. A sidebar is on the right side and shows detailed information about the currently chosen feature. If you don’t want it there for whatever reason you can hide it (and unhide it too) just by clicking on the button next to the sidebar.

Pros

It is extremely user friendly. In fact, everything is so well-explained and easy to use that even first time users will feel like they’ve been using it for years. There are hotkeys for every action and from the settings window you can configure Xfire to make it work just the way you want.

The in-game chatting feature is particularly interesting, as you don’t have to alt+tab anymore between the game and your instant messaging client to chat with your friends. And if you’re not a fast typer, you can voice-chat instead. During gameplay, you can take screenshots or record videos and upload them to your Xfire profile, with the extra feature of allowing you to broadcast your game live.

Moreover, Xfire users have the ability to create groups so that anyone can join. Thousands of groups exist and make the games more entertaining, especially when a game doesn’t have the support of creating in-game clans and guilds.

Cons

You need a really powerful computer if you wish to record or stream, otherwise it will result in lagging and a bad quality video. This is a big disadvantage because newer games already have high specs, using Xfire to capture a video at the same time is not something that any machine can achieve.

Alternatives

WeGame is a great alternative to Xfire. Both are free and share many features, but WeGame seems to win in terms of quality and performance. However, Xfire is by far simpler and friendlier to the average user. Raptr is another alternative that is intended for a bit wider use; it is a service that keeps track of the games you play and the achievements you make not only in your computer, but in your XBOX 360, Wii and PS3 games too. By meeting certain qualifications in games you can even earn rewards like special in-game items or discount codes. There are lots of features to be explored in Raptr, so it’s not a bad idea to check it out.

Conclusion

When Xfire developers say “Gaming Simplified”, they know what they’re talking about. With this software you can resolve many difficulties that exist in online gaming and take it to a new level.