Entropia Universe and Xfire Team Up for Global Gamer Communication

[Sirhc]

Originally Posted by MindBuster

Why is MindArk targetting people that arent even allowed to play EU ?

Now first all respect to the little handful of adult players, which EU'ers are, that actually found a use for Xfire, but Xfire users are mostly 15-17 year olds who uses it to brag about they got no real life, "look how many hours i've played" type of counterstrikers, EU EULA say's 18+ years.

Maybe it's time for a roadmap telling us older players what MindArks plan is with EU, first all the avatar changes to look young and smart, now targetting sub18 year olds.

Where is EU going exactly ?

I have heard it stated many times in the past on the News here that 15-21 year olds tend to be the demographic that has the most disposable income that spends it. A great deal of marketing goes into catering that group of people and most retailers fight a great deal to get their market share of it. I think EU is no different and might be trying to appeal to that audience more while still retaining who they already have.

The hard part of that is the collective attention span of that group changes rapidly and trying to keep up can bankrupt companies especially if they funnel a lot of cash into an idea that is not adopted.

While I like EU because of the maturity level many people in higher demographics have less income to spend because of other RL priorities like family and what not.

I can't blame MA for trying to snag a younger participant base but I am not sure if they will be able to keep them engaged in EU long term when they have to compete with rl fashions, other new games, and gadgets being updated all the time to cater to people of that age.

[AACB]

I'm so glad that Xfire and Mindark are working together. I've used Xfire for so long now, but its always been buggy with EU, now I hope they finally fix that. I remember for so long sending in requests to get EU as one of the games Xfire supports. Finally on day i found that the put it on one of their updates! Its a very useful tool to gamers, especially those with a strong community importance. It really allows for gaming friends to keep together.

[Sunab Naverith]

Originally Posted by timmmers

I just hope they leave the mobs alone. I don't fancy being critted by Pikachu.

t

Pikachu! Lighting bolt attack!

*Pika...Pika... PIKACHU!!* *CRACKLE*

Critical hit! 989 damage!
You were killed by the evil Pikachu Young


I've been using Xfire since version 0.10 - that's pre-beta for those who don't know . They've had their issues and their problems, but as of now they are one of the most secure IM programs out there, as well as the one that is most geared towards gamers.
CS'ers could answer this question the easiest, but how many times do you crash to desktop when someone IM's you on yahoo, AIM or MSN? Xfire allows you to receive these messages IN the game, without the need to minimize.
Xfire also allows secure P2P file transfers, VOIP either between two parties, or as many people as the hosters bandwidth allows ;-).
Xfire also allows persistent chatrooms that allow unlimited users to chat in them, as well as a variety of download functions for downloading straight from Xfire's download sections - and Xfire can also be set to auto-download patches for your existing games.
I could see this function being used to pre-seed people with the upcoming patch(es) for EU a few days before the update, through Xfire itself, rather than put a strain on MA's download server.

Oh yes, and currently (this is NOT a challenge to anyone...) Xfire cannot be "hacked" like Yahoo/AIM/MSN just by sending a particular block of text/program code over. So overall, I consider Xfire to be the best, secure IM program out there for gamers... or anyone in particular, for that matter!

(also glad I can now put my xfire siggie here .)
edit - where is my siggie? *sadface*

[Nikto]

Originally Posted by Sunab Naverith

Oh yes, and currently (this is NOT a challenge to anyone...) Xfire cannot be "hacked" like Yahoo/AIM/MSN just by sending a particular block of text/program code over. So overall, I consider Xfire to be the best, secure IM program out there for gamers... or anyone in particular, for that matter!

How you can be absolutely sure about that?
Just try search Xfire vulnerability - Google Search
If they have big amount vulnerability's in past, who know how secure it now. And it not open source.

Also it adaware (according to FAQ):

Originally Posted by Xfire FAQ

* Is Xfire really free? What's the catch?

Xfire is completely free. Xfire is supported by leading sponsors in the gaming industry, and brings relevant advertising messages to you. But rest easy; we do not sell, exchange, or share any user information with anyone. If you need further clarification on how we handle user information, read our privacy policy.

I use Miranda ATM and don't see any reason to use another messenger. If Xfire release in the future open source plugin for Miranda, then maybe i'm look at it, but don't think, what them do that

[Level]

ok, 711 and Mindbuster, moderators...If MA accepts Xfire...you have to accept Xfire too
I denand my banner be visible!

Level.

[AlphaGeek]

In addition to it's advertised function to players, it's adware.

As long as Xfire is a standalone product, no big deal. However if it's ever directly incorporated into EU... well that's the day my virtual yard sale starts.

AG

[Dante]

Well untill last update (when the login is done ingame) xfire build a crash report if you closed entropia, in that crash report was the COMMANDLINE including your login and password of your account!

I so not trusted that and into my eyes this was a big security risk and one of th reasons MA didn't cooperate with xfire in the first place. Even if they say it's confidential... it's still people that read the reports, they are simple employees. To be honest I wonder how many accounts they have at xfire...

Looks all safe now due to last update tho... no more login info in the commandline...

[AlphaGeek]

Interesting their FAQ says:
"But rest easy; we do not sell, exchange, or share any user information with anyone. If you need further clarification on how we handle user information, read our privacy policy."

While the privacy policy says they do hand the data out to "partners", and in the event they go in the corporate crapper in the sky.. well guess what? All your names are belong to whoever they sell them to. Granted, that's pretty typical of free net services, but the customer should be aware, despite the attempt to gloss these little details over in the FAQ.

AG

[PINKY]

Originally Posted by Level

ok, 711 and Mindbuster, moderators...If MA accepts Xfire...you have to accept Xfire too
I denand my banner be visible!

Level.

Didnt both of them already say it had been unblocked now, as few posts back?


Personally I cant see the point of it. Its so you can see what your friends are up to and in which game? Who cares? I play what i enjoy, not what my friends enjoy. If i want to speak to them, I can instant message them via a million and one available IM services. If I want to play with them, I will message them to invite them to play what i want to play, or they will invite me if they want me to play...

What useful purpose does this software actually have?

[Nikto]

Originally Posted by PINKY

What useful purpose does this software actually have?

It "brings relevant advertising messages to you." (c) Xfire FAQ