A Time for a Change

[hypnotoadtrance]

Official Xfire Community

Official Chatroom

Dear Xfire,

The disturbing lack of Xfire updates and their low quality has spurred us to take action. With only two updates of appallingly low quality, we can no longer tolerate this.

We feel this is unacceptable, and we, your community, propose a change. We would like to instate that a few, trusted, individuals be allowed to actively improve on the Xfire client’s code. With this, we could speed up and improve the development of Xfire, allowing for new features, bug fixes, and greater degrees of optimization.

There are many bugs that have gone unfixed for the entire time Titan has owned Xfire. A few that come to mind are the video codec coming unsynced with the audio, lack of DX11 support, parsing Xfire URLs, Logitech plugin issues, World of Tanks in-game chat issues, Xfire crashes with 6-core AMD CPUs, lack of support for multiple cores, bugs with displaying game hours.

Allowing a select few volunteers access to the source code will allow the bugs listed (and many more like them) to be fixed in a much shorter time period, along with the addition of new features the community desires and not only those the development team infers to be useful, giving Xfire all the more potential to grow where it was never able to under the ownership of both Viacom and its original team, and fostering a greater relationship with the community that has kept it alive for almost a decade. With these actions, Xfire will not only be a better environment, but so will the company itself.

We, and many other community members love Xfire. Should we not give back? There are brilliant programmers and people who dwell within your community; why let them go to waste? Some of the best projects allow for active community contribution, and it was this sort of flexibility that propelled them to greatness. Please, do consider such a proposal. It may very well be the wisest decision you’ll ever make.


To reiterate, our requests are as follows:

1. That you grant external developers the ability to accelerate Xfire client development.
2. That you develop an Xfire API and/or SDK for developers.
3. That you create a developer discussion group consisting of a select few members from the community who will represent the community and convey ideas to the Xfire developer team.

Any one of these suggestions would be a beneficial, and outstanding addition to Xfire. We would love this and feel that it would benefit everyone--including Xfire. We ask that each suggestion listed be considered individually.

In order to fully illustrate our suggestions, we have prepared a Power Point presentation for you.

click here to see the Power Point

Do not evade the heart of this matter or try to reply with anything to the effect of

“We are currently working on these issues and we appreciate your input.�

We have heard this long enough. We are here to take action by offering these ideas. Will you not accept them?

Sincerely signed,

hypnotoadtrance
no1seriouslly
stopbanningme (lilzeffy)
f1lm
34tmyl337
aliceblair
ScarletTourniquet

[hypnotoadtrance]

The following persons are in favor of this proposal:

1. [Xfire/XFGM] JohnHolder - Click here to read this person's testimony
2. [Xfire] WonderGamer - Click here to read this person's testimony
3. [XFGM] ThE_MarD - Click here to read this person's testimony
4. [XFGM] Tourette
5. [XFGM] Koiranpentu
6. [XFGM] yumeji
7. [XFGM] Blind - Click here to read this person's testimony
8. [XFGM] TParis
9. [XFGM] Daniellynet
10. [XFGM] FeliX Leonhart
11. [XFGM] Espionage724
12. [XFGM] Pilot_51 - Click here to read this person's testimony
13. [XFGM] Luminous - Click here to read this person's testimony
14. [XFGM] Lynnea
15. Daevo (former Xfire intern)
16. [Xf Helper] <ONCX> gαмє�
17. [Xf Helper] Supercop007
18. [Xf Freelance] Raggnarokh
19. |ELITE|Reloaded^CoS - Click here to read this person's testimony
20. [FragWorld] (TCG)Tragic[O] - Click here to read this person's testimony
21. [FragWorld] TriggerPappy
22. GodJonez - Click here to read this person's testimony
23. AlienOne - Click here to read this person's testimony
24. Roadbloc - Click here to read this person's testimony
25. Amonacha - Click here to read this person's testimony
26. Lux
27. ScarletTourniquet - Click here to read this person's testimony
28. Frost Moontail - Click here to read this person's testimony
29. Ms. Jackson
30. Link
31. Toddster
32. F1 GTR
33. Typhoon
34. HypnoToadTrance
35. MasacruAlex - Click here to read this person's testimony
36. ||26||Scrilla
37. ‎Mr. Melon
38. derpcat
39. Blade Wolf
40. Zoo - Click here to read this person's testimony
41. Blame Potatoes
42. Charon
43. Ice
44. Chevko - Click here to read this person's testimony
45. Prophet
46. Alivia
47. тоӎ
48. =Æ= ♥ λ м З ♥ (ΛмΞЋЧѕЃ)
49. mjordan
50. Starburst119
51. Spiderk132
52. (¯`·._.·Î"v*Å`η·._.·´¯)
53. Mathzx
54. «RF»Predator
55. mrvalle1995
56. FoxTwo
57. Ryosuke
58. WeaponTheyFear7 - Click here to read this person's testimony
59. Z5teve
60. BlackCobra
61. BlackShark
62. x535
63. [M][z5]Steven[S][N]
64. sexMACH1NE ℓ٥ﻻ ﻉ√٥υ ツ
65. PePe
66. Boston
67. CLS
68. Era Vulgaris
69. Killj0y
70. Dutch T
71. Ajdino
72. Lgamer<ONCX>
73. Hobo - Click here to read this person's testimony
74. elfluffy323
75. |UTB| MattyDeez
76. krakpocoyo
77. ωσ£ƒ
78. shawn
79. roy141
80. KillerStefan
81. (TCG)Tragic[O]
82. [GfL][MOWR] CrazyKid
83. [BFT] Saint_Roi
84. ! aj | ɥʇ�ɹ�[ɔɔ]
85. Lord FireFox
86. Bird
87. starxpilot
88. marcchello
89. gun558
90. &#123;SS&#125;Xall
91. Isaac
92. <|WDD|> Fozlo
93. xajdinox
94. vliegvuur14
95. spyer20
96. thecatsmeow
97. imperioame
98. darserca
99. gadghet
100. slymurgeni
101. mox1x2
102. maskedjackal
103. avgjoedirt
104. murezormenethil
105. wenzeel
106. RY4N
107. î'M * Epic &#123;[DTP]&#125;
108. Marcchell0
109. sidburn
110. yurix3m
111. holyd
112. infinitesutra
113. slimshady54
114. erossek
115. -a2k-maddog39
116. .uNop:: Redeye
117. ecorex
118. celestoo
119. robinjonk
120. pgsmr2
121. genesison1
122. specialops124
123. Faust
124. potency955
125. l2pno0b
126. euronfin
127. bobbo18
128. tracknitro
129. chaklong - Click here to read this person's testimony
130. unstoppable17
131. casevil
132. SkyCöüGär
133. RareDragon
134. Casevil the Savant
135. luluthefirst
136. drossen
137. lakuttaja
138. emil2k
139. wastedbullet
140. johndoe90simo
141. scooby5551
142. sexfx
143. temporary
144. »§Ʀ«ɋɯɘɾɫɣυιѳ�15™
145. juniorissimo
146. Zorlac
147. karriz
148. rykuu - Click here to read this person's testimony
149. force1889
150. turboapina
151. Harm |6ft.U - Click here to read this person's testimony
152. godasylum
153. district0668
154. Kou
155. (FG) mastermc0
156. x3aro
157. roshooter79
158. sniff3000
159. bloodyeddy09
160. nvclanspartan118
161. exglade
162. smargoos
163. valentinerain
164. tom1650
165. timepast
166. lehtiska
167. drpyropiranha
168. -=[U|F]=-Trinitrotoluene
169. ihmeneito
170. enrilsoul
171. al3xth3gr3at
172. toineb
173. fonkydog
174. gary147
175. gerflotti
176. [R*]�ãήžε®
177. fragbaitnoobitch
178. pavz4
179. Decode
180. ilubaznguys
181. babybiebs
182. xhuntress
183. whiteattack
184. xxbartoxx
185. W00tbeer1
186. panchaiy8794
187. nikkislayer7
188. [UGX] treminaor
189. Twinsen
190. �ε4ŧħ
191. johnnified
192. chaosdeathwarlord
193. dutchbandit3
194. chmsimpon
195. jopinho
196. josephsmithjr
197. C_O_D_E
198. zelda9969
199. Yepi69®
200. spillblood2000
201. &#123;EN&#125;Yomo
202. Ferdex
203. ddruid777
204. virovitican
205. coctamen
206. tokycar
207. niketic
208. demonicga
209. visperion
210. badass102
211. toddster55555
212. tigrlilly
213. bf2gamer140
214. sky-e.de|Dragon
215. dragonji
216. ronaldix
217. cmsglow
218. xxbartoxx
219. ceroki
220. ddruid777
221. ponygsi
222. titanskillz
223. karatemaccie
224. wootpowns
225. Ryo
226. [Lg.C]ucjohnny boy
227. (!SH)tolomei
228. ' Paul.n1 | TB
229. fms1011
230. [BFT] Crust20 [DL]
231. devilhunter1234
232. flyingmaverick
233. darnath
234. chicky59
235. TheZeroFox
236. killerofpingoin
237. john753664
238. diassko
239. hardarm98
240. flogiw3b
241. brunoalmeida91
242. lspraven
243. tigrlilly
244. monsterkiller9
245. aaannnooo
246. dizzybeno
247. fifolexe
248. martickiki
249. este59920
250. di922345
251. serena57050
252. co11ider
253. sirkilic

If you see any erroneous entries, please let someone know.

[hypnotoadtrance]

List of Known Issues

Critical

• OpenGL not working in Brink for Xfire In-Game chat. Can still log screenshots, videos and broadcast just no display of Xfire In-Game.
  (might be on OpenGL 3.1 or newer)
  
• D3D11 or D3D10 not working for Xfire In-Game chat or cause game to crash on load no matter what InGameFlag is used.
  (World Of Warcraft D3D11, Aliens Versus Predator D3D11, Dragon Age 2 retail D3D11, F.E.A.R. 3 D3D11, Hamilton's Great Adventure D3D11 only game, Lost Planet Extreme Condition D3D10, Resident Evil 5 D3D10)
  

  For more specific issues for the programmers: XIG doesn't work with D3D10/11 games using B8G8R8A8 or R10G10B10A2 backbuffer formats.

• D3D9 not working at all in some games no matter what InGameFlags are used.
  (Natural Selection 2, Regnum Online)
  
• Several Xfire Keyboard bleeding issues that cannot be solved with current flags Thread link for testing/discussing.
  (Asda Story 1, Asda Story 2, Duke Nukem Forever, Magika, Minecraft & Terraria... maybe uses Xinput of XNA Framework instead of Direct Input same with jinput from Java SDK???)
  
• Mouse bleed issues that can't be solved with current flags
  (Duke Nukem Forever, Magika, Minecraft & Black Prophecy.. maybe same problem with XNA framework)
  
• Mouse bleed issues or disables the game's mouse cannot be solved with or without USE_DINPUT_MOUSE
  (Fable III & Red Faction Armageddon... maybe uses Xinput from XNA framework?? I don't think Xinput is supported by Xfire)
  
• Discolored screenshots
  (Magika)
  
• APB Reloaded skin does not work in Xfire In-Game 1.0
  (http://www.xfire.com/profile/demoniz...view#115159724)
  
• Can't launch certain games from Xfire unless via .lnk
  (Doomsday Engine, Forgotten Hope 2)
  
• Xfire XO Toolbar does not have functioning Xfire In-Game for webgames on anything newer than Internet Explorer 7 and FireFox 3.6 for a lot of users.
  (quakelive & other webgames)
  
• Xfire XO Toolbar does not seem to detect webgames on anything newer than Internet Explorer 7 and FireFox 3.6 for a lot of users.
  (quakelive & other webgames)
  
• Xfire still detecting game running even after game is closed (Folder ownership/locked issues?)

Common

• Cannot manually detect .exe's if there's http code present
  (Runescape, Minecraft)
  
• DDRAW1, DDRAW2 & DDRAW4 have discoloration issues in games even with trying InGamePaletteIgnore
  (Gothic II, Dungeon Keeper)
  
• Xfire In-Game not taking screenshot of full game window no matter what, seems mainly a DDRAW issue
  (ZNES)
  
• Xfire In-Game chat seems to not work with Internet Explorer 9 or FireFox 4.
  (Quake Live & I was working on Battlestar Galactica Online and had it working at one point before I upgraded to IE9 and FF4 now can't continue testing)
  
• Xfire In-Game transparency not adjusting correctly to the slider no matter what InGameFlag is set.
  (Final Fantasy XIV)
  
• Icon transparency not working on client's sidebar and website but work on friends list (link)
  (.ico transparency ok, .gif no)

Optional

• Full details on what all Xfire's InGameFlags are and what they do
  (Mainly just to make our lives a bit easier :P)
  
• Xfire In-Game Frames Per Second displays an incorrect value
  (Grand Theft Auto IV & Final Fantasy XIV)

Special Thanks to [XFGM] ThE_MarD for compiling this list of issues.

[indiemusiq]

Xfire hasn't been the same ever since it was bought.

Edit* if Xfire accepted this proposal, it would begin the steps to return Xfire to its former glory.

[groenekutvogel]

Xfire hasn't been the same ever since it was bought.

This sums up, what most people will say or want to say.

[34tmyl337]

Xfire hasn't been the same ever since it was bought.

Xfire has had some of these problems all its life, not just since it was bought by Titan.

Actually the previous owners probably wouldn't think twice about making a developer API. There are reasons they wouldn't, and they're good ones, but they are not oversought here and can be fixed.
Why I signed this, personally, is because the reasons they shouldn't support this proposal are eclipsed by the reasons they should.

[hypnotoadtrance]

Xfire hasn't been the same ever since it was bought.

Xfire has had some of these problems all its life, not just since it was bought by Titan.

Actually the previous owners probably wouldn't think twice about making a developer API. There are reasons they wouldn't, and they're good ones, but they are not oversought here and can be fixed.
Why I signed this, personally, is because the reasons they shouldn't support this proposal are eclipsed by the reasons they should.

Moontail makes a great point.

All things have their risks, but it is important to weigh those against the benefits.

[thedestroyer1991]

I joined the community, because the fixes takes too long time or they aren't fixed. And because there were only 2 Xfire client updates since Titan took over.
After those action they old members back and get new members .

[roadblocv2beta]

It is my opinion that the only thing that can save xfire is a total redesign and overhaul of both the website and client. I think the proposals made by HypnoToadTrance and the rest is the only realistic way to achieve this now, this far on since the buyout.

[ialok]

I suck with words, explanations and whatnot, but I'm gonna give a shot at trying to say why I think we need this change (and you can all watch me fail horribly )


While the community is great for helping everyone out with fixing issues here or fixing issues there, not all of these issues can be fixed by going to the forums and posting about it alone, some of these issues can only be fixed by updates, and Xfire needs an update. While the game compatibilities are awesome, we need the client coding worked through to fix bugs that might be going on with it, and are going on with it as others have noticed (I'm not so bright personally to see issues unless they're screaming me in the face).

The users that offer to fix these issues only need to be able to get at the issues to fix them, not be able to look at the client codebase itself, just enough coding that they can fix the issues that are plaguing users, nothing more. With the community working on bugfixes, the issues that come up will quickly be fixed - no need to wade through the six threads asking the same thing posted two hours apart and asking each individual user what their issues are and helping them out, only to have five more threads appear as soon as those are done; if a select few of the community are granted ability to fix those issues, then no more spam about users having issues with this one thing, even if something new happens five minutes later. Updates get rolled out regularly and issues get fixed.



... And holy crap I lost my train of thought -_-;;

[daowace]

The main things I want to know are:

1) Exactly how many of the old developers stayed and trained the new team?

2) How many (if any) of the old developers actually stayed when Titan took over?

3) If the old developers trained the new team, why has it taken the new team such a long time to release client updates?

4) How many members did Titan have working on Xfire at the time of acquisition, and how many are currently on the team?


There have been many requests, but a personal one I've wanted is a modular Xfire client, with the ability to add and remove features at will.

Having a modding API would give us such flexibility. I'm sure a lot of people know about Xfire Plus and the things they've done. Imagine what they could do if they had access to the source code or even an API.


It really has been too long. As a XFGM, even our game update duties are being heavily affected by the lack of client updates. Too many game engines have problems with XIG, and some don't even work with it at all. More and more recent games are becoming problematic, and this will only continue to get worse.

We have yet to see said innovation Titan proclaimed on the day of the acquisition. It really has almost come to a full year, and Xfire has barely progressed at all. The only thing really keeping it alive has been the game updates we're pushing out. Other than that, it's sat almost completely stagnant all this time and more and more users are getting let down, angry, and even leaving Xfire.

We need change, and we need it as soon as possible.

[masacruforgroove]

When I confirmed I am for it, I didn't use my brain fully

[harrisj]

I think this is a great idea. Would help make Xfire grow at a much faster rate.

[slayer592]

I think Xfire would be better off with trusted people from the community helping them so they can make it better, more compatible, and fix bugs. Also having the developer tools (SDK API included) would make a huge difference to Xfire. The forums need more tools and codes enabled (bb, http, JavaScripts etc.)

I joined Xfire, because it is an easy program to keep in touch with friends so you can play games together (and stalk them to see that they are playing). But this main Idea of the community helping could boost Xfire’s efficiency and funding, even by just having that community discussion group would be good for Xfire.
Also if Xfire had more funding it could employ more developers for itself and moderators for the forums.

[z5teve]

"MasacruAlex" Now with external help I know for sure we'd get more stuff at once than we'd have gotten even with the previous team. Why? Because the previous team wouldn't wanna do 50 things at once but release throughout the updates/months you know?

I think it is time for a change, many companies make the mistake of not truly understanding how an API can grow their business. Instead, companies believe developers should all be paying for API access and should only get limited access, at that

Also Id like to see small changes like XFIRE SCREENSHOTS WIDGET To be fixed.

[ryosuketakahashi86]

It is my opinion that the only thing that can save xfire is a total redesign and overhaul of both the website and client. I think the proposals made by HypnoToadTrance and the rest is the only realistic way to achieve this now, this far on since the buyout.

+1 for that, actually design for xfire has a long time with the same, and the XIG (Xfire in game) needs to be support ingame the new DirectX versions (10-11, and ultimate versions of OPGL maybe?) to take screens and videos; reduce CPU use in take a Broadcast or capture a video with the XIG.
I think this and other changes that i had been waiting for a long time.

PD: Thx HypnoToadTrance to put me in the list.

[friendlyhobo]

You can add my name to the list.

[hypnotoadtrance]

You can add my name to the list.

Added.

Thank you for your support.

Would you care to elaborate on why you support this? We think it would be best if each supporter gave reasons.

[friendlyhobo]

Added.

Thank you for your support.

Would you care to elaborate on why you support this? We think it would be best if each supporter gave reasons.

Personally, the lack of updates doesnt bother me. But it bothers many of my friends whom have been rapidly quitting Xfire. The more of my friends quit, the less likely I am to use the client. I already barely use it.

Then the forums are awful. Most forums go unmoderated, the ones that are moderated tend to be over moderated. The forum is filled with trolls and idiocy, and quite frankly are just annoying now a days. Without some kind of change happening I don't see me sticking around for another month.

[harrisj]

Add me to the list.

Hard to say why i agree because most of the things where already mentioned.

Basically, with little staff to work on the client no bugs are fixed, no new features are added and before you know it you have a very buggy and outdated program.

A website shows who you are, so an outdated website with the theme of the early-mid 2000's doesn't look that appealing anymore. It's all about simplicity, cleanliness and eye orgasmic colors.

After a decade or close to that it is usually a lot better to rebuild applications or websites from scratch to better the ability and performance of the existing framework and I think this is exactly what Xfire needs to do. Yes, we all know that is time consuming and eats up a ton of money to get that done, but in the end it will all pay off by keeping Xfire in the top 10 preferred gaming messengers.

Now is the time to think, it is now mid-2011 and time to step out of the early-mid 2000's. Step away from C++ and perhaps move to C# so you can easily expand the client from Windows to a non-windows PC. Add more Ajax to your pages so the users get a more responsive and pleasing visit on the website.

There is my rant and my suggestions.