Kali (game browser)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kali is a software game server browser for DOS, Windows 95, 98, NT, and XP enabling online multiplayer of IPX compatible games over a TCP/IP network. Versions were also created for OS2 and Mac, but neither version was well polished and are not maintained today.
Kali features an Internet Game Browser for TCP/IP native games, a buddy system, a chat system, and support for 400 games including Doom 3, Unreal Tournament 2004, Battlefield Vietnam, Counter Strike Condition Zero, and Master of Orion II.
The Kali software is free to download, but has a time-based cap for unregistered versions. For a one-time $20 fee the time restriction is removed.
[edit] History
The original Kali was created by Jay Cotton in the early 1990s to play Doom. The name of this initial program was iFrag. After the release of Descent, iFrag changed from a game specific program to a generic IPX – TCP/IP tunneling application and became Kali. Many games that support a LAN connection can be played over Kali.
In the mid-nineties, it was an extremely popular way to play Command & Conquer, Descent, Warcraft 2, and other games over the Internet. Since it was the only way to play Warcraft 2 against people outside of a LAN or dial-up connection, Blizzard actually included a copy of the program on the CD.
In the early part of this decade, Mr. Cotton decided to sell Kali to a company that would have the capital to expand the program and make it a force to be reckoned with in online gaming. However, this move proved to be disastrous for Kali as the new company folded shortly after the purchase. A year later Mr. Cotton reacquired the rights to the Kali software and system again. Since then he has resumed development and support of Kali.
As of 2006, the latest version of Kali is 2.613, which was released in February 2004. At present Kali works with over 400 games. Support has faded over the last years making usage of Kali harder and less effective.
