Game server browser

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A game server browser, or game scanner, is a software application enabling users to locate online multiplayer servers for various compatible Computer games. Certain examples also include services such as internet radio, teamspeak, chat rooms or download.

[edit] Implementation

The job of a Game server browser can be broken up into several parts with the following being mandatory:

• retrieval of a list of game servers from a master game server

• measuring lag and packet loss between the user and a list of game servers

• requesting server details from a list of game servers. Examples: current number of players, list of current players, rules of gameplay, type or mod of gameplay.

• filtering, sorting and displaying server details

• launching a game and connecting it to a game server. This may also include setting username, password, computer configuration of technical and content details.

The following jobs are considered optional but have become somewhat standard:

• tracking and searching of players alias "buddy finder"

• out-of-game chat or cooperation with IRC

• voice communication

• community building through events, chats and forums

• advertising for game specific products

• management of game servers

[edit] Examples

• Tribes Master Server A newer GSB designed for viewing the game server list for Starsiege:_Tribes

• HLSW One of the originals. It originated as a Half-Life administration tool but is now capable of browsing and administrating nearly every game currently played by gamers.

• Kali Fast and accurate with a list-centric view, a large and highly configurable filter system, and a buddy list. It is frequently updated to support the latest games.

• Qtracker A classic GSB with a list-centric view and a large and highly configurable filter system.

• GameSpy Arcade A popular GSB based on IRC with a medium number of filters. It started out as a standalone application called GameSpy but eventually transformed into what it is today.

• Xfire A gaming instant messenger that has GSB support along with voice communication and some basic filters.

• The All Seeing Eye A popular GSB that stopped being updated after Yahoo! acquired it from UDP Soft. Highly customizable; allows the addition of new games that can be user-defined as well as auto-detected. As of April 2008, the ASE service has been shut down by Yahoo!, with refunds issued to subscribers.[1]

• Game Server Browser A newer GSB that is free and has a very nicely-designed interface. Only seems to support a limited number of games at this time with no capability to add other games.

• Hybrids, components and helper programs like Qstat, gslist and XQF.

• Web based GSBs, such as Game Tiger, Game-Monitor, ServerSpy, HLSW Gamers Search and Game Tracker.

[edit] See Also

Game Server