Game server browser

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A game server browser is a software application that enables a user to easily find online multiplayer servers for the Computer games they are playing. Recently this functionality is also applied to non-gaming server lists like locating internet radio, teamspeak, chat rooms or download servers.

[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

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

• Qtracker is a classic game server browser with a list-centric view and a large and highly configurable filter system

• GameSpy Arcade is a chat community based solution based on IRC with a medium number of filters

• Xfire is based around an instant messenger with added voice communication and some basic filters

• The All Seeing Eye was a great server browser until yahoo bought it from UDP Soft and it stopped being updated.

• Game Server Browser is a brand new server browser that shows great potential.

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

• web based browsers like Game Tiger, Game-Monitor, ServerSpy and HLSW Gamers Search.