Gamespy Arcade Software, Servers and voice chat

[moose1am]

I downloaded the 103 patch and it asked me if I wanted to install game spot now or later. Didn't give me the option to not install it in the text message. Maybe I misread it. I found gamespy nothing but advertising. Way too much information for what I wanted. Looking for something simple to use to play multilayer games. Also I noticed that after installing the gamespy software that my McAfee Virus Scanner went bonkers. Also found that the clicking noise that I get on my speakers when I click on a link was gone. I had to go into the control panel and restore my windows sounds back to the default setting. I like to know that when I left click on a link in Windows Explorer a Clicking sound is heard on my speakers. That lets me know that the click worked. If I don't hear the click noise (windows default) then I somethings will click the link again and get two versions of a web site showing on my desktop.

I suspect that when I installed gamespy software that it made some changes to my sound cards or windows sounds.

Is anyone really going to use the gamespy servers? I see where you have to sign up to use them. Nothing is free and I don't mind paying a small fee to use them but what I hate is auto renewal fees that many sites use. I find them hard to figure out how to cancel the auto renewal thing. So I am very Leary of signing up on anything these days until I figure out all the details of how to unsubscribe etc. My first visit to the gamespy site was last night and it was late and I was too tired to read all that stuff.

Maybe if I know that many others will be using it I too will be tempted to try it.

Anybody using it now or intend to use gamespy servers in the future?

I noticed that my zone alarm was asked to give the gamespy access to the internet as a SERVER. I don't really like doing that either. Is it necessary to let my computer internet connect act as a SERVER to play DW online?

[Zerogreat]

I used game spy to play sub command few times in the past, it is completely free, there are just the annoying ads I never noticed game spy interfering with my system

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by moose1am

I downloaded the 103 patch and it asked me if I wanted to install game spot now or later. Didn't give me the option to not install it in the text message.

"Install Later" means "Don't install at all"... They're just being clever, that's all. I promise.

I found gamespy nothing but advertising. Way too much information for what I wanted. Looking for something simple to use to play multilayer games. Also I noticed that after installing the gamespy software that my McAfee Virus Scanner went bonkers.
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I noticed that my zone alarm was asked to give the gamespy access to the internet as a SERVER. I don't really like doing that either. Is it necessary to let my computer internet connect act as a SERVER to play DW online?

There are many SpyWare and Firewall applications that aren't especially high on Gamespy Arcade. It's up to you whether you feel that is justified or not, but to me I endorse the product and hope that it will help promote the multi-player aspect of Dangerous Waters.

I suspect that when I installed gamespy software that it made some changes to my sound cards or windows sounds.

I'd be HIGHLY doubtful of that, but that's certainly possible I suppose.

Is anyone really going to use the gamespy servers? I see where you have to sign up to use them. Nothing is free and I don't mind paying a small fee to use them but what I hate is auto renewal fees that many sites use. I find them hard to figure out how to cancel the auto renewal thing. So I am very Leary of signing up on anything these days until I figure out all the details of how to unsubscribe etc. My first visit to the gamespy site was last night and it was late and I was too tired to read all that stuff.

The Ad supported version is entirely FREE. If you don't like the ads (i.e. and your Spyware scanner will not like it, as you discovered) then you can upgrade to the full version for some specified amount. But the ad supported version should have no effect on the performance of your computer, its drivers, or any hardware settings in windows...

It's up to you, of course.

[moose1am]

Thanks for the great feedback Jamie.

I installed the gamespy software ok. I found that there is an uninstall link in the Gamespy folder so that if I want I can delete it later.

I have configured my McAfee and ZAP to allow the gamespy software to work.

The only thing that changed was the click sound file was no longer associated with my sound files. I just told windows to use the default windows sound files and all was ok again. The only thing I did to my computer was install the patch so that was why I figured that it changed something. But I never know what really goes on inside WINDOWS XP. LOL It was a easy fix.

I also hope that they help promote the online game play. I look forward to some games with the other people and some coop play someday. I am still playing offline and trying to figure all the whistles and bells out right now. But I am an older guy and I am sure that the younger guys will pick this stuff up much faster than us old guys.

Originally Posted by Jamie

"Install Later" means "Don't install at all"... They're just being clever, that's all. I promise.

There are many SpyWare and Firewall applications that aren't especially high on Gamespy Arcade. It's up to you whether you feel that is justified or not, but to me I endorse the product and hope that it will help promote the multi-player aspect of Dangerous Waters.

I'd be HIGHLY doubtful of that, but that's certainly possible I suppose.

The Ad supported version is entirely FREE. If you don't like the ads (i.e. and your Spyware scanner will not like it, as you discovered) then you can upgrade to the full version for some specified amount. But the ad supported version should have no effect on the performance of your computer, its drivers, or any hardware settings in windows...

It's up to you, of course.