Steam -vs- Xfire: A Showdown for the Ages
Although many would make the argument that Steam and Xfire cannot be compared, but I’d beg to differ. Both have some sort of community function, hoisting some sort of communication system through text and voice chat, and allows you to create clans, or groups/legions, whatever you want to call them.
Although Steam delivers content, and Xfire delivers a different form of content. Instead of allowing you to download the actual game content, it gives you the opportunity to actually compare games with your friends, and even has begun beta stages of stat tracking.
They are both different in many ways, but Steam heads torwards more content whilst Xfire focuses on more of a community aspect. Xfire is better in this area, as it holds a more able chat codec.
To utilize both programs and their functions correctly, you’re able to download the games off of the Steam service, but can take videos, screenshots, and chat whilst in a game you purchased from there. In this way, you’ll be buying games through digital redistribution and using an “AIM”-like chat with more features.
From a data-usage standpoint, Steam uses much more RAM, which can be an issue for gamers used to running their games on Very High settings. Xfire, on the other hand, uses much less resources, allowing games to run seamlessly while chatting with friends, or taking a video of your clan’s war, etc.
Xfire offers a variety of new features recently brought out, and boasts with automatic game updates, game downloads, a simple, yet effective chat system, and integrated in-game group chatting on text and voice settings.
Steam, on the other hand, offers more content, but only supports a small group of games, mostly developed by steam, and other companies that have a contract with the program. It focuses less on a community, and more on the actual games it supports, and the distribution of the games.
Expect further articles looking more into the features of each one.
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