GameSpy Arcade is a new gizmo from the multiplayer gaming geniuses at GameSpy. Simply put, it's the easiest way to start or join an online multiplayer game. Action games, strategy games, even classics and board games are all (excuse the pun) fair game for the Arcade. A built-in chat, instant message system, voice chat, download manager and web browser make this the most powerful gaming environment on the planet. "Getting Started" instructions are listed below to help you bring on the ruckus. Online help is also available from within the program.
GAMESPY ARCADE IS SHAREWARE!
-------
You're welcome to check this sucker out, and we'd love to hear what you think. However, if you're a regular user, please register GameSpy Arcade to help support future development. A lifetime registration and access to all future upgrades is only US $20.00. Register online at http://www.gamespyarcade.com or call (949) 798-4200 -- we accept major credit cards!
1) Install and run the program. You'll have to create a user name and password when you first run the program -- the beauty of this is that GameSpy Arcade will remember your preferences no matter what system you log in from in the future.
2) When the program starts, you'll see the main navigation on the left hand side of the application. All of the games you have installed that support Arcade should be listed there. If you are certain you have supported games installed on your computer but don't see them, click "Scan for Games" under the application's File menu. You'll also find a bunch of free card games as well as a ton of cool web-based games you can play, right from the get-go!
3) To join and play a game, just click on its logo or title in the main menu. You'll go to a special chat room just for that game, with a listing of all the servers currently active. Start typing to chat, or double-click a server to join a game! Mouse over the names of the people in chat to see what games you have in common.
4) Don't have a game? Click the "Demos" button on the top left to see current information and a list of demos you can download from FilePlanet.com, the 'net's largest collection of game-related files. DemoSpy features a cool "download manager" and auto-resume for disconnected file downloads!
5) For more help, including a complete walkthrough, please see http://www.gamespyarcade.com/support/ or click the Help menu from within Arcade.
OTHER FEATURES
---------
** Support for nearly every type of online game available, from traditional first person shooters like Quake and Half-Life, to the popular stuff like Scrabble and Spades, to web-based games. GameSpy Arcade supports well over 200 retail games and demos.
** Play a variety of games previously limited to LAN play or centralized online services using GameSpy Arcade's built-in "virtual LAN" support.
** Find prospective opponents with Arcade's killer Player Matching system -- select "Player Matching" under the file menu, and Arcade will show you all available players who have that game installed.
** SmartSpy is the ultimate tool for FAST server list refreshes. Just select the type of game servers you want and and Arcade will only download and ping servers running that specific modification. This is MANY times faster than most in-game server browsers, so you can spend less time waiting and more time winnin'.
** Arcade is skinnable. Check the GameSpyArcade.com site for more information on how to create your own custom version of Arcade.
** Meet people from all around the world and talk with them in real time using GameSpy Arcade's live audio voice-chat capabilities.
** An integrated web browser and hundreds of built-in links are available so you can keep track of the tons of happenings going on each day within the Webby-Award Winning GameSpy Network of websites.
GENERAL ISSUES
-------
* Problems with ZoneAlarm and other firewalls: Personal firewall products, such as ZoneAlarm and BlackIce, often disconnect Arcade from the chat and buddy servers when Arcade updates server lists. If you are having problems with lockups or disconnections try reading our firewall support page http://www.gamespyarcade.com/support/firewalls.shtml.
GAME SUPPORT NOTES
-------
All supported games must be properly installed from legal copies of the original game disks. Many games also require that you have the CD in the drive before launching the game through GameSpy Arcade.
Be sure to check the GameSpy Arcade website (http://www.gamespyarcade.com/) for the latest support and compatibility notes.
CREDITS
-------
PROGRAMMING
Bryan "Walla" Gibson-Winge
David "crt" Wright
Jason "Lumberjack" DeArte
Dan "Mr. Pants" Schoenblum
Tony "Dangermouse!!!" Dinh
Rich "Huckster" Rice
Jeff "Piece of Treat" Anderson
PRODUCTION
Frank "5IRON" Rogan
Todd "Tungsten" Northcutt
WRITING
Dave "Fargo" Kosak
Sean "Spiff" Flinn
Carlos "dr.angryman" Salgado
WEB PROGRAMMING
Chris "Posh" Longden
Todd "CobraBiff" Nelson
Adam "badass_hank" Coyne
James "Tetsuo" Katic
Bill "MadDipper" Rodenbaugh
BIZ
Mark "TheFreshMaker" Surfas
Chris "CreamyDon" Early
DEVELOPER RELATIONS
Joost Schuur
CONTENT MANAGEMENT
Orlando "Knower" Rojas
ARTWORK
Matt "Kindrak" Chandronait
Mike "Gabriel" Krahulik
SOUNDS
christopher "shaithis" buecheler
Caryn "Hellchick" Law
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Eric "Centurion" Ray
The GameSpy Staff
FEEDBACK/BUGS
-------
Bug Reports: Please use the Bug Reporting Tool, found in the application's Help menu. Please include as much detail as you can in reporting the bug.
New Feature Ideas: Please use the New Features Request Tool, also found in the application's Help menu. Again, please provide as much detail as possible.
Otherwise, if you have feedback, please write to feedback@gamespyarcade.com
Due to the nature of software development and the large amount of feedback we receive, GameSpy Industries is unable to credit, monetarily or otherwise, any person for new, unsolicited feature ideas submitted to the company, whether or not the feature in question is actually implemented.
