QTracker 4.9.2

Overview

QTracker is one the best software that enthusiastic multiplayer game supporters use. With it you can forget the in-game server browser, because this program brings its own intuitive server browser that supports over a hundred games and the only thing you have to do is pick the game you want to play, connect to a server from the list and launch it with just a click. On top of that, it can also be used as an mp3 streaming audio browser to find streaming audio servers and listen to your favorite music. It has tons of other features too that make it a really powerful and useful piece of software.

Installation

While installing QTracker you can choose to install the Trillian plug-in as well, which is basically an add-on for the Trillian instant messaging client that allows your away status to be changed when you’re joining game servers. The installation will then proceed normally, although it might take some time to finish since there are a lot of files included in the package that need to be extracted. The program is intended for use only under a Windows operating system.

Interface

The interface is quite modern and stylish. It is designed to be easy for the user to get familiar with, even though it has loads of features and options. A first-time wizard will guide you through the process of making the first configurations, for example choosing the games that you wish to play and the regions that you want servers to appear from. You can always change those settings later from the settings menu. When the initial setup is over, you can select a game from the ones you picked earlier and view all the servers available for that game. Find a server that suits you best, connect to it and you’re ready to go. All this is done from inside the main program, which you can customize to change its appearance. You can change themes or the way things are organized to make it suite your style.

Pros

First of all, it gathers all your games in one place for you to manage. No intro screens, no loading times, with QTracker it’s like you have all of them open and ready to start playing. It supports the most popular games and has a complete list of servers for each one, which you can sort by region, ping, name, map and many more options, as well as make the list smaller by filtering out particular servers. If you’re not in the mood for playing, you can just join a game as a spectator and watch it without interfering. Moreover, you can view a picture of the map that is being played in each server if you have trouble remembering which map belongs to which name. Additionally, you can create your own server and administrate it, as the program has all the tools you need to do that effortlessly. You’re also able to add players to your friend list and join them in the server that they are connected to without having to search for it manually.

Finally, when you want to take a break from the game you can listen to music by connecting to a streaming audio server, the same way you connect to a game server. It’s a very nice feature that makes the program even more admirable.

Cons

There is one main problem with QTracker, and that problem is that it’s hardly updated anymore. It is a great tool with an excessive list of features, but it is outdated since the developer stopped working on it for various reasons. Other than that, it does what it’s built to do without issues.

Alternatives

There are no alternatives with the same features that QTracker has, but there are applications similar to it. One example is Xfire, an instant messaging program that keeps record of the games that you play online and allows your friends to join you easily. With it you also have the ability to voice-chat with them while playing instead of typing. Another example is Desura, a service that allows users to buy or download games, mods and other types of content from game developers. With Desura players also join a community where they can chat and play games together.

Conclusion

Even if it is no longer updated, QTracker still is a very useful software. The supported games list is so big that you will find at least a few ones there that you like to play, so try out QTracker for a better and less troubling gaming experience.