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Use GameProwler™ to find friends in Yahoo! Games?

GameProwler™ is a cool feature that further integrates Yahoo! Games and Yahoo! Messenger.

GameProwler™ helps you find your friends online and join them in the game they're playing.

How does it work?

You and your friends both need to be using the current version of Yahoo! Messenger. Please visit the Yahoo! Messenger site and download the new version if you don't already have it. Also, you must use the Windows version of Yahoo! Messenger. Mac, Java, Unix, and other versions do not support this feature yet.

Once you have the current version of Yahoo! Messenger installed, you're ready to go. When you're in a game lounge, make sure the option "Change my status automatically when playing a game on Yahoo! Games" is checked (under Preferences - Privacy). This will allow your friends to see what game you're playing. This box will be checked by default so you won't have to remember to check it every time.

Assuming the "Change my status automatically when playing a game on Yahoo! Games" option is on, your friends will see what game you're playing. For example, if you're playing Yahoo! Dominoes, "(Y! Dominoes)" will be displayed next to your ID in the Yahoo! Messenger window.

Please note that if you don't want your friends (or boss) to see that you're playing a game on Yahoo!, you should uncheck the "Playing a game on Yahoo! Games" box.

To join your friend in the game they're playing, right-click on their ID in Yahoo! Messenger and, from the list of options that pop up, select "Play Y! Dominoes with [their ID]." This will take you directly to the table where your friend is playing. However, if your friend is playing at a private table, you'll be taken to the game lounge instead. From there, you can ask them to invite you to the table. Each lounge holds a maximum of 251 players. If the lounge is full, you won't be able to join your friend.

Other items of interest:

  • If you log in to Yahoo! Messenger in "invisible mode," you'll appear as offline to your friends in Yahoo! Messenger, even if you've checked the "Let my friends find me" option.
  • If you choose the "IMs From Friends Only" option in a game lounge, only people on your Friend List will be able to send you instant messages. You can edit your Friend List via Yahoo! Messenger or My Yahoo!.
  • Currently, GameProwler™ will only work with your primary Yahoo! [localize_username.]. If your friend has added your alias to their Friend List, it will not properly show that you're playing a game. This will be addressed in a future version.
  • For more detailed help with using Yahoo! Messenger, please visit the Yahoo! Messenger help pages.

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