Xfire

Xfire is an instant message client with one unique addition over other clients: it can be used inside of a pc based video game. The client is switched on before a game is played and can detect when a game is being launched. This allows it to display what game you are playing to all of your friends, as well as track your game stats for later viewing online. Also, making an Xfire account gives you access to the forums and profile system. It's an interesting application of social web technology as there is no need to visit the website once you have downloaded the client, yet you are still part of the network. Lastly, there is no reason to keep playing a game just to stay in touch with the people who you used to play it with, Xfire works perfectly well outside of a pc game and has even been introduced to GAIM (now Pidgin) through an extension although this extension does not seem to be updated on a regular basis.