Hi guys,

I'm completely new to the world of GO.

I was wondering if anyone could explain some of the differences between each of these servers?

I did some search online, and a lot of people seem to like KGS because it's a very friendly and vocal community where people talk in chat with each other very often, whether it's in an observer mode, or in game mode. I actually downloaded KGS and did find this community very welcoming.

At the same time, I also downloaded Pandanet(IGS) which i found it to be very aesthetically pleasing in terms of their graphical interface (new one): http://i.imgur.com/JcHlpD2.png

Then, there's also Tygem, which I think are more popular amongst asian players?

As of now, i'm torn between KGS and IGS. while kgs' community is amazing, IGS has that graphical interface that I find very pleasing to the eyes.

From googling, a lot of people commented that KGS has better analysis and review features, but most of these posts are from a few years back. Does anyone know if Pandanet(IGS)'s new system has an equal review/analysis system ?

Also, which one are known to have a bigger community? the better players?

Does anyone have experience with both the new IGS system, as well as KGS?

If you're looking for people you can speak with in non-Asian languages, KGS is your best bet. It's the biggest community outside of the Asian servers.

IGS is a bit more of a mix, since it was started in the US, but it has been purchased by a Japanese company and is mostly made up of Japanese players. During night time in Japan, KGS is a bit more populated. One it's daytime in Japan, the population there is much higher. IGS does have support in English and the clients are kept up to date as well.

Tygem and wbaduk both have significantly more players, but their English clients have significantly more bugs and oddities that can make them more frustrating. Usually it's better to play there when you have a better grasp on the game and want to try out a different environment. Support in English is much more lacking.

OGS is fairly small, but it can be worth checking out too.

In order, I would say check out KGS and get some games there, then IGS and OGS are good alternatives for a different feel.

Your descriptions of KGS and IGS seem accurate. KGS has a stronger community and IGS has a nicer client. I personally prefer the KGS, but I play on multiple servers.

I haven't cared much for Tygem. I know it has more users, but the client is harder to use. I've never played on wbaduk before.

OGS feels like it's mainly for correspondence games. Yes, it does have support for live games, but I don't think the client or userbase is that great for it. It can take a long time to find a live game with someone of your rank.

I originally didn't care for correspondence games, but they've grown on me. If you haven't ever played correspondence give the OGS a try for that.

_________________
"You have to walk before you can run. Black 1 was a walking move.
I blushed inwardly to recall the ignorant thoughts that had gone through
my mind before, when I had not realized the true worth of Black 1."
-Kageyama Toshiro on proper moves

I would actually recommend OGS first. My only gripe with OGS (from several months ago) was that most live games were played in the 30-20k range (ie, beginner). For those who want to play at that level, or observe games at that level, it should definitely be good. There are still disadvantages, I suppose (it might be more difficult to get a spur-of-the-moment teaching game from a much stronger player; I don't know this, I'm just guessing).

KGS is alright (I mostly sign on just to watch mid-Dan, and occasionally high-Dan, games), but the client is extremely stagnant. Stone sounds don't work in modern JVMs, and the feature set is very outdated. OGS has much better review tools (including variation sharing amongst spectators during a game; my favorite feature!). KGS might appear to be a friendly place at first, but stick around and you'll notice the highly oppressive administration; you might even get your hand slapped for no good reason.

I can't say much for the other servers, but IGS might gain a plus if you have an iOS device and would want to play or watch some Go while on the go; there are many different clients with IGS connectivity. KGS does offer an Android app (for $10).

The other correspondence game option is the Dragon Go Server, which was at one point somewhat stalled development-wise, but does have a working phone client and has recently been undergoing numerous improvements. I tended to prefer the old OGS to it, but prefer it to the new OGS, to some degree.

I must admit, I don't actually like the review tools on OGS as much as the KGS ones. They feel a bit clunkier to me. I would agree, though, that live games on OGS are very much in the minority as compared to correspondence ones.

While those games are still the majority, there has been a rise in SDK/DDK games, and every once in a while we can even watch Dan-level games.

Thing is, it needs players to attract players, it needs strong players to attract strong players. I can only suggest that people come and play, play, play. A new update is said to be coming soon …

Also, this server is NOT just for correspondence games: Since the merger with nova.gs one can play both live and correspondence, and other than DGS the game switches to live when both players are present, with chat and all.


Greetings, Tom

_________________
“The only difference between me and a madman is that I’m not mad.” — Salvador Dali ★ Play a slooooow correspondence game with me on OGS?

Baffled by the criticism of Tygem's English client. I've never encountered a bug, to me it is the most visually appealing GUI of all the options, I like the nature of the games I get on there, I prefer their escaper handling to that of KGS, and they have my favourite ranking system.

So, it's unanimous.

_________________
- Brady
Want to see videos of low-dan mistakes and what to learn from them? Brady's Blunders

I've used the Japanese client for Tygem, and it's kept a bit more up to date and feels smooth. Another annoyance with the client is that it filters out all conversations not in English (or in the case of Japanese client, all conversation not in Japanese or English).

I would probably use Tygem more if their android client is better. Most of my complaints about their windows client are fairly minor. I think wbaduk is similar to Tygem in most ways (except doesn't filter foreign languages) and has a better Android client where I do a lot of my playing.

IGS: strong competition, beautiful interface
KGS: nice competition, good community
Tygem: incredible competition, nice interface, poor community, love the voice countdown
OGS: nice interface, poor competition, poor community.

I prefer IGS. I will like to prefer Tygem but is so frustrating to lose so many times here. of course, when I win It feels great.

_________________
si no puedes triunfar, muere gloriosamente