Can you still play online even if your gamespy account is the limited free account?

ive downloaded the gamespy arcade but every time i try to play crusader w/my friend, it doesnt seem to work/connect/etc. or even acknowledge that ive conected with someone. so do i still get the ability to play online w/ the free GAmespy?

This is probably different, but http://www.xivio.com is free to play and there is NO download to play, with unlimited play time. Has virtual world money, items to trade, and sell in world, with other members.

The stronghold crusader community has recently moved to another client. Check out http://www.IGZones.com ;-)

I would hate to ask this, but how did you get a free Gamespy?

I've been trying to get onto Crysis, and it says I need a Gamespy account, but I can never find a place to get it for free. That being the case, any gamespy account should allow you to play online, elsewise they would have to advertise as such.