How To Play A Gamejolt Game

How to Play a GameJolt Game

Game Jolt is a super cool place where lots of people share the awesome games they’ve made! You can find all sorts of fun stuff, from speedy platformers to spooky adventures. But if you’re new to Game Jolt, it might seem a little tricky to get started. Don’t worry, we’re going to walk through everything step-by-step. It’s easier than you think!

Finding Your Game

The first step in your Game Jolt adventure is finding a game you want to play. Let’s see how to do that:

Navigating the Game Jolt Website

When you go to the Game Jolt website, you will see a bunch of options. Here’s what to look for:

• The Search Bar: At the top of the page, there’s a search bar. You can type in the name of a game if you already know what you want to play.
• Categories: Game Jolt puts games into different categories, like “Action”, “Adventure”, “Puzzle,” “RPG” and “Platformer.” If you’re not sure what to play, browsing the categories can be a great way to find a game you like.
• The Homepage: The homepage often shows off popular games, newly added games, or games that are being featured by the Game Jolt team. This can be a fantastic starting point.
• Tags: Games also have tags, like “pixel art,” “horror,” or “multiplayer.” These help you find a specific type of game that you’re interested in.

Understanding Game Pages

Once you find a game that looks fun, click on it to visit its page. Here’s what you’ll find:

• Game Description: This tells you about the game’s story and what you’ll be doing. Read it to see if the game sounds fun to you.
• Screenshots/Videos: Check out the pictures and videos to get a better idea of what the game looks like.
• Controls: Usually, the game page will tell you what keys to press on your keyboard or controller to play the game.
• Download Buttons: This is where you can get the game! We’ll talk more about downloading in the next part.
• Comments Section: See what other people are saying about the game. This can give you an idea of whether others found it enjoyable.
• Developer Info: You can learn more about the person or group who created the game!

Downloading Games

Now that you’ve picked a game, you need to download it. Game Jolt games don’t always come in one simple way, so here are different situations you might run into.

Understanding Different Download Formats

Game Jolt games come in various formats. Here are the most common:

• .zip Files: These are like folders that contain the game files. You’ll need to “unzip” them (extract the files) before you can play the game.
• .exe Files: These are executable files, meaning they can run the game on Windows computers. Just click them to play.
• .dmg Files: These are disk image files, mainly used for macOS. You have to “mount” them before you can play.
• Web-Based Games: Some games can be played directly in your web browser! You won’t need to download anything for these games.

Downloading a Game Step-by-Step

Here is a step by step guide for download a game on Game Jolt:

1. Click the Download Button: Look for a button that says “Download” or something similar. It might be near the game description or under the screenshots.
2. Choose Your Operating System: Sometimes, you’ll get options for different operating systems, like Windows, macOS, or Linux. Pick the one that works for your computer.
3. Wait for the Download: Let the download complete. This might take a few minutes, depending on the size of the game.

Dealing with .zip Files

If you’ve downloaded a .zip file, you have to extract the files. Here’s how to do it:

• Find the .zip File: It’s usually in your Downloads folder.
• Right-Click: Right-click on the .zip file.
• Choose “Extract All”: Select “Extract All” (or a similar option, depending on your computer).
• Choose a Location: Pick a folder where you want to store the extracted game files. A new folder will be created.
• Open the Extracted Folder: Now, go into that folder. The game files should be there.

Installing and Running a Game

Once you download a game in the appropriate format, follow these steps to install and run it.

• .exe Files: If you have an .exe file, just double-click it to run the game. You don’t usually need to install anything.
• .dmg Files: If you have a .dmg file, double-click it. This will “mount” the disk image. Then you can open the virtual drive that appears and run the game.
• Inside Extracted Folders: If you’ve extracted a .zip, look inside the folder. There might be an .exe file or another file that starts the game.

Important Notes:

• Permissions: Sometimes, your computer might ask for permission to run the game, especially for .exe files. If it’s from a trusted source (like a game you got from Game Jolt), it is usually safe to grant permission.
• Antivirus: Your antivirus program might flag the game. This is normal. If you know that you’ve got the game from a trusted source on Game Jolt, you can usually tell your antivirus to ignore that warning for this particular file, but be extra careful in these situations.

Playing a Web-Based Game

Some Game Jolt games don’t need a download! They play right in your browser.

Starting a Web Game

It’s very simple to begin playing web games.

• Find the “Play in Browser” Button: Usually on the game page, you’ll see a button that says “Play in Browser” or something similar.
• Click the Button: Click the button, and the game will load directly in your browser.

Things to Remember

Here are some important things to remember when playing a browser game:

• Browser Compatibility: Some browser games might only work well with certain web browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari). If the game is having issues, try using a different browser.
• Internet Connection: You’ll need a stable internet connection to play. If your internet is slow or cuts out, the game might have issues.
• Updates: Sometimes, web games will have updates. If the game doesn’t start, it may be good to refresh the browser.

Game Controls

Once your game is running, it’s time to play! Different games use different controls.

Common Control Types

These are the most common ways to control a game on a computer.

• Keyboard: Most games use the keyboard for movement, actions, and menus.
• Mouse: The mouse is often used for aiming, clicking, and navigating.
• Gamepads/Controllers: If you have a game controller, many games support them.

Finding Control Information

This is how to find out what the controls for your game are.

• On the Game Page: The game’s page on Game Jolt should have info on how to play, often under the description section.
• In-Game Instructions: Some games show you the controls at the start of the game or in a menu.
• Experiment: If you can’t find the controls, try pressing different keys on the keyboard or controller to see what they do.

Basic Keyboard Controls

Here are some of the most common keys used in games.

Using a Mouse

Here are some common ways the mouse is used in games.

• Left-Click: Select, shoot, interact
• Right-Click: Sometimes used for actions or to open a menu
• Mouse Movement: Used to aim, look around, or move the character
• Mouse Wheel: Often used for zooming or scrolling

Troubleshooting

Sometimes, things might not go perfectly. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.

Game Not Starting

If your game doesn’t start, try these things.

• Check File Format: Make sure the game’s file format is correct (.exe, etc.). If it is in a .zip format, be sure it is extracted properly.
• Redownload: If something went wrong, try to download the game again.
• Restart Computer: Restarting your computer is a good idea to see if it fixes any issues.

Game Glitches or Bugs

Games sometimes have glitches. It’s normal, especially for newer games.

• Restart Game: Try closing the game and starting it again.
• Update Game: Look to see if there’s an update for the game. Sometimes, an update will fix bugs.
• Contact Developer: If a bug keeps happening, you could leave a comment on the game’s page on Game Jolt. This helps the developer know that there are issues.

Game is Slow

If the game is running slowly, here are some tips.

• Close Other Programs: Other programs running on your computer can slow down the game. Try closing programs and then run the game again.
• Lower Graphics: Some games have options to lower the graphics. This makes the game run faster, but it might not look as nice.
• Check Computer Specs: Some games need very powerful computers to run well. If your computer is not very strong, the game may run slowly.

Game Controls Don’t Work

If the controls don’t seem to work here is what to check.

• Check Control Settings: Look in the game’s menu to see if you can change the controls.
• Try Different Device: If your gamepad isn’t working, try the keyboard instead.
• Restart Game: Sometimes, restarting the game can fix control issues.

A Tip: Try checking the comments section of the game you are playing. Sometimes other players can offer advice about running the game.

Tips for a Great Game Jolt Experience

Here are some tips to make your Game Jolt experience even better:

• Read Game Descriptions: Before you download a game, read the description and comments to see if it sounds like a game you would like.
• Leave Comments: Tell the game developer what you think about the game. This helps them make their games better.
• Explore Different Categories: Try games from different categories. You might find a new favorite!
• Be Respectful: Be respectful to other players and game developers.

Playing games on Game Jolt is an enjoyable experience, and now you have all the knowledge needed to dive right in. Remember to explore, have fun, and maybe even find your new favorite game!