INTRODUCTION
This guide will help you to setup your PC, download necessary softwares to run a 'free downloadable' games, how to open those files, how to crack the game, and many other information you will need to join the 'pirates' of the underworld.
This guide will also be divided into several guides to make them easier for people to choose which guide is applicable to them, so people don't have to read it all just to get to the section they need.
REQUIREMENTS
This guide will help you to setup your PC, download necessary softwares to run a 'free downloadable' games, how to open those files, how to crack the game, and many other information you will need to join the 'pirates' of the underworld.
This guide will also be divided into several guides to make them easier for people to choose which guide is applicable to them, so people don't have to read it all just to get to the section they need.
REQUIREMENTS
- Basic computer knowledge and skills
- Basic Windows knowlege and skills
- Internet skills
- Willingness to learn
Where can you get free downloadable games?
These below are where you can get the games for free, including all the information you need before moving on to guide 2: How to setup your PC to run these games.
1. TORRENT
What is a torrent?
Torrent is a peer to peer application. A person uploads their files to a torrent site to share it with other people, and others who has download the files shares it again with another and so on.
Q n A
1. Is it safe to download?
Yes and no, you have to be smart and choose a torrent site that has a comment section. Read the comments before downloading.
Some naughty uploaders upload fake games or games ridden with malware.
But take note that the games in torrent sites are cracked, so your antivirus might flare a hacktool/AAA trojan warning. This is a false positive.
Consider this: a crack is a file that hacks to bypass a game security, so isn't that a hacktool?
2. What is a scene group?
A scene group is a group of crackers. Famous scene groups are: Skidrow, reloaded, codex, 3DM, Fairlight, Prophet
3. What is a repack?
A repack is a game version which all game files has been compressed or packed into an installer. Most repack are easy to install since you only need to click the unpacker/installer and the game has already been cracked. But some repack removes some files which the repacker deem unnecessary such as other languages files. Also the quality of cinematics might be reduced. Read the main description carefully. Look for repack that do not remove anything if you want a complete file.
Also take note although repacks are easy to install, it might take up to 6 hours of installation on older PC.
Repacks also have a smaller amount of download for slower internet speed.
So choose what's best for you.
Famous repackers are: RG Gamers (Russian repackers, always have russian or english only language files), NOSTeam, RG Steam (Russian repackers too)
4. Are those games uploaded there owned by the uploader?
Yes and no. Very little people actually own the original and upload it online. Most are just repacks/ reuploaded by others.
5. What is retail version?
Retail version is a game which files are exactly like in the original version.
6. What is blackbox version?
Blackbox version is a version without complete content/feature.
7. What is beta, alpha, crack?
Alpha crack is an early release crack, Beta crack is a crack released after some testings but still unstable. Look for final crack, without the beta or alpha on the title, it is much stable and easier for newbie.
8. Should i register in the community?
Yes, it is better if you do. Because as anonymous, you most likely will not get far. Join the community. Good community you can try is Kickass Torrent. It is also my favorite torrent site. The comment system here is easier for newbie to differentiate fakes to real torrents.
9. What is seeders what is peers?
Seeders are people in your swarm (group of people) who has finished downloading and now are sharing their files with others. Peers are the people still in progress of downloading all the files.
10. How long should i seed the files?
It is proper to seed until you got a 1:1 ratio. Meaning you have got the files from others, you pass them on to another person too. Don't just leech and leave.
These below are where you can get the games for free, including all the information you need before moving on to guide 2: How to setup your PC to run these games.
1. TORRENT
What is a torrent?
Torrent is a peer to peer application. A person uploads their files to a torrent site to share it with other people, and others who has download the files shares it again with another and so on.
Q n A
1. Is it safe to download?
Yes and no, you have to be smart and choose a torrent site that has a comment section. Read the comments before downloading.
Some naughty uploaders upload fake games or games ridden with malware.
But take note that the games in torrent sites are cracked, so your antivirus might flare a hacktool/AAA trojan warning. This is a false positive.
Consider this: a crack is a file that hacks to bypass a game security, so isn't that a hacktool?
2. What is a scene group?
A scene group is a group of crackers. Famous scene groups are: Skidrow, reloaded, codex, 3DM, Fairlight, Prophet
3. What is a repack?
A repack is a game version which all game files has been compressed or packed into an installer. Most repack are easy to install since you only need to click the unpacker/installer and the game has already been cracked. But some repack removes some files which the repacker deem unnecessary such as other languages files. Also the quality of cinematics might be reduced. Read the main description carefully. Look for repack that do not remove anything if you want a complete file.
Also take note although repacks are easy to install, it might take up to 6 hours of installation on older PC.
Repacks also have a smaller amount of download for slower internet speed.
So choose what's best for you.
Famous repackers are: RG Gamers (Russian repackers, always have russian or english only language files), NOSTeam, RG Steam (Russian repackers too)
4. Are those games uploaded there owned by the uploader?
Yes and no. Very little people actually own the original and upload it online. Most are just repacks/ reuploaded by others.
5. What is retail version?
Retail version is a game which files are exactly like in the original version.
6. What is blackbox version?
Blackbox version is a version without complete content/feature.
7. What is beta, alpha, crack?
Alpha crack is an early release crack, Beta crack is a crack released after some testings but still unstable. Look for final crack, without the beta or alpha on the title, it is much stable and easier for newbie.
8. Should i register in the community?
Yes, it is better if you do. Because as anonymous, you most likely will not get far. Join the community. Good community you can try is Kickass Torrent. It is also my favorite torrent site. The comment system here is easier for newbie to differentiate fakes to real torrents.
9. What is seeders what is peers?
Seeders are people in your swarm (group of people) who has finished downloading and now are sharing their files with others. Peers are the people still in progress of downloading all the files.
10. How long should i seed the files?
It is proper to seed until you got a 1:1 ratio. Meaning you have got the files from others, you pass them on to another person too. Don't just leech and leave.
2. FREE DOWNLOADABLE FORUM
These forums has lots collection of games, but mostly they are well known for their Hidden Object Games collection. Although they also have other genres.
These forums are private websites on a private domain. The owner of these forums are helped by people who maintain the site called The moderators and the admins. These mods and admins are not paid for their work and services.
They use 3rd party file hosting servers such as lettibit, deposit files, etc. to keep their games files.
Famous forums:
Allsmartgames, LEEGT, Wendy, Patriot Games
Q n A
1. How to download?
Most forums require people to register, some also require you to reply to the thread first before you can see the download link. Read the forum rules first, every forum has different rules.
They do not host any game files on their website, instead they just post the link to a 3rd party file hosting server.
You can then just open the link in your browser and download.
2. Is it safe?
Mostly they are safer than torrents, but just in case always run your antivirus after downloading.
They also like to pack the games into a 1click installer. These files are safer because the mods have make sure they are virus free before packing them into their installer.
3. Are these original games people owned and share with others?
Yes and no. Most are just games they download from others on the internet and reshare with others.
4. Should i share my games too?
It is common courtesy to participate when you join the community. Just leeching off will get noticed by the mods in these forums.
And if you get banned permanently you will never be able to get back in unless you change your ip address.
5. Why they ask for donations?
These domains are not free, think of websites as buildings and domains as ground area. The owner of the site must pay 'rent' for using the domain and building their 'community center' on top of it.
If they don't pay the 'rent', they will be kicked out and the 'center' demolished. Then the people using said 'center' must disperse and find someplace else to hangout and download.
So if you feel like you like the community, consider donating to help pay 'the rent'.
3. ABANDONWARES
Abandonware sites host games that were made in 1980 to early 2000. These are classic games, which point and click adventure games were famous in the 90s.
Some of those classics are even still nice and playable now in 2014. Some has voiceovers and are compatible with windows. At least it runs well in my window xp sp3.
Q n A
1. what is abandonware?
Abandonware is a term for a game that was released so long ago it is considered abandoned by the developers. While in truth, there are no such a thing as 'abandoned games so ancient you can get for free'.The devs still hold copyright claims and still get revenues for sales of those games if any.
Some classic games like police quests 4, kings quests 8, quest for glory 5,etc, are still sold digitally even when it is considered as 'abandonware'.
2. Are they safe?
Most abandonware sites let you download directly without 3rd party servers. Cool, huh? So yes they are safe. But just to make sure, always run your antivirus on downloaded files.
They can do this because most of the non voiceover games are very small in size. Some goes as small as 10mb. It makes you wonder how can a 10mb file contain anything compared to the 20gb games nowadays.
3. Why they ask for donations?
Every private website needs to pay for their domain, just like i explained before in free downloadable forums q n a section. They cannot legally ask people to pay for the games downloaded but actually they do need some little money to maintain the site.
4. How can i download the games?
Always read the how to, every site has different ways and rules on how to be able to download. Some requires registration, some lets you grab directly into the cookie jar for free.
4. INDIE WEBSITES
Indie websites has many games in development or finished games that people can download for free. You might be surprised by how good their games are.
A popular site i like is AGS. If you like adventure games, such as the classic point and click adventure game, you should consider coming here.
They have many nice finished games in their showcase. Some really good ones even have full voice overs.
AGS is a free adventure game engine that you too can download and try making your own adventure game!
Famous other indie sites:
- Phoenix Online (now a game dev studio): known for: King Quest series remake enhanced, Quest for glory 2 remake, King Quest (new adventure): The silver lining, fully voiced.
The silver lining were made by fans coordinated with the creator of King Quests. These games are free.
- Scummvm Games
Scummvm is a software that let you play classic vga games on modern PC with good rendering graphics.
They have a good list of games already converted to fully run on scummvm software on their official website.
Q n A
1. Are they safe and legit?
The games are 100percent legitimate and legal for you to download. They are also safe and malware free. If in doubt always scan everything you downloaded from the internet.
2. Are they completely free?
90percent of the games are free. Some are retailed but shown there to show others that good, retail quality games can be made with AGS if you have the skills.
Scummvm games are all free.
5. Free MMORPG
There are many mass multiplayer online RPG that are free to download and free to play. The only thing they sell are the in-game items. And it is not a must. Finding rare quality items might be more difficult in this type of mmo, but as long you are patient and do not really care to have the most powerful cool items, you are good.
There are so many these type of mmo that you can google: free to play online mmorpg
My favorite was: Conquer online
Q n A
1. How to play?
For these type of mmorpg, you can go straight to their official website to download. You will need to register.
Do not download from other source, it is not necessary.
6. BROWSER GAMES
Many browser type flash games are free to play. Although they are more considered as mini games just to pass the time, it is a good game if you are in the office, has finished all your job and got nothing else to do.
They are short and easy to load and play.
I don't really play them so i cannot refer you to any good sites, but you can try googling: browser games/browser based games/flash games
Facebook games are another example of browser based games/ flash games.