I just found this site, and I'm already lost. Maybe I'm just too old, or my two boys have just sucked all the brain cells right out of my head!

I'm excited to play some of the games I remember from years ago, but I've looked at some of the messages under some of the games I like and I may just be too dumb! There was talk of moving files and such.

I'm use to the "good ol' days" when you just stuck in a floppy (or even a cassette on my old Vic 20!) and waited forever to play your game! Ok, for the last 20+ years they have all used CDs, but other than some HTML, I'm pretty computer illiterate.

Not sure if this is even the right place to post this?!!? Anyone have any advice?

Welcome to GOG. Do you have any questions?

For most of the games sold here, it goes like this:
1. Make your purchase
2. Download the installer from your virtual game shelf
3. Locate the installer and execute it
4. Choose the path where to install
5. Optional: Let the installer create a shortcut
6. Play.

It's easy :)

welcome & wow another Vic 20 user :) (I was starting to think we were like "hen's teeth")

I wish I could help but the issue is to vague, sorry

Hi there and welcome to gog. First of all no one is dumb, you just have to get used to the forums ;)
Always nice to see some old school gamers that want to relive their old childhood memories a bit (some call it mid life crisis :p) But don't worry about it too much, if you have any question (unless it's very game specific), you can post right here and I'm sure there are people that will help you right away ;)

For more info about basics of this site, please check out the two stickies in general discussions. (I will link you to them anyway).
http://www.gog.com/forum/general/introducing_the_beta_release_of_the_new_gogcom_downloader/page1
http://www.gog.com/forum/general/community_stickies_compendium_2_0/page1

As DProject described, it actually is easy. You don't even need any download manager or client or other stuff. A download manager might help with the bigger files, but you can just download everything via your normal browser. Especially the old games are small and quickly downloaded. Then just execute the setup, allow installation (Windows will probably ask for permission) and you're done. You'll find your game shortcut either on your desktop (if you choose to do so during installation) or in your start menu. (Or the equivalent, whatever that is, if you use Win8.x)

No need to "move files". You probably saw a discussion about modifications, some random people having provided files for an old game to display more modern graphics that it did originally. But this is very optionnal.

As been said, the standard procedure is : download the game, install it, and play it. There should be no problem with that. It's two or three clicks, all "OK" buttons.

(1)
Welcome, kids tend to do that.
My mother always said that with every child you have you get progressively stupider. So it is nothing to be ashamed of, it was a well known fact back in the late 70's.
Anyway, the GOG forums are a relative safe haven of self-regulation and helpful individuals.

(2)
DProject has it down with his post When you see people mentioning extra files and downloads it is normally something from a game is not quite as it was in a certain version, or to make a game run on certain operating systems (mostly non-Windows systems, such as Mac, or Linux).
If you do ever get stuck with getting a game to run, the most likely games being Interstate '78, Gorky17 or Splinter Cell. There are ways of making them run and people will happily help out in the relevant forums to those games, or even here on the main forum if you cannot get help in the subs.
I have 500+ games and I can safely say that out of the 400+ I have actually play-tested on my machines to make sure they work I have only had problems getting a handful of games to work as I had hoped, and after a little to moderate work (there are plenty of helpful work abouts for most games) they can always be gotten to play even if you have to make the odd compromise - a real issue of legacy gaming.

(3) There are 2 sticky threads that you can read to see where and how to post of the forums and even a few helpful hints.

Again, welcome to GOG, I, we can only hope you have fun here on the forums and with playing any games you may purchase.


EDIT ::
Should you ever find that you cannot get a game working with help from the forums there is always GOG support - http://www.gog.com/support/contact - who will also try and help, and if they cannot fix the problem and you contacted them within 30 days then you can always apply to have a refund on the game for being broken. I have never used it, but it is there if you really need it.

Read the first line
Hi and welcome to GOG.

This is bullshit:
Most of the games on here have mods, predominantly created by gamers for gamers. The essential mods are normally already patched and are included with the download. However, you may find some others under the specific games forum. These are purely optional but worth having a look. In some cases, you need some jiggery pokery to install them and should you have any problems, just post it on here and you'll get plenty of help.

This isn't bullshit
Happy DRM free gaming

1. I think "most of the games" is something of an exaggeration. Out of the 700+ games in the catalog, I doubt that more than 350 of them have been modded.

2. I don't think more than a handful (if any) of GOG games come with any mods pre-installed. To the best of my knowledge, GOG always goes for making the experience as close to the original as possible. Hence, no mods. Also, I don't think they can legally distribute user-made mods along with the games without some sort of special agreement.

don8life
Hello, I live here! :P

Seriously, I come here for all my game help be it tech or gameplay. If it wasn't for this place I never would have been introduced to titles like Settlers, IceWind, Flatout, or countless others.

If you need ANY HELP come here.

Here are some useful Youtube videos if you still are confused.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0PWVnFmlR8&list=PL20C65EBEFE6CB109

Welcome to GOG.

Thanks - I've made a few subtle changes to my previous post in this thread.

You're good at subtle ;-)

(extra points for catching the reference)