There's a new trend sweeping America's youth- what experts call "gaming" just might be the most popular thing since "Star Wars." "Gamers" are people who play these "video games." But how exactly does one play a "video game?" Read on to find out.

Step 1: Finding Your Game

Before you can play a game, you have to have a system to play it on. Systems will be covered in a future editorial. For now, we'll focus on getting your game.

There are several ways to obtain video games in the year 2012. Rental services* like Gamefly allow gamers to pay a monthly subcription fee to rent unlimited games. You can also buy games new or used* from your local video game retailer. If you have a friend who is a gamer, you can even borrow* a game from him or her!

*Note: Renting, buying used, or borrowing games will not always give you access to all content. Several online features may be locked out unless you input the code included on the online pass bundled in with a new copy of your game. If you lose your online pass, contact customer service. If your online pass has expired, contact customer service. If the code on your online pass is illegible, contact customer service. You can also buy an online pass for $10-$20 online at the online store online.

Step 2: Starting Your Game

Now that you have your game, insert it into your system. You may be prompted to download updates or install your new game. Wait until the updates have finished. This may take a while, so do a few Sudokus in the meantime. When the updates have finished, select the game icon on your home screen. Now, you're ready to enter the World of Gaming.**

**Note: If your game system of choice is the PC, you may be required to stay online at all times while in the World of Gaming. Be sure to maintain a steady online connection at all times, or you WILL be booted from the World of Gaming. If you would like to remain in the World of Gaming on your laptop during a road trip, contact your local ISP and car mechanic, or you WILL be booted from the World of Gaming.

Step 3: Playing Your Game

Now the fun begins! Decide which mode you would like to play in your game. Most games nowadays will include a single-player*** mode and a multi-player**** mode. Jump in and get ready to play! A well-designed game will teach you the basics, but if you get stuck, take a look at the instruction manual.***** Happy gaming!******

***Note: In order to access retailer-exclusive game content, be sure to have bought your game at the right store. Before having bought your game, you should have gone online to see which store you wanted to buy your game at in order to decide which retailer-exclusive content you would prefer to play. You may also need to go back in time and preorder your game of choice in order to access preorder-exclusive content. Some games will require you to clear the game before accessing the retailer-exclusive and/or preorder-exclusive content. Be sure to beat the game on a high enough difficulty, or you will be asked to beat the game again in order to access the retailer-exclsuive and/or preorder-exclusive content.

****Note: If your gaming system of choice is the Xbox 360, be sure to sign up for an Xbox Live Gold account, or you will be unable to play online with others. Certain games may also require you to sign up for a separate online account and buy downloadable content in order to get the full game experience.

*****Note: Instruction manuals may not be physically included with your game. If this is the case, go online to the game marketplace of your respective system and download the intruction manual. Be sure to have input the code on your online pass, or you will not have access to the instruction manual.

******Note: If you begin to feel too happy, take a break.

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Should have covered systems first, I just used your tutorial to get a game and I don't understand where I'm supposed to put it.

Posted by

Zero

on: 01/28/12, 02:42

@Zero

Someone needs to make a prequel editorial to this one stat!

Posted by

Abdooooo

on: 01/28/12, 17:45

I got stuck on Step 2. :(

Little help?

Posted by

Anand

on: 01/28/12, 19:09

Which step am I supposed to blow into the cartridge?

Posted by

PogueSquadron

on: 01/28/12, 22:24

@Anand Well, I've seen your game collection, so I know what the problem is. He forgot to mention that you have to remove the shrink wrap first.

Posted by

Zero

on: 01/28/12, 23:07

Anand said:

I got stuck on Step 2. :(

Little help?

Haha, I get it..

Posted by

Mr_Mustache

on: 01/29/12, 01:04

At what point do I sacrifice a virgin to please my dark god?

Posted by

chrisbg99

on: 01/29/12, 01:32

I somehow missed the step telling me to click this thread. Should I panic?

Posted by

VofEscaflowne

on: 01/29/12, 01:33

@chrisbg99

You only have to do that if you want the exclusive weapon pack.

Posted by

Secret_Tunnel

on: 01/29/12, 03:38

@Zero
But... then they'll be soiled.

Posted by

Anand

on: 01/29/12, 06:29

Secret_Tunnel said:

Be sure to beat the game on a high enough difficulty, or you will be asked to beat the game again in order to access the retailer-exclsuive and/or preorder-exclusive content.

Have games actually done this? I've never heard of pre-order content that you need to beat the game in order to unlock. That's ridiculous.

Posted by

X-pert74

on: 01/29/12, 08:25

@X-pert74

In Arkham City you can't use your unlockable Batman skins until you beat the game on a high enough difficulty. So if you beat the game on easy, screw you, play through the whole thing again.

Posted by

Secret_Tunnel

on: 01/29/12, 19:46

PogueSquadron said:

Which step am I supposed to blow into the cartridge?

HAHAHAHA love it

Secret_Tunnel said:

@X-pert74

In Arkham City you can't use your unlockable Batman skins until you beat the game on a high enough difficulty. So if you beat the game on easy, screw you, play through the whole thing again.

really i have finished the game on easy every riddle everyside quest and u tell me that i still gotta beat it on hard to use the skin

Posted by

slayermonkey2197

on: 01/29/12, 20:18

@Secret_Tunnel What good reason is there to do that? What the fuck was Rocksteady thinking?

Posted by

X-pert74

on: 01/29/12, 22:28

@X-pert74

A code was revealed recently that lets you use whatever skin you want in the story.

@Secret_Tunnel
@slayermonkey2197

No sympathy for gamers who play on easy!

Posted by

Stephen

on: 01/29/12, 23:00

Edited:

01/30/12, 09:53

Awesome editorial.

Posted by

Guillaume

on: 01/30/12, 06:03

@Stephen Well, that seems interesting. Does that include skins that the player has not downloaded to their system, therefore bypassing the need for any preorder DLC?

Posted by

X-pert74

on: 01/30/12, 10:08

@X-pert74

No you still need to own the skin but they released them all in a pack last month. You can get them standalone or bundled with the Robin/Nightwing DLC packs for a better price. There's also a free skin available for download (Batman Inc.).

Posted by

Stephen

on: 01/30/12, 10:10

My credit card got stuck in the Wii disc slot

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 01/30/12, 18:50

Secret_Tunnel said:

***Note: In order to access retailer-exclusive game content, be sure to have bought your game at the right store. Before having bought your game, you should have gone online to see which store you wanted to buy your game at in order to decide which retailer-exclusive content you would prefer to play. You may also need to go back in time and preorder your game of choice in order to access preorder-exclusive content.

Had to chuckle because I've used that line. You see I had got a Gamestop exclusive preorder bonus weapon (an M60 LMG) for Medal of Honor. For months - strike that, well over a year after the games release in the MoH forums I saw thread after thread of people whining about not being able to use that exclusive weapon. Still other threads were innocently asking how it was unlocked.

Once feeling sarcastic I responded that step one would be to build a time machine and step two was travel back in time to before the game's release. Step three would be to preorder from their local Gamestop.

Posted by

Robknoxious1

on: 01/30/12, 21:26

Edited:

01/30/12, 21:27