How do I Login / Logout?

The menu along the top has a [Log In] and [Log Out] link.

How do I check Mail?

On top of the screen click on "# new" next to an envelope to open your inbox.

How do I ask for help?

If you want to help with a series or game, go to its page and post a message to the Help forum. If it is about Video Game Geek, ask in the How To VGG forum.

How do I find my Legend Of Zelda Ocarina Of Time game in the database?

Use the "All" Search and type: "Legend Of Zelda Ocarina Of Time" and click Go.

Why is my search showing more than one match and / or games with other names?

Over the years, multiple different games may have been released with the same name. Similarly, some games are known by a different name in different regions or are re-released with a different name.

What is the difference between a platform and hardware?

A platform is a general category for a type of game system (e.g. "Windows" or "PlayStation 2")

Hardware are the list of separate machine configurations that can play games of a given platform (e.g. "PlayStation 2 Original", "PlayStation 2 Slimline", ...)

Some platforms may only contain a single hardware console, while others may have many varying by region-coding and features. Hardware also refers to accessories that are available to use with a system, such as controllers.

What is the difference between hardware and a hardware version?

When multiple versions of a hardware item are released, such as different models in different countries or regions, or visible changes in the functionality such as larger hard drives, these versions are all considered part of a single hardware item. Hardware versions can be browsed or created from the hardware page.
(Note: Hardware version functionality is not yet fully implemented; this should be corrected soon.)

What is the difference between a series and a franchise?

A series is a collection of games (usually sequential) that share the same 'universe', gameplay mechanic and possibly storyline.

A franchise is a universe or theme that covers more than a single series of games.

For example:

The "Super Mario" franchise includes the "Mario Party" series, the "Mario Kart" series, the "Dr. Mario" series, ...

The "Star Wars" franchise includes the "Star Wars: X-Wing" series, the "LEGO Star Wars" series, some stand-alone titles that aren't part of any series at all, ...

What is the difference between a release and a video game?

A release is the equivalent of one boxed version in a shop. These may be different for each platform and territory, and even a single platform / territory may have had multiple releases over the years (budget versions, platinum boxsets, etc.).

A video game may have multiple releases, for example a "US PS3 edition", a "German PS3 edition", a "US XBox 360 edition", a "US XBox 360 Platinum edition", ...

What is the difference between a genre and a theme?

A genre refers to a type of game and the style of gameplay it best fits (e.g. "RPG" or "Fighting").

A theme refers to the setting, story, or ideas within a game (e.g "Fantasy" or "Western"). Individual sports are listed as themes.

How do I add a game to my collection?

Go to the Video Game item page you want, and on the User Information box select Add a Copy to my Collection. You can also choose which specific release you own here.

What do game ratings mean?

Each user is encouraged to rate games based on their own opinion of the game. As such, different users may have different philosophies about rating, but in general, the recommended rating system is as follows:

10 - Outstanding
9 - Excellent
8 - Very good
7 - Good
6 - Above average
5 - Average
4 - Below average
3 - Well below average
2 - Poor
1 - Horrible

How do I rate a game?

From the Video Game item page, go to the User Information section and click on Record Information click on the Rating box and add a number from 1 to 10. You do not have to own a game to rate it.

How do I add a game that seems to be missing from the database?

From the Misc tab in the title bar at the top of every page, click Create : Video Game. Please see the Data Entry Guide for more details.

How do I add a missing release to an existing game?

On the Video Game item page, go to the Releases section and click Add Version. Please see the Data Entry Guide for more details.

I found an error on a game, how do I correct it?

On the Video Game item page, click on the Submit Corrections link and make the corrections. Make use of the "Note to Admin" field to help the admin understand your correction.

I found an error on a release, how do I correct it?

On the Video Game item page, click on the Corrections link for the release in question.

How do I post a new box cover or screenshot of a game?

From the Video Game item page, go to the Images section and click Upload. Please ensure you follow the Image Policy Guide.

I'm confused - can you show me how it should be done?

The Data Entry Guide contains some pointers to some Example Franchises and Series which should help you see how data should be entered.

A game has been announced but isn't yet released. How can I add it to the database?

You can, and you should add as much info as you can find. However, be prepared that the game might not be accepted or be held pending if not enough information is included. The following rules apply to unreleased items:

• No images allowed; A placeholder image will be added by an admin
• A banner on the description in red saying "UNRELEASED GAME" is required. Do this using ##red|UNRELEASED GAME##
• Only submit versions that are CONFIRMED by the publisher. Include a link to an official press release in the admin notes of your submission.

I submitted a correction / addition, but I don't see it yet. Where is it?

Corrections and additions have to go through a verification process before going live. This process may take a week, or even more. Links to the current pending queues for these items can be found here. If your submission has been pending for a long time, you can contact any of the Admins listed here.

How can I post a review of a game?

On the Video Game item page, go to the Forums section and click Post, selecting the kind of post you want to make. Reviews will be moderated (see GeekMod below) before appearing in the database.

How can I post a game guide for a particular game?

On the Video Game item page, go to the Files section and click Upload File. Alternatively, use VGG's new Walkthrough system to add a guide in a more flexible manner.

Can I add game guides I found on other sites?

Not unless you have written permission from the original author, no.

How do I link to other websites?

You can use the weblinks feature to link to other site pages. Those again are admin checked, and only meaningful links are accepted. In case of FAQSGuides don't ink to the individual guide, but to the page holding all the Guides of the site.

How much do I have to submit to get a contributor's microbadge?

Microbadges are awarded based on the addition of new content to the site. Using a score which is equal to "#Franchises + #Series + #Videogames + (#Releases / 4)", microbadge awards are given at these levels:

- Copper VGG Uploader - 10 points
- Silver VGG Uploader - 100 points
- Gold VGG Uploader - 250 points
- Platinum VGG Uploader - 500 points
- Herculean VGG Uploader - 750 points

I have a question about a game. Where do I post it?

If the game is in our database, go to the Video Game item page and in the Forums section, click Post and select the relevant forum.

How do I get an avatar?

An avatar on the forums costs 30 geek gold to unlock. After that you can change it at will.

What are the icons under the avatar of some users?

Those are the microbadges. You can have as many as you want but can only show 5 at a time. Each costs 8 Geek Gold and can be bought here.

What is this about Geek Gold?

Geek Gold is the virtual currency used on the site. You can use it to tip contributions, buy an avatar, microbages and other things.

How do I get Geek Gold?

When you contribute to Video Game Geek, every dollar given is a GG you get. Besides that contributing content to the database earns geekgold. Creating reviews, adding images, sending files, all those things earn GG to you.

I found a great post, how can I show my appreciation?

The first way to mark a post as something you liked is by Thumbing it Up. Below the avatar of the user who posted, on the left of the post. Click on the green thumb to Thumb Up. If you want to remove a thumb just click on the now gray thumb. Another way is by tipping the post with some GG. Just click on the golden coin and select the amount you want to give the person.

What is GeekMod?

GeekMod is a system where users, instead of admins, decide whether uploaded images, reviews or session reports should be accepted or declined. To help with "geekmodding" from the Misc tab in the title bar at the top of any page, click GeekMod. Helping with GeekMod is one way to earn Geek Gold.

Where do I find games to buy / Can I sell used games here?

Go to the Marketplace to find games to buy from other users or put one of yours to sell. The VGG User Guide has more info on Buying and Selling.

What is Geekdo?

Geekdo is a series of database-based communities, currently consisting of three main databases: board games, role playing games and video games. They share the domain name "geekdo".

How are Boardgamegeek, RPGGeek, and Videogamegeek related?

All the Geekdo sites run on the same backend, but when you are visiting VGG you will not see most the forum posts or item entries from the other sites. However, user accounts pan over all Geekdo sites. As a user registered on one Geekdo site your account can be used on all, and any GeekGold earned can be used regardless of site. To visit BGG or RPGG simply click the links at the top of every page.

I love Video Game Geek / Geekdo and want to donate, how do I do it?

Thanks for the appreciation! You can donate to Video Game Geek on this page.

What do I get by donating?

Every dollar you donate earns you 1 geek gold. Besides that, if you donate at least 15 dollars you get a patron badge, an icon under your name saying that you donated to that year. If you donate at least 25 dollars you get the opition to control which ads you will view.

Which platforms used region-locking?

The list below is a good guide. Entering a region-lock for platforms other than these is likely to be wrong, although some games on the platforms below may not be region-locked:

• Dreamcast
• GameCube
• Genesis
• Lynx
• NES
• Nintendo 3DS
• Nintendo 64
• Nintendo DSi
• PlayStation
• PlayStation 2
• Sega 32X
• Sega CD
• Sega Saturn
• SNES
• TurboGrafx-16
• Wii
• Xbox
• Xbox 360

What rating systems have countries used over the years?

The chart below is a good guide. If you own a game whose rating isn't listed for your country, it might be that you own an import.

[1] - VRC ratings were used in 1993 for Sega Genesis, Game Gear and CD titles in the US
[2] - Not sure when this rating started

What media types are supported by the various platforms?

The chart below is a good guide: