Why I Intentionally Slow my Game Download Speed

In this tutorial, I’ll quickly explain how to throttle bandwidth in popular apps like Google Chrome, Steam, and Xbox Game Pass. Most folks just want to download games and videos as fast as possible. However, if you are on a network that contains home devices, background apps, streaming services, and multiple people, this can slow everything down. I’ll share a few quick tricks to throttling bandwidth using a few settings in your Google… Read the rest

Stardew Valley Beginner’s Guide – Everything You Need to Know

This article is my Stardew Valley Beginner’s Guide. Along with some quick beginner tips on the game, unravel the narrative a bit, and in the process, let me share some helpful lessons learned from playing the game. Whether you’re just starting out, or returning to the game, I’ll show you how life in Stardew Valley pans out from parsnips to stardrops. So, without further ado, buckle your overalls, because we’re headed to the… Read the rest

Easy Way to Install Cheat Engine for Astroneer & Other Games

Cheat Engine is a utility that allows loading “cheat tables” for personal use in offline gameplay for games that don’t have integrated cheat codes. If you’re nostalgic like me, think “Game Genie.” Using mods and cheat tools is not unethical or lazy and you should have no insecurity about wanting to use them! I’ll show you the best way to install Cheat Engine safely so you can experiment with this fun program too.… Read the rest

How to Install & Launch SMAPI in Steam for Stardew Valley

I’ll show you how to install and launch SMAPI in Steam for Stardew Valley as well as a few other tricks like installing a cheat code mod. SMAPI and its compatible mods not only make the game have longer replayability but actually can save you a ton of time if you’re a casual player. Using mods is a great way to make the best use of your playtime. So, let’s jump right in… Read the rest

You Should At Least Try Xbox Game Pass, Despite its Monolithic Overtones

In this article, I’ll show you how to get Xbox Game Pass on PC. If you thought that Xbox Game Pass was a console-only service, it’s actually available on Windows PCs too! I’ve been using Xbox Game Pass on PC for about a year now. Although I’ve paused my account a few times, it has been one of my top resources. Xbox Game Pass is a service from Microsoft’s Xbox that makes available… Read the rest

Why Are Indie Games Popular Now? – The Truth

First of all, indie games are my favorite “genre.” I think this is an important cultural phenomenon–and also a fun one–but for argument, let’s scrutinize it. So, indie games usually have fewer details, less polished graphics, and are often focused on the simpler things, so why are indie games popular now? And additionally, I might even ask, are they? I’ve been playing and writing about indie games for a couple of years now… Read the rest

How to Find Free Games on Steam

This is a tutorial on how to find and download free games on Steam. If you’re familiar with the Steam client store or website, you might know the layout can be incredibly open-ended. I use it every day, and it is one of my most useful resources. This allows for some exploration of methods to filter new games posted. Steam is considered one of the most essential clients for finding new game releases… Read the rest

JoyToKey and How I Use It To Keybind Controllers for Gaming

This article is about how to keybind your game controller with JoytoKey to play games that require various keyboard keys to play. I use this with browser games on Itch.IO, if there is no native controller support. A lot of platformers and games on Itch.IO and Steam use a keyboard and mouse, but generally, I prefer controller support. Keybinding is a useful ability that can allow you to play more responsively, or even… Read the rest

Starbound – Completing the First Planet (Quick Guide)

In Starbound, you use Terraria-style mining mechanics to collect materials and progress through the galaxy. This game was released in 2016. It has had some resurgence thanks to a re-release of the game on the invaluable Xbox PC Game Pass platform. I figured since I didn’t find immediate coverage of my own questions, new players may be wondering how to progress in this game. The game takes place in outer space. It has… Read the rest

Here is my Quick & Dirty Nintendo Screenshot Transfer Guide For Those Who Want to Know

The ability to transfer screenshots from the Nintendo Switch can be ironically confusing with all the support for social media the console has. There are a lot of content creators out there, and when it comes to finding media, which is one reason these Switch screenshots can be almost crucial. Most devices with USB capability have almost complicit plug-and-play, the Nintendo Switch mostly does too–almost. In this brief tutorial, I’ll tell you how… Read the rest

How to Write Game Reviews

So you want to know how to write game reviews? As I glide through a tremendous Steam list full of unique reviews, it’s actually pretty awesome that gamers are getting involved and writing thoughtful reviews even though some are, not inaccurately, candid. Praising reviews and critical reviews both serve a purpose. Even a 5-word sentence that reads something like “Just spins me around infinitely” is actually helpful, because if the game costs $20,… Read the rest

Browsing ItchIO Games is The Best Way to Find New & Interesting Indies

Welcome to my quick guide and intro to downloading an ItchIO Game, and what the advantages of the ItchIO platform are for indie gamers. When I first started this site I really had a rather limited knowledge about indie games or where to find them. A college friend once scolded me for investing so much time into video games, when I could, as he put it, make a game! I didn’t realize that… Read the rest

Nintendo Switch Review: Is it Worth It?

I read a headline today that said that, this holiday season, the Nintendo Switch outsold XBox and Playstation 4-1. The Switch is a nice candidate for such a purchase, since it is about $200 cheaper than the next gen console alternatives, but there are some other advantages as well besides price. Recently, I talked about how the Wii U made me re-enter the world of gaming and this site earlier this year. What… Read the rest