I'm sure that this question has already been asked and answered somewhere on the forum, but it's extremely hard to navigate and find the exact question since I haven't noticed any topic subheadings. Also, the search bar at the bottom just searches google, not the forums. So you can imagine why I'm asking the question instead of just poring over the forums looking for it.

Anyway, my question is: How do you play games you've downloaded off the site?

Of course, I'm new here. And I don't have much experience with coding or programs and such. Therefore, when I downloaded a game (specifically Avast Ye Mateys), I just tried opening the file. With notepad. I'm sure that's amusing to anyone who actually knows what they're doing.

So can someone please explain to me the process of opening the game and making it playable?

Much obliged.

Cheers

I think you need to download the Quest Interpreter, too.
Download Quest: http://textadventures.co.uk/quest

Download MY Favorite Game(lol): http://textadventures.co.uk/games/view/iv6rcktu7eoajru0m9is5q/xanadu-the-worlds-only-hope-part-2-revenge

Find the save file and double click it. It will open the game using the Quest Interpreter (or at least I think it's called an interpreter).

It's been a while since I did this myself, but I think this is how I did it. Maybe?

You download the interpreter like XanMag describes then you either search for games within that (which aren't searchable by name, only through best of lists, unfortunately) or you go to the online page of a game you want to play offline, download it then double clicking it will open the interpreter.

The downloaded file will (or may, or most likely will be) a .zip file...
Windows can unzip that to a folder with the same name.
Then click on the .Quest file, usually called Game.quest, or Game.Alsx...
OR... (don't you just love multiple choice answers???!!!)
open Quest, and load the game from it's folder...

the 'xxx.quest' file is for the server/networking (online/web/browser usage), --- (not sure if it's then converted back into a 'xxx.aslx' file for the server's 'quest.exe' to run, or if the server has a different 'quest.exe' from what the public uses, that runs 'xxx.quest' files directly)

the 'xxx.aslx' file is for the client's (us normal users) 'quest.exe' (off-line/desktop usage)

and as is somewhat made known publically (for good or worse), the 'xxx.quest' file can be unzipped, to get at the 'xxx.aslx' files.

so, if you want your game code to be protected... you've got to do encryption/encoding/decoding, and create your own quest engine and its code, which you keep private (non-open source), and then a publically usable 'modified/your-engine quest.exe'

or you get a lawyer and go after anyone using your code (as they're stealing your intellectual property): "just because you don't lock your door, doesn't mean you've given consent to enter/use your property, and thus it's still criminal tresspassing/breaking-and-entering, whether you lock the door or not"

The .aslx file is for creating a game. .quest files are for playing the game (as in it's been published) and double clicking it will open the chromium interpreter. Nothing needs unzipping.

No idea why people answer when they're unsure themselves. XD