Please read through these frequently asked questions before contacting us - your question may have already been answered!

Q. Why do you use pop-up ads?
A. We understand that these advertisements can be annoying, but unfortunately in this difficult advertising climate we need to use them to keep the site running. Without them, we would be forced to close. We have tried to limit their use so they do not become overwhelming by the use of cookies.

However, as a special benefit to our registered members, we have disabled popups if you are logged in while browsing the site. Registering is free, so there really is no excuse to sign up, sign in, and avoid seeing popups!

Q. Why to I have to register to use some features of your site?
A. You need to register to be able to rate and review files and games, as well as access our message boards. Registering for our site helps you interact with us and other readers and enhances your experience.

Q. Is registration free?
A. Yes, becoming a basic member of PC Gameworld is absolutely free. We may at some stage introduce subscriptions which enable readers to access advanced features of the site.

Q. I downloaded a demo, but it won't work. Why?
A. Without physically being at your computer it is hard to tell. We do not provide support for any of the files on our site. All we can suggest is to follow any instructions that came with the file, and to make sure you have the latest DirectX drivers installed. Make sure your computer meets the minimum required specifications. Some demos also require that you have a 3D card. Somebody else may be experiencing the same problem with the file - post a question on our free message boards and someone may be able to help you.

Q. I try to download a demo, but my screen just starts filling up with weird letters. What's wrong?
A. Your browser is trying to open the file rather than download it. Chances are you are using an old version of Netscape. Try using Internet Explorer instead or updating your browser. You can try to RIGHT CLICK on the download location, and save the file to your desktop. Your browser will then download the file rather than try to open it.

Q. I downloaded a demo, but I can't 'unzip' it. Why? or
Q. I downloaded a demo, and when I open it, it comes up with weird letters all over the screen, or it tries to open it in Notepad. What am I doing wrong?
A. You need to download a program which lets you 'unzip' (decompress) files. The best one is called WinZip, and you can download a 21-day trial version from http://www.winzip.com

Q. I'm looking for an old game that I want to buy. I can't find it anywhere. Can you help?
A. Search our online game store or post a question on our free message boards and someone may be able to help you.

Q. Why do you only have demos - why don't you have full versions of games to download?
A. Because it is illegal. Besides, if everyone could download the full version, the game companies would not make any money, and no-one would make games anymore. And we don't want that! We know that games aren't cheap, but copying games from your friends is only going to make things worse.

Q. The disks for my game were lost or damaged. Can you send me new ones or send me the CD key?
A. Sorry, we don't sell games or provide support for games. You'll need to contact the game manufacturer directly.

Q. Help! I'm stuck in this game - can you help me?
A. If we answered every request of this type, we'd have no time left to build the site! Check out our cheat code section where you may find the answer. Alternatively post a question on our free message boards and someone may be able to help you.

Q. The cheat codes that you have on your site for a game don't work!
A. You may have a different version of the game. We cannot test every single cheat code for every game. Post a question on our free message boards and someone may be able to help you.

Q. Can you send me cheats for a game?
A. Sorry, all the cheats we know of are in our cheat section.

Q. Are all the games on your site free?
A. Yes, they are all free to download. Most files are game demos which allow you to 'try before you buy'. There are often time limits on the demos (e.g. you can only play for 10 minutes) or are only a small portion of the game. Shareware games sometimes expire after 7, 10, 15 or 30 days, so if you like the program and want to keep using it, you should register it.

If the frequently asked questions listed above don't address your problem, please let us know. However, please note that we do not provide support for game demo files.

To submit comments or suggestions, please email richard at pcgameworld.com

For business enquiries, please email holt.meyers at gameworldindustries.com

If you are a game publisher or developer and would like to submit games for us to review, or email us press releases, please click here.

Unfortunately, due to the large number of messages which we receive daily, we cannot reply personally to every message.