View source for How to launch an IF game file

Many IF games can be played in a web browser, but if you download the game file, you'll need a launcher app (also called an "interpreter").

Below are download links for the most popular apps.


== Simplest option ==

Use the '''Gargoyle''' app, which will launch most text games.


[https://github.com/garglk/garglk/releases/download/2019.1/gargoyle-2019.1-windows.exe Gargoyle for Windows]<br>
[https://github.com/garglk/garglk/releases/download/2019.1/gargoyle-2019.1-mac-nota.dmg Gargoyle for Mac OS]<br>
For Linux users, the first place to look is the main repository for your distribution. 
If you're using Linux Mint, open the Synaptic package manager and search for Gargoyle.

== Other options ==

Other options depend on the game format, which you can usually tell from the file extension.


'''Z-code'''<br>
(Extensions: .z3-.z8, .zblorb, .zlb, and sometimes .dat)

Windows: [https://ifarchive.org/if-archive/infocom/interpreters/frotz/WindowsFrotzInstaller.exe WinFrotz]<br>
Mac OS: (?)<br>
Linux: (?)<br>
iOS: (?)<br>
Android: (?)


'''Glulx'''<br>
(Extensions: .ulx, .blb, .gblorb, .glb)

Windows: [http://www.ifarchive.org/if-archive/programming/glulx/interpreters/glulxe/WinGlulxeInstaller.exe Glulxe]; [http://www.ifarchive.org/if-archive/programming/glulx/interpreters/git/wingit-135.zip Git]<br>
Mac OS: (?)<br>
Linux: (?)<br>
iOS: (?)<br>
Android: (?)


'''TADS'''<br>
(Extensions: .gam, .t3)

Windows: [https://www.tads.org/t3dl/pksetup.exe TADS Player Kit]<br>
Mac OS: [https://github.com/realnc/qtads/releases/download/2.1.7/QTads-2.1.7.dmg QTads]<br>
Linux: (?)<br>
iOS: (?)<br>
Android: (?)