- What are Shockwave and Flash? Where can I get them?
To make our site interesting and full of fun, we use some enhancements that require free Web plug-in/player software. Shockwave and Flash are plug-ins that are used a lot on the Web. To enjoy some of the areas on this site, you'll need to download and install -- or upgrade -- Shockwave and Flash. You can get Shockwave and Flash from Macromedia. If you already have one or both of these plug-ins, they will work automatically when you arrive at a page that needs them.
- Do Shockwave & Flash work on WebTV?
WebTV does not support Shockwave or Java at this time. We will see if they will add this functionality in the future. But WebTV Plus users can play games that use Flash, as well as the many games on the site that do not require plug-ins.
- Shockwave or Flash is not working. (Troubleshooting)
On some computers, installing Shockwave or Flash is a two step process. First, you download a small 'Installer' program. Next, you have to find that installer on your computer. Double-click the installer to run it. This is part of the actual installation, which may take a few minutes. You may also have to exit your Web browser and restart it.
If Shockwave or Flash is not working, it may be necessary to uninstall -- and then reinstall -- the plug-in on your computer. Macromedia offers an 'Uninstaller' program for just this purpose. After uninstalling, please download Shockwave and Flash and reinstall them.
Macromedia has answers to many common questions:
Shockwave Player Support FAQ
Flash Player Support FAQ
- I am getting a message to get Shockwave or Flash.
If you are being prompted to get Shockwave or Flash, this may mean that it failed to install properly the first time or has not been installed yet. If this is preventing you from playing our games, please troubleshoot your Shockwave/Flash installations -- including uninstalling and reinstalling them -- before emailing us.
- I'm having problems with the sound.
Make sure your computer volume is turned up (and/or your speakers are turned on) or that there aren't headphones connected.
Troubleshooting your Shockwave or Flash installations should resolve most sound problems.
On Windows, make sure you have the latest device drivers for your sound card. Drivers are usually available for free Web download from the company that makes your sound card or PC. If you have frequent sound problems on Windows 95/98/ME, consider updating Microsoft's DirectX multimedia components on your computer. (Note, this is a large download, but it may help if your components are older).
You may need to Restart your computer for any new settings to take effect.
- I am getting confusing error messages.
Occasionally, Shockwave or Flash may fail to install properly on your computer or become unstable. Error messages may alert you that something is wrong.
If errors are preventing you from playing our games, please troubleshoot your Shockwave or Flash installation -- including uninstalling and reinstalling the plug-ins -- before reporting the problem to us.
- I can't find the installer after downloading it.
When downloading the Shockwave or Flash Installer with some Windows browsers, it will ask you where you want to save it on your computer (the Desktop is a convenient place). On a Macintosh, it usually goes directly to the place you have designated for Internet downloads. This might be your Desktop, or it may be a folder on your Mac.
If you can't find the installer you just downloaded, search for files containing the word 'shockwave' or 'flash' using your computer's Find function. On a Macintosh, switch to the Finder and use: File > Find (or Apple Menu > Find Files). On Windows, this is: Start > Find > Files or Folders.
- Which version of Shockwave or Flash is required?
Most of our Shockwave games require at least version 7 of Shockwave Player. You can use a higher version but not a lower one.
Our Flash games work with version 4 (or higher) of Flash Player.
- What are the system requirements for Shockwave or Flash?
Our Shockwave games need at least version 7 and our Flash games need at least version 5. These, in turn, require either of these:
- Pentium-class PC running Windows 95, 98 or later (or NT 4.0 or later)
- Power Macintosh (or iMac) running System 7.6.1 or later
The approximate minimum browser requirements are:
Windows
- Navigator 3.0 or later
- Internet Explorer 3.0 and later (final releases only)
- America Online versions 3.0 and later
Macintosh
- Navigator 3.0 or later
- Internet Explorer 4.01 or later
- America Online 4.0 (with IE 4.01 or later)
- It says "Loading..." for a really long time, but the game never comes up.
In most cases, this is because Shockwave or Flash failed to install properly on your computer or has become unstable. If this is preventing you from playing our games, please troubleshoot your Shockwave/Flash installations -- including uninstalling and reinstalling the plug-ins -- before emailing us.
