Editing Getting Started

This article covers the basics of getting started with BZFlag.

==Step 1 - Downloading and installing the game==

To start playing, you obviously need to download the game, [[you can do so right here|Download]. Click on the link for your Operating System.

After BZFlag has completed downloading, you you can install the game.

* On Windows, it should appear in the start menu, under "BZFlag2.0.10", assuming you downloaded and installed 2.0.10.
* On OS X, you can click on the .dmg, and then drag the "BZFlag 2.0.10" icon into the applications folder
* On Linux, you can either build from the source, or your you can install a package. (On Debian based OSes, "apt-get install bzflag" installs version 2.0.8)

==Step 2 - Registering your callsign==

It is not mandatory to register your callsign, but it is recommended. Here are a few benefits to registering:

* Your callsign is reserved, no one can take it.
* Registering gives you an identity, so you can have "proof" of who you are
* Registering allows you to post on the forums
* You can join groups, and leagues.

If you are still interested in registering (it is highly recommended), then [http://my.bzflag.org/bb/profile.php?mode=register follow this link.]

==Step 3 - Entering your callsign, and joining the game==

{|
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|When you start up BZFlag, you will probably see a screen similar to this one. 
The main menu is used to get to all of the games options:
* The Join game screen, which is covered below
* The Options (settings), these are used to control key mapping, display options, effects settings, etc..
* Save Settings is used to save your current options to your configuration file
* Help is used to access the in-game help and information


|[[Image:MainMenu.png|right|thumb|200px|The Main Menu]]

|-

|For now, we will be concentrating on the "Join Game" Menu. If you use your keyboard to select this option, it will bring you to a screen which allows you to input your user information, such as your username and password (if you registered), your server of choice, your email string, to pick your team (Red, Green, Blue, Purple, Observer)

|[[Image:JoinGame.png|right|thumb|200px|The Join Game screen]]

|-

|If you want to see a list of current servers, move to the "Find Server" option. 
A second or two after you select this, a series of servers will appear on the list, with the most popular servers being first.
Select one that sounds good, and you will be returned to the "Join Game" screen. Then select "Connect", and you will join the server. Once the join is complete, you will see a list of users, a server message, and any other info (such as chat), in the chat box.

When playing, keep a few simple rules in mind:

* Only shoot at people on your own team, unless you are a rogue
* Make sure to not accidentally carry your team flag everywhere
* If you're nice to others, they will be nice to you. (Keep the language clean, be polite, etc..)

|[[Image:ServerList.png|right|thumb|300px|The Serverlist]]
|}

[[Image:Screenshot1.jpg|right|thumb|500px|A typical server. This client has modified textures, so it will not look identical to yours.]]