====== Using ROMM ======

ROMM is where you can browse and play retro games right in your browser — no emulator setup required. This guide covers the basics.

===== Logging In =====

Go to [[https://romm.twilighttv.myddns.me|romm.twilighttv.myddns.me]] and sign in with your ROMM account.

{{ :guides:romm_login.png?direct&600 |ROMM login screen}}
//Screenshot: the Login screen//

ROMM uses a **separate account** from Jellyfin — see [[guides:accounts|Account & Access Help]] if you don't have one yet or need a password reset.

===== Supported Systems =====

TwilightTV's ROMM library covers systems up to the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles|5th generation]] of consoles — think PS1, N64, Genesis, SNES, and earlier. If you're looking for something newer that isn't there, it's likely outside what the server supports right now.

===== The Home Screen =====

After logging in, you'll see your library organized by platform (NES, SNES, PS1, etc.). Each platform section shows the games available for it as cover art tiles.

{{ :guides:romm_home.png?direct&600 |ROMM home screen with platform library}}
//Screenshot: the Home screen showing platform sections and game tiles//

===== Browsing & Searching =====

  * Click a **platform** to see every game available for that system
  * Use the **search bar** at the top to find a game by name across all platforms
  * Click a game's cover art to open its detail page — this shows info like release date, genre, and description

{{ :guides:romm_browse.png?direct&600 |Browsing a platform's game library}}
//Screenshot: a platform library grid, e.g. SNES titles//

===== Playing a Game =====

  - If the game has a **green** play arrow, it is playable in the browser!
  - Click a game to open its detail page
  - Click **Play**
  - The game launches in an in-browser emulator — no downloads or extra software needed

{{ :guides:romm_play.png?direct&600 |Launching a game in the browser emulator}}
//Screenshot: a game's detail page with the Play button, and/or the emulator running//

==== Controls ====

  * **Keyboard**: default controls work out of the box, though they can feel clunky for action games
  * **Controller**: plug in a USB controller (or connect Bluetooth) before hitting Play — most browsers will auto-detect it once a button is pressed

{{ :guides:romm_controls.png?direct&600 |Default Controls for Romm}}

//Screenshot: These are the default controls for ROMM (GBA in this case.)//

===== Save States =====

The in-browser emulator supports save states, so you don't need to rely on the game's own save system:

  * Use the emulator's on-screen menu (usually a small toolbar or press a hotkey) to **save state** (floppy icon) or **load state** (folder icon for manual load or the arrow icon for quick load)
  * Save states are tied to your account, so they'll be there next time you log in — even on a different device
  * You are the only ones able to see your uploads, this includes ROMs, but this may be fixed soon. **Unless you are an admin, then everyone can see your ROMS, but not your save files or save states.**

{{ :guides:romm_savestate.png?direct&600 |Save state menu in the emulator}}
//Screenshot: the emulator's save/load state menu//

===== Downloading a Game =====

If you'd rather play on a real emulator or handheld instead of in-browser, most games have a **Download** button on their detail page right next to the play button (if the game has one) to grab the ROM file directly. 

**You will need to provide the emulator yourself, but the BIOS files can be stored on ROMM.** (Under the system, for example: PS2, there is a BIOS tab, you can drop a BIOS there and it acts like cloud storage.)

===== Favorites =====

Click the **heart/star icon** on a game to add it to your Favorites, making it easier to find again without digging through the full platform library.

===== Tips =====

  * Struggling with input lag in-browser? Try a wired controller instead of Bluetooth, and close other tabs/apps hogging bandwidth. Worst case, you may have to download it and play locally.

  * Can't find a specific game? It might just not be in the library yet — ask an admin on Discord if you'd like it added or add it yourself under your username in the top right.

  * Be sure to ask an admin to scan for ROMS after you add them or else they won't show until after 3am.  **Gumby: I tried to change this, but it does not gibe me the option to do so easily, I will figure it out soon though.**

  * Save states are per-game, so you can have different progress points saved without overwriting each other.

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Still stuck? Reach out to an admin on [[https://discord.gg/ZzqCWcxVDP|The Twilight Zone's Discord]].