Gaming WelowenigKeeping slow games in their place
Slow games are easy to underestimate. Five minutes, four times a day, every day for a month adds up to ten hours. These notes are general and apply to the four games we list.
Screens and browsers
Keep your browser up to date and you'll rarely have trouble. War maps need room, so a laptop or a tablet held sideways is far more pleasant than a phone. City builders are fine on any screen.
Your game account
- Only enter your account details on the game's own website. Check the domain before you type anything.
- Pick a long, unique passphrase for each game.
- Ignore in-game messages offering free premium currency in exchange for your account. Game staff never ask for it.
- Turn on two-factor protection if the game supports it.
Spending
Each game sells a premium currency. Decide a monthly cap in dollars before the first purchase and stick to it. On shared or children's devices, require approval for in-app payments in the device settings.
Time
Turn off notifications. Decide in advance when a match is your last one. If a game starts showing up in the middle of the night or during work, step away for a while. The map will still be there when you come back.
Age
Each game sets its own minimum age. Read it on the game's site before letting a younger player create an account.