BitTorrent is a tool that allows us to bring you large files faster, and with less impact to the site's performance. You'll be using a program called a client, which will do the actual downloading for you. This client doesn't directly download the file from a server, as is the case with FTP, or with the classic "just clicking a link on a page" system. Rather, you download a torrent file (which ends, unsurprisingly, with .torrent). When you open this file in your client, it connects to the tracker named in the .torrent file, and the tracker tells the client what other computers are trying to download the file. Your client will start to grab pieces of the file you're downloading from several other computers. As you download a piece, that piece also becomes available for other peers to download from you. That way, lots of people share the load of distributing the file, everyone gets faster downloads, and our site doesn't crash because of a million (possibly overexaggerated) simultaneous downloads.

There are a ton of different BitTorrent clients out there, and each one has its ups and downs. We recommend µTorrent. It's very small, won't use up lots of memory, and is relatively easy to use (though it does have lots of options for those who enjoy that sort of thing). You can download the latest version from their website. Make sure to grab the Installation Program, if you're new to all of this. One you download it, go ahead and install it just like any other program.

Now that you've got µTorrent installed, go ahead and run it. If the Network Wizard doesn't open up first thing, go to the Options menu up top and select "Speed Guide". Step 1 in this wizard is very important, since it decides what your maximum upload rate will be. If you know how much upstream bandwidth your provider allows, you can select from the menu. Otherwise, It's probably a good idea to go conservative. If you have cable or DSL, choose "xx/192k". If you have dialup, choose "Dial-up (28.8k)". In Step 2, you'll see a question about ports. If you have a router that shares your connection with multiple computers, you'll need to forward a port for bitTorrent. With some new routers, µTorrent can do this automatically. Click the "test if port is properly forwarded" button to see if you're good to go. If you do need to forward a port, you'll have to check the documentation for your router, because it varies from model to model.

Now you're all set to download. Just double-click the .torrent file you downloaded (or choose to Open it when you click the link from our site) and µTorrent should open up automatically and ask you where to save the file.

One last thing... when your download is complete, please PLEASE leave it running for at least a few hours longer. Even though you're done downloading, your computer is still sharing the file for others, and helping to spread the load. If everyone closes their download the second it's done, that adds up to slower downloads for everyone. Remember: It's considered good BitTorrent etiquette to help seed the file, at least for a little while. And, of course, we at Adventure Gamers thank you for helping us out.

And, for the safety-conscious, be not afraid. There's no risk of accidentally sharing files on your computer, since only files included in the .torrent are available for others to grab from you, and even then only while the client is working on that .torrent. As for viruses, we've checked all of the files we share and found them to be clean, but if you download files from other sites that offer torrents, make sure you're running Antivirus software of some sort. Avast is nice, and it's free, so there's no excuse.