Support / Help Center

Reset Password ACCOUNT

If you forgot your password, use Forgot Password on the sign-in page. You'll receive an email with a link.

Quick Steps

• Open the sign in page > Forgot Password.
• Enter the email tied to your GlitchRealm account.
• Click the link in the email within 15 minutes.

If Email Doesn't Arrive

• Check spam / promotions folders.
• Make sure you didn't sign up with a different email alias.
• Wait 2–3 minutes; some providers delay new senders.

Link Says Expired

Request a new reset. Only the most recent link works.

Change Email ACCOUNT

In the User Portal, open Account Settings and use the Change Email form. You'll need to re-authenticate for security.

Checklist

• New email isn't already used on another account.
• You are still signed in (token not expired).
• Confirm any verification mail if required.

Common Errors

• requires-recent-login: Sign out & sign in again, then retry.
• email-already-in-use: That address already exists—use password reset instead.

Verification ACCOUNT

Verification unlocks creator / submission features and a badge. Use the Verification form in the User Portal.

Tips

• Add a short description of what you build.
• Provide links (GitHub, itch.io) if available.
• Submissions are usually reviewed within 24–72h.

Playtime Not Updating PLATFORM

Playtime is tracked client-side and periodically synced to Firestore.

Quick Fix

• Keep the game tab focused at least once every 60s.
• Stay signed in (the tracker pauses if auth token expires).
• Don’t block localStorage or script execution.

Advanced Troubleshooting

• Open DevTools Console; check for Firebase permission errors.
• Clear site data (localStorage key: gr.playtime.*) if corrupt.
• Multiple tabs: only the most active tab should accumulate time.

Cloud Save Issues PLATFORM

If a game supports saves, they sync using Firestore or Supabase depending on the title.

Fixes

• Ensure network isn't blocking firestore.googleapis.com.
• Disable aggressive privacy extensions temporarily.
• Confirm you're signed into the same account across devices.

Performance / Low FPS PLATFORM

Performance depends on browser GPU acceleration and asset caching.

Quick Wins

• Close other heavy tabs (video streaming, WebGL sites).
• Use Chromium-based browser with hardware acceleration on.
• Disable unnecessary overlays (recorders, extensions).

Advanced

• Open DevTools Performance panel to spot layout thrash.
• Clear cache if assets changed recently (Shift + Reload).

Submitting a Game DEVELOPERS

Use the Submit Game page (requires verified or developer status).

Requirements

• Cover image (PNG/JPG) ≤ 1MB.
• Unique slug (a-z, 0-9, dashes).
• Short + long description (avoid raw HTML script tags).

After Submitting

Status begins as draft or pending until staffed review.

Branding & Assets DEVELOPERS

Follow consistent visual identity for listing and badges.

Guidelines

• High contrast logo (transparent PNG).
• No copyrighted third‑party art unless you own rights.
• Keep cover safe-area (avoid vital text near edges).

Cover Art Specs DEVELOPERS

Recommended size 1024×576 (16:9). Smaller images are accepted but will be upscaled which can soften detail.

Upload pipeline is currently in beta (testing stability + storage quotas). If the direct upload fails or is temporarily disabled, you can still provide a hosted image URL (CDN, GitHub raw, etc.) and it will render normally.

Best Practices

• Keep text large & readable.
• Export at 80–90% quality (optimize size).
• Avoid heavy motion blur – crisp edges compress better.

Profile Avatars ACCOUNT

Upload or change your profile avatar from the User Portal. Avatars are stored securely in Supabase.

Upload Requirements

• Image formats: JPG, PNG, GIF (no animated GIFs).
• Max file size: 2MB.
• Recommended: 256×256 or larger square images.
• Content must be appropriate (no NSFW, offensive, or copyrighted material).

Troubleshooting Upload Issues

• If upload fails, check file size and format.
• Try a different browser if issues persist.
• Clear cache and cookies, then retry.
• Contact support if you see storage quota errors.

Privacy & Data ACCOUNT

We take your privacy seriously. See our full Privacy Policy for details.

What Data We Collect

• Account info: Email, display name, verification status.
• Playtime data: Per-game session tracking (local + cloud sync).
• Analytics: Page visits, feature usage (anonymized where possible).
• Uploads: Avatar images, game cover art (if you're a developer).

Your Rights

• Access: Request a copy of your data via support@glitchrealm.ca.
• Deletion: Use the Delete Account feature in User Portal.
• Correction: Update profile info directly in User Portal.
• Opt-out: Disable analytics tracking in browser settings.

Third-Party Services

We use Firebase (Google), Supabase, and DoAI chatbot. Each follows their own privacy policies.

Notifications PLATFORM COMING SOON

Browser notifications for new games, updates, and community events are currently in development.

Planned Features

• New game releases in genres you play.
• Platform updates and maintenance notices.
• Community event announcements.
• Developer updates for games you follow.
• Playtime milestones and achievements.

When Available

When notifications launch, you'll be prompted to enable them on your first visit. You can also enable them manually via browser settings > Site Permissions > Notifications for glitchrealm.ca.

Privacy First

• Opt-in only – we'll never enable without your permission.
• Easy opt-out anytime via browser settings.
• Frequency controls to prevent notification fatigue.

Expected Release: Q4 2025 / Q1 2026. Follow our updates for launch announcements.

Mobile Experience PLATFORM

GlitchRealm works on mobile browsers and can be installed as a PWA for app-like functionality.

Installing as PWA

• Android Chrome: Tap menu (⋮) > Add to Home screen.
• iOS Safari: Tap share icon > Add to Home Screen.
• Launch from home screen for fullscreen mode without browser UI.

Mobile Performance Tips

• Close other apps to free up RAM.
• Use Wi-Fi for best loading speeds.
• Some WebGL games may perform better on tablets vs. phones.
• Landscape orientation recommended for most games.

Known Mobile Limitations

• Keyboard-heavy games may be difficult on touchscreen.
• Some browsers (Safari) have limited WebGL support.
• Audio may require user interaction to start (browser policy).

Keyboard Shortcuts PLATFORM

Speed up navigation with these keyboard shortcuts.

Global Shortcuts

• Ctrl / ⌘ + /: Open support chatbot.
• Ctrl / ⌘ + K: Quick search (when available).
• Esc: Close modals and overlays.

In-Game

• F11: Toggle fullscreen (browser-dependent).
• M: Mute/unmute (if supported by game).
• P: Pause (if supported by game).

Note: Game-specific shortcuts vary. Check each game's controls page.

Game Controllers PLATFORM

Many games support USB or Bluetooth gamepads via the Gamepad API.

Supported Controllers

• Xbox One / Series X|S controllers (wired or Bluetooth).
• PlayStation DualShock 4 / DualSense (via USB or Bluetooth).
• Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Bluetooth).
• Generic USB/Bluetooth HID gamepads.

Setup

• Connect controller before launching game.
• Press any button to activate detection.
• Check game settings for button mapping.

Troubleshooting

• Browser must support Gamepad API (Chrome, Edge, Firefox).
• Bluetooth controllers may have input lag on some systems.
• Test controller at gamepad-tester.com if issues persist.

Account Security ACCOUNT

Keep your account safe with these best practices.

Strong Passwords

• Use at least 12 characters with mixed case, numbers, symbols.
• Don't reuse passwords from other sites.
• Consider a password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, etc.).

Two-Factor Authentication

Firebase supports 2FA. Enable it in your Google account settings if you signed up via Google.

Suspicious Activity

• Unexpected password reset emails? Someone may be trying to access your account.
• Change password immediately and contact security@glitchrealm.ca.
• Check recent sign-in activity in Firebase console if suspicious.

Phishing Protection

• Always verify URL is glitchrealm.ca (not glitch-realm, glitchrealms, etc.).
• We'll never ask for your password via email or chatbot.
• Report suspicious emails to security@glitchrealm.ca.

Community Guidelines COMMUNITY

GlitchRealm is a welcoming space for all gamers and creators. Please follow these guidelines.

Be Respectful

• No harassment, hate speech, or discriminatory language.
• Respect other players' skill levels and learning curves.
• Constructive criticism is welcome; toxicity is not.

Keep It Safe

• No NSFW content in public areas (avatars, usernames, comments).
• Don't share personal information publicly.
• Report any content that makes you uncomfortable.

Play Fair

• No cheating, exploiting bugs, or manipulating leaderboards.
• Don't spam chat or flood game submissions.
• Give credit when using others' work or ideas.

Enforcement

Violations may result in warnings, content removal, or account suspension. Serious violations are reported to authorities where required by law.

Developer API & Integration DEVELOPERS

Planning to integrate with GlitchRealm or build custom tools?

Current Availability

We don't yet have a public REST API. Authentication and game data are managed through Firebase/Firestore with direct client SDK access.

What You Can Do

• Use Firebase SDK for auth integration in your games.
• Access Firestore for playtime/save data (with proper security rules).
• Embed GlitchRealm games in iframes (check game-specific permissions).

Upcoming Features

• Public API for game stats and leaderboards (planned Q1 2026).
• Webhooks for game events (in development).
• OAuth integration for third-party services.

Interested in early access? Email developers@glitchrealm.ca with your use case.