Searches like game guide gag usually come from a specific moment of being stuck, so this starts with the answer and explains the reasoning afterwards.

The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. Written notes beat memory when you come back to this in a month.

The short answer

Do the straightforward version first; it solves this for most people, and the detailed section exists for when it does not.

The straightforward version

Nothing below requires mods, paid tools or an account on some sketchy site. Give the first attempt an honest try before deciding the method does not work. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough. Understanding the reason behind a step lets you adapt it when your situation differs.

Give the first attempt an honest try before deciding the method does not work. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. Anything marked optional really is optional, so skip it without guilt.

Why it works

If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. Anything marked optional really is optional, so skip it without guilt. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem.

  • Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
  • Back up your save if the game gives you the option.
  • Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
  • Write down what worked, in case you need it again later.
  • Test one change at a time instead of five at once.
  • Restart fully after a change rather than trusting a quick reload.

Edge cases worth knowing

Most of the disagreement online here comes from people describing different versions. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago.

It helps to know why a step exists, because then you can adapt it when your situation differs slightly. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. Small details matter more than they should here, so read the order of steps carefully.

Mistakes worth avoiding

  • Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.
  • Changing several settings at once, then having no idea which one helped.
  • Trusting a video thumbnail over the actual patch notes.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an easier way?

Often, but the easy route tends to be less reliable. The method above trades a couple of extra minutes for a result that works the first time.

Does this apply to every version?

The steps target the current release. Older versions usually behave the same way, though menus may sit in different places.

Is there a faster method?

Usually yes, and usually it is riskier. The route above trades a little speed for a much lower chance of having to start over.

Game Guide Gag is not complicated once the order of operations is clear, and now it is.