FAQ

The Concept of Core Online

What is CORE ONLINE? CORE ONLINE is a service that offers high definition games in your browser. All games can be played for free supported by ads or purchased so you can play without getting interrupted by ads. Or you can subscribe with a monthly fee so you won’t get interrupted by ads during any of the games You can play popular games like Mini Ninjas, Hitman or Tomb Raider, while more games are coming soon. For free? Yes – we're offering gamers the chance to play entire games completely for free. The games are funded by advertising. You can play all games for free but limited to 20 minutes per day, If you want to play for longer, you need to come back the next day, subscribe or buy the games. Purchase or subscribe? All games can be purchased so you can play without getting interrupted by ads. Or you can subscribe with a monthly fee so you won’t get interrupted by ads during any of the games.

Ads

How often will the ads appear? Short ads will be shown every five minutes How long will each ad last? The length of individual ads will vary; but the average is approximately only 15 seconds. How will the transition between game and advertisement be handled? Every 5 minutes, you will automatically be taken to the ad block, after which you can resume playing. What if I don't want to watch ads? You can always choose to skip ads by directly purchasing the games or subscribe to have the ads removed for all our available titles.

Game time

Will the daily free game time be carried over from one play session to the next? Or is it lost when I close the browser/log out? The amount of game time will carry across between sessions. Do I need to register in order to play? Yes, registration is required. We have tried to make the registration process as painless as possible for you though. Registration will also add benefits, such as persistent game saves, achievements, and more. Does the daily free game time have to be redeemed on the game I'm currently playing? No, game time can be redeemed across any of the games available on the CORE ONLINE platform.

Requirements to play the games

What other games can I expect to see on CORE ONLINE? Many more games are on the way. We have a lot more planned for the future, but you'll have to stay tuned for announcements! Do I need a powerful PC to play these high definition games? CORE ONLINE will work on most modern connected Windows PCs using an updated major browser. As the service is free, we recommend that you try it out on your system and see if you like it. Is CORE ONLINE compatible with Mac or Linux? At the moment only select titles are available to Mac and Linux users. If you would like to see more of our games on a particular platform then let us know! Which browsers is CORE ONLINE configured for? CORE ONLINE is configured to run on most updated browsers using the Square Enix Secure Launcher plug-in (including Internet Explorer and Firefox) or on Google Chrome via Native Client without any installation at all. What is "Square Enix Secure Launcher" and why do I need it to run the game? Square Enix Secure Launcher is a secure browser plug-in developed by Square Enix specifically to run CORE ONLINE games, offering full native game performance in all mainstream web browsers. SESL is currently only available on Windows. I've encountered a bug in one of the games – how do I report it? We're sorry that you've encountered a problem with one of the games, and we appreciate your help. To report a bug, please use the feedback form and provide as much detail as possible – e.g. platform (Windows / Mac), OS version, browser version, RAM, graphics card, etc. The game has just crashed. How can I fix it? If you've encountered a problem, please report it using our feedback form and refresh the page to reload the game. Please also check the latest system requirements for the game. I'm having a technical issue with the game, but it's not described here. "Please report the issue to us using this feedback form and tell us as much as you can about the problem you're experiencing, the game you were playing, as well as your computer's specs:
Graphics card (GPU)
Processor (CPU)
RAM
System software (OS version)
Browser version Using Chrome? By entering "about:gpu" you can get a detailed report about your graphics hardware and system specs. This is very useful for us and we would be grateful if you would copy it and paste it into your feedback report.

Subscription on Core Online

What happens when I cancel my subscription? When cancelling your subscription will continue to run until the next renewal day. Your account will then revert back to the free version. How to change subscription payment details The only way to change your payment details fx. like the credit card type or number, is to cancel your current subscription and create a new one with the correct details. Can I change the renewal date of my subscription? No, sorry the date that your recurring monthly payment is debited from your account is fixed. How to cancel your subscription We are sorry to hear that you want to cancel your subscription.
You can cancel your subscription anytime by logging into your account page and click the “Cancel my subscription” button. At the end of the period that you have already paid for, your Core Online account will return to the ad-supported service until you decide to subscribe again.

Purchases on Core Online

If I buy games, who am I entering into a transaction with? If you buy games or subscribe you are buying virtual goods from Square Enix. The actual credit card payment is a separate transaction between you and a third-party payment provider. Please also refer to our Terms of Use. Who will hold my credit card data? Square Enix is not involved in any payment transactions, so your credit card data is never revealed to us. All payments are handled by a third-party payment provider, so this is the only service that needs access to your credit card. If you have any further questions, please contact our Customer Services. Is my credit card accepted by CORE ONLINE? Please refer to the specific payment provider to see if your credit card is accepted. Can I get my purchases refunded? We're unable to refund virtual goods purchases. If you've made a purchase in error then please contact our Customer Service team who will see if they can help you. Please be sure to check the Terms of Use if you're unsure before going ahead with any purchase.

My Core Online account

I've forgotten my password – what do I do? You can recover your password by clicking here Where can I change the email address of my CORE ONLINE account? "You can change your email address in the Profile page. How do I stop receiving news from CORE ONLINE? "Just go to the Profile page. and un-tick the "Keep me in the loop" option." Why does CORE ONLINE need my Date of Birth? While some of our content is rated at PEGI 7+, we still need to take your date of birth to ensure that you are 13+. Unfortunately 13+ is the minimum age that you must be in order to register and hold an account on the CORE ONLINE website. I'd like to close my CORE ONLINE account. What happens with my purchases? Unfortunately we're not able to refund purchases; if you choose to close your account these purchases will be lost. We don't want to lose you as a customer so please visit our feedback form or contact Customer Services to let us know why you're leaving and we'll see if there's anything we can do to help.

Other Questions?

I couldn't find an answer for my question... If you have further questions, please contact Customer Services.

MINI NINJAS

Back to top System Requirements

Minimum:

  • Processor: Intel/AMD Dual Core Processor
  • Memory: 1GB system RAM (2GB Vista/Win7/Mac OS X)
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 3400 or higher / NVIDIA GeForce 9600 or higher, with 256MB video RAM
  • Sound: DirectX 9 compatible sound card (Windows)

Recommended:

  • Processor: Intel/AMD Dual Core Processor
  • Memory: 4GB system RAM
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon 4650 card or higher / NVidia GTX 260 card or higher
  • Sound: DirectX 9 compatible sound card (Windows)
  • Mouse

Also, please ensure that you have the latest driver versions installed.

 Which browsers are supported? Currently, Mini Ninjas is officially supported on:
  • Google Chrome (Windows/Mac) Download
  • Mozilla Firefox (Windows only)
  • Internet Explorer 8 or 9, 32-bit (Windows only)
 When I run the game, I can hear sounds and Hiro running around, but the screen stays black. What should I do? Try reloading the game page a few times. If this doesn't help, your graphics card may not be supported for Native Client, or your graphics card driver may be out of date. Please verify that you have updated your operating system and drivers to the latest version. You may still be able to play Mini Ninjas, though! Try it again, but this time in Firefox or Internet Explorer. I'm on Mac, but mouse control is not working properly. First, try clicking a couple of times inside the game. Mostly, this is enough to fix this issue. If you still can't get mouse control working, it is likely that you are running in Presentation Mode. Please check the following steps:
  1. Hit ESC to pause gameplay.
  2. Go to the Chrome menu bar at the top of your screen and select the "View" menu.
  3. If this menu says "Exit Presentation Mode" and/or "Exit Fullscreen Mode", please proceed to step 4. Otherwise, skip to step 5.
  4. Hit cmd + ctrl + F to exit both fullscreen modes.
  5. Click inside the game window.
  6. When a dialog appears ("www.coreonline.com is now full screen"), be sure to click the "Allow" button.
Please also note that you will need to make use of the right-mouse button functionality throughout Mini Ninjas. Please verify that this functionality is enabled, in System Preferences > Mouse > Secondary Click, as well as in System Preferences > Trackpad > Secondary Click, if you're using a trackpad. I'm in Chrome, when the game loads I can only see part of the game screen? This is a known issue and we're working with Google to resolve it. Luckily, fixing it is easy - all you need to do is hit F11 to exit fullscreen mode (on Mac, hit ctrl + cmd + F), then reload the page and try again. What happens to my game progress in Mini Ninjas when I close the browser window? Is it lost? No need to worry - CORE ONLINE is a cloud service so it saves your Mini Ninjas game progress on a central server. Simply sign-in (doesn't need to be the same computer) when you're ready to play again and you'll be able to continue from your last checkpoint. Where can I see an overview of all the control keys for Mini Ninjas? You should be able to find a full controls overview on the game page, right below the game screen. If you're running the game in fullscreen, just press the ESC key to go to browser mode. Switching back to fullscreen mode is as simple as clicking in the game screen again. Can I use a game controller with the game? This depends on the browser that you're using: Google Chrome (Mac / Windows):
  • Google is working to add gamepad support to Native Client, but this feature has not yet been released.
 Other browsers (Windows):
  • Gamepad support is built right into Square Enix Secure Launcher (the CORE ONLINE plug-in.) Just connect your Windows gamepad, and everything should work automatically. (Mini Ninjas is optimized for Microsoft's Xbox Controller for Windows.)
 I'm having problems with the game, it's running really slowly for me. What can I do? Sorry that you're having problems running the game. Please check that your computer reaches the minimum required specs, if your machine does reach these minimums but you're still having problems then you might be able to improve game performance by lowering your display resolution when playing Mini Ninjas, or hitting F12 to run the game in windowed mode (SESL plug-in only). Also close any other games, programs or web pages that you don't need. Things in the game are not working as they should? Sorry about that, we're working hard to fix everything. Please report any issues to us, using the feedback form. Please also check the system requirements listed on this page. Help! The game just hangs on the dark pause screen in Internet Explorer, and if I click nothing happens? If you're having trouble playing the game in Internet Explorer (IE), we would encourage you to try it instead with Google Chrome, available from the Chrome download page. When playing on a MacBook or PC notebook with a trackpad, I'm having trouble assigning inventory items to the Quick Item Wheel? While you'll be able to play through the game without one, we highly recommend connecting a mouse to play Mini Ninjas. Please refer to the Mini Ninjas manual for more detailed information about game controls. I'm playing on Windows Vista/7 and the game freezes occasionally? This is currently a known issue that's being looked at by us and Google. We do have a work around though so you can continue to play Mini Ninjas:
  1. You will need to disable the Aero Glass effects module, simply go to the desktop and right click, then choose "Personalize". Under "Basic and High Contrast Themes", click "Windows 7 Basic" to turn this feature off.
  2. Once that's disabled, launch Chrome and type "about:flags" into the URL bar. From this page you will need to enable the "Disable GPU VSync" option.
  3. Once this is done, re-launch Chrome and go back to Mini Ninjas. The game should now run without problems.

HITMAN: BLOOD MONEY

Back to top System Requirements Minimum:
  • Windows XP or later
  • Pentium 4 1.5 GHz or Athlon XP Equivalent
  • 512MB RAM
  • DirectX 9.0c compatible video card which supports Hardware TnL and Pixel Shader 2.0 (GeForce FX / Radeon 9500 or higher)
  • DirectX 9.0c Compatible Sound Card
  • Windows compatible Mouse and Keyboard (Gamepads and controller are not supported)
Recommended:
  • Pentium 4 2.4 GHz or Athlon XP/64-bit equivalent
  • 1GB RAM
  • ATI X800 series, Nvidia GeForce 6800 series or higher video card
  • DirectX 9.0c Compatible Sound Card, Sound Blaster X-Fi series

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

Back to top System Requirements Minimum:
  • Processor: Intel/AMD Dual Core Processor
  • Memory: 1GB RAM (XP) / 2GB RAM (Vista/Win7/Mac
    • OS X)
  • Graphics: ATI 1300XT or better / NVIDIA GeForce
    • 6 Series (6800GT or better)
  • Sound: DirectX 9c compatible sound card (Windows)
Recommended:
  • Processor: Intel/AMD Dual Core Processor
  • Memory: 2GB RAM (XP) / 3GB RAM (Vista/Win7/Mac
    • OS X)
  • Graphics: NVidia GTX 8800 card (or similar) or
    • better
  • Sound: DirectX 9c compatible sound card (Windows)
  • Mouse or Gamepad
Also, please ensure that you have the latest driver versions installed. Which browsers are supported? Currently, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is officially supported on:
  • Google Chrome (Windows/Mac) Download
  • Mozilla Firefox (Windows only)
  • Internet Explorer 8 or 9, 32-bit (Windows only)
 When I run the game, I can hear sound, but the screen stays black. What should I do? Try reloading the game page a few times, or even close and reopen the browser. If this doesn't help, your graphics card may not be supported for Native Client, or your graphics card driver may be out of date. Please verify that you have updated your operating system and drivers to the latest version. You may still be able to play Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, though! Try it again, but this time in Firefox or Internet Explorer. I'm on Mac, but mouse control is not working properly. First, try clicking a couple of times inside the game. Mostly, this is enough to fix this issue. If you still can't get mouse control working, it is likely that you are running in Presentation Mode.Please check the following steps:
  1. Hit ESC to pause gameplay.
  2. Go to the Chrome menu bar at the top of your screen and select the "View" menu.
  3. If this menu says "Exit Presentation Mode" and/or "Exit Fullscreen Mode", please proceed to step 4. Otherwise, skip to step 5.
  4. Hit cmd + ctrl + F to exit both fullscreen modes.
  5. Click inside the game window.
  6. When a dialog appears ("www.coreonline.com is now full screen"), be sure to click the "Allow" button.
Please also note that you will need to make use of the right-mouse button functionality throughout Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. Please verify that this functionality is enabled, in System Preferences > Mouse > Secondary Click, as well as in System Preferences > Trackpad > Secondary Click, if you're using a trackpad. What happens to my game progress in Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light when I close the browser window? Is it lost? No need to worry - CORE ONLINE is a cloud service so it saves your Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light game progress on a central server. Simply sign-in (doesn't need to be the same computer) when you're ready to play again and you'll be able to continue from your last checkpoint. Where can I see an overview of all the control keys for Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light? You should be able to find a full controls overview on the game page, right below the game screen. If you're running the game in fullscreen, just press the ESC key to go to browser mode. Switching back to fullscreen mode is as simple as clicking in the game screen again. Can I use a game controller with the game? Gamepad support is built right into both Square Enix Secure Launcher (the CORE ONLINE plug-in) and Google’s Native Client. Just connect your Windows gamepad, and everything should work automatically. (Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is optimized for Microsoft's Xbox Controller for Windows.) I'm having problems with the game, it's running really slowly for me. What can I do? Sorry that you're having problems running the game. Please check that your computer reaches the minimum required specs.

Also close any other games, programs or web pages that you don't need.

We have also added a number of detail settings to this title that should improve the performance. Press the “Esc” key, then select a lower resolution (720P or 360P) and level of detail (Medium or Low). Things in the game are not working as they should? Sorry about that, we're working hard to fix everything. Please report any issues to us, using the feedback form. Please also check the system requirements listed on this page.

Tomb Raider Underworld

Back to top System Requirements Minimum:
  • OS: Microsoft Windows XP, Vista
  • Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3 + GHz or AMD Athlon 2.5 + GHz
  • Memory: 1GB RAM (Windows XP) / 2GB RAM (Windows Vista)
  • Video: NVIDIA GeForce 6 series 6800GT (or higher) / ATI 1800XT (and more)
  • Sound card: DirectX 9.0c compatible
  • Keyboard and mouse: Windows XP / Vista compatible
Recommended:
  • OS: Windows XP, Vista
  • Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz or Athlon 64 X2 4400 +
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Video: nVidia GeForce 9800 GTX / ATI HD4800
  • Sound card: DirectX 9.0c compatible
  • Keyboard and mouse: Windows XP, Vista compatible
  • Gamepad: Microsoft Xbox360 Controller

HITMAN: SNIPER CHALLENGE

Back to top System Requirements Minimum:
  • Windows XP or later
  • Pentium 4 1.5 GHz or Athlon XP Equivalent
  • 512MB RAM
  • DirectX 9.0c compatible video card which supports Hardware TnL and Pixel Shader 2.0 (GeForce FX / Radeon 9500 or higher)
  • DirectX 9.0c Compatible Sound Card
  • Windows compatible Mouse and Keyboard (Gamepads and controller are not supported)
Recommended:
  • Pentium 4 2.4 GHz or Athlon XP/64-bit equivalent
  • 1GB RAM
  • ATI X800 series, Nvidia GeForce 6800 series or higher video card
  • DirectX 9.0c Compatible Sound Card, Sound Blaster X-Fi series

GYROMANCER

Back to top System Requirements Minimum:
  • Windows XP or later
  • Pentium 4 1.5 GHz or Athlon XP Equivalent
  • 512MB RAM
  • DirectX 9.0c compatible video card which supports Hardware TnL and Pixel Shader 2.0 (GeForce FX / Radeon 9500 or higher)
  • DirectX 9.0c Compatible Sound Card
  • Windows compatible Mouse and Keyboard (Gamepads and controller are not supported)
Recommended:
  • Pentium 4 2.4 GHz or Athlon XP/64-bit equivalent
  • 1GB RAM
  • ATI X800 series, Nvidia GeForce 6800 series or higher video card
  • DirectX 9.0c Compatible Sound Card, Sound Blaster X-Fi series