What is MGA?
A self-hosted game library for your home. It connects supported stores and game folders, manages copies and artwork, and serves metadata and authorized files to frontend plugins.
Questions before you install
What MGA does.
What it does not.
Is it a replacement for Playnite or LaunchBox?
No. Keep using your frontend to play, install and configure emulators. MGA organizes the collection behind it. See how they fit together.
Do I need developer tools?
Not for the packaged Windows release. Download the installer, set up your profile, connect one source and add a frontend plugin. See the four-step guide.
Do I install an MGA Client on each PC?
No. There is no supported first-party MGA local client in the current server-first product. Install the frontend plugin on your gaming PC instead. Old screenshots and releases may show retired player/client controls.
Can I play from the browser or on my phone?
The browser manages the library. It does not launch or install games. Phone browsers can manage a reachable home server; there is no released mobile launcher integration.
Which plugins can I download?
The Playnite plugin has a public release. The LaunchBox adapter is a preview, not yet a public managed-plugin release. Its sync is currently manual, separate from native storefront scanning.
Does a library import download my Steam or Game Pass games?
No. Store entries still depend on that store's client, account and entitlement. Only authorized file-backed copies use MGA content delivery. Importing metadata does not turn a protected store package into a downloadable MGA file.
Does MGA prevent account suspensions or let people share a Steam login?
No. MGA does not change Steam's account, security, sharing or simultaneous-use rules. Use legitimate sharing options offered by the store, not shared credentials. An account warning needs investigation with that provider.
Are games, BIOS files or emulators included?
No games, ROMs, firmware or paid licenses are bundled. Emulator/runtime artifacts can be served only with the required licensing and compliance evidence; your frontend handles configuration and execution.
Does Google Play support mean I can download Android games?
No. Catalog support is separate from Android package distribution and from Google Play Games on PC. A working mobile/Google Play launcher plugin is not released.
Is my collection private?
The server and library run on your own PC. Configured connectors contact their providers, and games still use their stores. Protect the MGA data directory and backups because they may contain credentials. Use your trusted home network; do not expose port 8900 directly to the internet.
Can I safely update an existing downloaded game?
Early frontend adapters are not full updaters. Content-hash verification and cross-retry revision continuity are incomplete. Do not overwrite an existing game after a source revision changes, and back up saves/mods before removing downloaded files. Read the plugin's detailed limits.
What if I do not know the administrator password?
A fresh installation may ask you to replace an initial password during setup. That is not a reset for an existing installation. Do not delete your data directory to regain access; ask for recovery guidance for your version and make a backup first.
Is MGA free and public?
Yes. The source repository and Windows releases are public. See the repository license. MGA and its adapters are pre-1.0 software.