# Effect.start

Starts playing an effect.

**Kind:** Function

**Environments:** Game

## Game

``` { .lua .api-signature }
effect:start( startTime? )
```

[Open the full Game reference](../Game-Script-Environment/Userdata/Effect.md#start)

**Availability:** Client only

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `effect` | [Effect](../Game-Script-Environment/Userdata/Effect.md) | The effect. |
| `startTime` *(optional)* | number | The start time of the effect. Only applies to audio and cinematic effects. (Defaults to 0) |