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Editing Saved game folder
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− | + | {{Quality|Exceptional|21:05, 11 May 2013 (UTC)}} | |
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{{av}} | {{av}} | ||
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+ | The '''saved game''' files are the files that store a player's progress in ''Dwarf Fortress''. The game can be saved manually or automatically. | ||
The '''saved game folder''' is the location where the files and information corresponding to each [[world generation|world]] (also referred to by, at least, the game, given the default characterisation of the file names as "regions") are stored and accessed by ''Dwarf Fortress''. Knowledge on the technicalities of the saved game folder is crucial if one wishes to change their computer, make a backup, or wants to share a save with someone else. | The '''saved game folder''' is the location where the files and information corresponding to each [[world generation|world]] (also referred to by, at least, the game, given the default characterisation of the file names as "regions") are stored and accessed by ''Dwarf Fortress''. Knowledge on the technicalities of the saved game folder is crucial if one wishes to change their computer, make a backup, or wants to share a save with someone else. | ||
− | + | See also: [[Importing and exporting worlds]]. | |
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== Saving == | == Saving == | ||
− | At any time | + | At any time when you are playing Dwarf Fortress, you can manually save the game through the escape menu option. Simply hit {{key|Esc}} and then select Save Game. Doing so assumes you want to exit and it will take you back to the main menu. Dwarf Fortress only permits one save per world: there are no do-overs! |
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− | + | You can make use of auto-save feature, which allows to periodically (Seasonally or Yearly) save the game. This can be seen as either a way to prevent loss of progress or removing the ability to correct mistakes and change decisions made during the course of play forcing you to rely on skills instead of on the ability to retry indefinitely. To enable '''auto-save''' functionality and controlling its behavior, see: [[d_init.txt]]. | |
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− | + | Although the game has permanent death and you might want to play it in that spirit, the game is also in alpha, can crash, and your world can become corrupted by an error. You can make use of a auto-backup feature, which will create a copy of your saves so that you'll have several copies of your world at different times. To enable '''auto-backup''' functionality, see: [[d_init.txt]]. Making backups can save you a lot of grief. | |
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− | == | + | == Location == |
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− | Your saved games are located in your | + | Your saved games are located in your ''Dwarf Fortress'' [[save game folder]]. The save folder will contain one or more sub-folders, each one holding one of your worlds, and a "current" folder. The "current" folder is used to track the changes to the active world while ''Dwarf Fortress'' is running; it is not important unless ''Dwarf Fortress'' is open, and can safely be deleted otherwise. |
By default, individual worlds are saved in the format: ''region#'', where # is a number, starting with region1 and then incrementing; however, world directories can be renamed without consequence '''if the game is not running''' (this will not change the actual name of the world). If using auto-backup, then backup folders will be named ''region#-year-month-day'', for example region1-00202-01-01. (In versions prior to v0.43, the format was ''region#-season-year'' (for example region1-Spring-202) instead.) | By default, individual worlds are saved in the format: ''region#'', where # is a number, starting with region1 and then incrementing; however, world directories can be renamed without consequence '''if the game is not running''' (this will not change the actual name of the world). If using auto-backup, then backup folders will be named ''region#-year-month-day'', for example region1-00202-01-01. (In versions prior to v0.43, the format was ''region#-season-year'' (for example region1-Spring-202) instead.) | ||
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This can become confusing if you frequently [[cheating|savescum]]<abbr id="info" class="information" title="To reload the last saved game whenever the player character dies or an unfavorable outcome has been encountered."><sup>‡</sup></abbr>. There is no way to change the name of these folders inside the game, but it is safe to change them using the standard methods of your operating system if the game is not running. However, '''never''' alter or delete the folder with the name of the game you're playing ''while saving'' from the game, or while that game is running! | This can become confusing if you frequently [[cheating|savescum]]<abbr id="info" class="information" title="To reload the last saved game whenever the player character dies or an unfavorable outcome has been encountered."><sup>‡</sup></abbr>. There is no way to change the name of these folders inside the game, but it is safe to change them using the standard methods of your operating system if the game is not running. However, '''never''' alter or delete the folder with the name of the game you're playing ''while saving'' from the game, or while that game is running! | ||
− | + | == Contents == | |
The saved game folder will usually have these contents: | The saved game folder will usually have these contents: | ||
+ | * A subdirectory, ''raw'', containing the raws directly copied from the time the world was generated. | ||
+ | ** Inside it, is an ''objects'' folder containing the contents of the raws. This must be kept, but the contents inside can be modified to an extent. | ||
+ | ** There is also a ''graphics'' folder for [[Graphics set repository|graphics]] for creatures. | ||
+ | ** Finally, there may be an ''interaction examples'' folder. This, along with any files or folders not present in the aforementioned two folders, can be safely deleted. | ||
* A series of files named ''art_image-#.dat''. As their name would suggest, these files store information about art and are necessary for proper functioning. Don't replace! | * A series of files named ''art_image-#.dat''. As their name would suggest, these files store information about art and are necessary for proper functioning. Don't replace! | ||
* A series of files named ''feature-#-#.dat''. These files store information about map features such as [[river]]s, [[cavern]]s, [[magma sea]]s, and [[adamantine|hidden fun stuff]]. These files are only generated for parts of the world you have explored (e.g. by embarking in Fortress mode), but using the Site Finder will tend to generate them for the entire world. Replacing these files will usually cause unwanted effects such as magma seas present on the surface or spires of [[adamantine]] spiraling up into the sky. | * A series of files named ''feature-#-#.dat''. These files store information about map features such as [[river]]s, [[cavern]]s, [[magma sea]]s, and [[adamantine|hidden fun stuff]]. These files are only generated for parts of the world you have explored (e.g. by embarking in Fortress mode), but using the Site Finder will tend to generate them for the entire world. Replacing these files will usually cause unwanted effects such as magma seas present on the surface or spires of [[adamantine]] spiraling up into the sky. | ||
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Do '''not''' overwrite an old folder, as it might leave residual files. | Do '''not''' overwrite an old folder, as it might leave residual files. | ||
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== Restoring saves == | == Restoring saves == | ||
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''Dwarf Fortress'' autosaves to the original folder and then copies the save to a backup folder, so you should generally be able to recover from a crash by simply loading the 'main' save folder--it should be as recent as the latest "backup" save. If you want to load a backup savegame, it's recommended that you copy/rename the save to indicate that. For instance, using the examples above, copy [region1-01056-01-01] to [region1-fix] and continue play on that save (creating new backup saves of the form [region1-fix-01056-04-01]). Remember to only modify saves while the game is not running, per the instructions for savescumming above. | ''Dwarf Fortress'' autosaves to the original folder and then copies the save to a backup folder, so you should generally be able to recover from a crash by simply loading the 'main' save folder--it should be as recent as the latest "backup" save. If you want to load a backup savegame, it's recommended that you copy/rename the save to indicate that. For instance, using the examples above, copy [region1-01056-01-01] to [region1-fix] and continue play on that save (creating new backup saves of the form [region1-fix-01056-04-01]). Remember to only modify saves while the game is not running, per the instructions for savescumming above. | ||
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'''Warning''': Save folders can be large, ranging from 20 MB for small saves to several hundred megabytes for large saves. If you run out of hard drive space while saving, ''Dwarf Fortress'' will ''pretend'' to save correctly, but the save will be unloadable. Opening other saves to verify that they still work, then saving and exiting, will corrupt your previously-working saves as well. If you don't want the game to save, just kill the application. Make sure you have sufficient free disk space before launching ''Dwarf Fortress''! {{bug|2587}} | '''Warning''': Save folders can be large, ranging from 20 MB for small saves to several hundred megabytes for large saves. If you run out of hard drive space while saving, ''Dwarf Fortress'' will ''pretend'' to save correctly, but the save will be unloadable. Opening other saves to verify that they still work, then saving and exiting, will corrupt your previously-working saves as well. If you don't want the game to save, just kill the application. Make sure you have sufficient free disk space before launching ''Dwarf Fortress''! {{bug|2587}} | ||
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==Hints== | ==Hints== |