Where are my save games?

[Daniel@BlueBottleGames]

NEO Scavenger uses a permadeath system, so save files are handled internally. However, some folks like to have access to the files, for backing-up, or cheating death :)

Since NEO Scavenger was built on Flash, the save games are stored in a special way (similar to Machinarium, Binding of Isaac, etc.). They are essentially Flash cookies, called "shared objects."

Where are the save games stored?

The save files are stored wherever Flash keeps shared object data on your machine. Each OS is a bit different, and it also depends on which folder the game binary is in.

Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Application Data\Macromedia\Flash Player\#SharedObjects\RandomString\PathToGame/NEOScavenger.exe/nsSGv1.sol

Windows 7 and Later:
C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Macromedia\Flash Player\#SharedObjects\RandomString\PathToGame/NEOScavenger.exe/nsSGv1.sol

OSX:
Macintosh HD:Users:UserName:Library:Preferences:Macromedia:Flash Player:#SharedObjects:RandomString:PathToGame:NEOScavenger.app/nsSGv1.sol

Linux:
/home/UserName/.macromedia/Flash_Player/#SharedObjects/RandomString/PathToGame/NEOScavenger/nsSGv1.sol

In each of the above cases:

UserName is the username you use to log into your OS.

RandomString is a random string of numbers and letters, unique to each computer.

PathToGame is the path to the NEO Scavenger binary. For example, if your game was launched from "C:\games\NEO Scavenger" folder on Windows, the path would look something like:
C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Macromedia\Flash Player\#SharedObjects\RandomString\localhost\games\NEO Scavenger/NEOScavenger.exe/nsSGv1.sol

This means that moving the game to a new folder changes where the save games appear.

What if the save game disappears?

Unfortunately, using Flash means that save games can be affected by things like cookie cleaners, browsers that clear cookies on exit, antivirus, and other applications that might delete Flash shared objects periodically. You may need to adjust your browser or other software to preserve these files.

I apologize for this inconvenience, as it was an oversight on my part when I chose Flash to make NEO Scavenger.

Can I back-up the save files?

Yes. Save files can be copied and pasted around like any other files, in case you want to keep a back-up.

What if I can't find the directory?

On some OSes, the above folders may be hidden, by default.

On Windows, you can show hidden files following these instructions[windows.microsoft.com]. Also, you may want to verify that "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" is disabled as well. It's possible that these settings make that folder invisible to the user.

How Do I Change Flash to Allow Local Shared Objects?

If Flash is blocking your shared objects, you can change this setting by opening the Local Settings Manager. Usually, this can be done by launching NEO Scavenger, right-clicking on the loading screen, and choosing "Settings" from the menu that appears.

That will bring up an options screen that lets you enable or disable Flash player saving on your PC. On the "Local Storage" tab, you can choose how much space NEO Scavenger uses to save games with a slider. It will also show how much space is currently used in the lower right corner of the dialog.

Note that the "Never Ask Again" checkbox will mean that Flash does not check with you if the app needs to store more space than it is allowed.

If you are unable to find these settings on your computer, you can also try the online Storage Settings Panel[www.macromedia.com]. Though technically, the Local Storage Settings panel mentioned above is supposed to replace this online version.

What if I have other questions?

You may want to check out the sticky thread on save games here[bluebottlegames.com]. There are quite a few other tips and tricks in that thread for finding and managing save files.

[supernet2]

This response and input is greatly appreciated. I have my computer setup to automatically clean all temp files, since its flash related. This helps me from losing my save data every time. Plus enables me to play it on my phone from the same save file as well. Thanks!

[Daniel@BlueBottleGames]

Excellent! I'm glad to hear your were able to find this info and it helped!

[NekoNinja]

Doesn't work but i have the demo does that make a differance?

[Kaaven]

The saves are created when "Save and Exit" option is chosen.

The demo version does not have "Save and Exit" option - once you close your game, all the progress is lost.

[NekoNinja]

Thanks i did so much on the demo i was quite upset when i lost everything!

[Kaaven]

The demo does not really allows you to advance too far, since there is only one encounter (Cryo Facility) and a lot of items missing (mostly weapons and advanced stuff).

[Fiannawolf]

Fixed my save files being deleted problem by not letting IE delete cookies, browsing history upon exit. :P

[NekoNinja]

Also one thing with the demo i have found 6 rifles in 1 game 4 with scopes and 2 without as the full version i have played i have not found a single rifle in 14 hours of gameplay.

[Daniel@BlueBottleGames]

Glad to hear it, Flannawolf! And thanks for posting the solution here!

@R4, that's entirely possible. For one thing, the demo has less weapon types to choose from, so it's more likely you'll see the rifle, while the full version has things like spears, slings, bows, etc. However, the random number generator can also cause droughts of certain items. Unfortunately, that's the nature of RNGs!

[IcePaladin]

So, i can not use continue function whenever i exit the game. It seems to be related to flash cookies or whatever. I have tried to fix this issue, but to no avail. Will this be fixed in future updates?

[Kaaven]

@IcePaladin What have you tried exactly? Cause there are few causes to saves being deleted: cleaning software, antivirus or some browser add-on are the most common causes. It should be relatively easy to do. Other than that, you might try copying the saves manually from the saves folder to prevent them from being deleted. A crude method, but works as well as any.

And, as far as I know, there will be no fix for that problem. Inability of the Flash platform to save proper files is it's inherit property, as it is a safety feature, and cannot be changed really.

[IcePaladin]

Perhaps i posted under wrong discussion. But what exactly is the purpose of a continue button if it cant even hold the previous save. I have looked at suggestions but i cant figure out how to use process monitor... The above suggestion (main post) doesnt even have correct path (yes i can view hidden folders). I do not have an antivirus and i purchased from steam so i do not see how browser settings affect it (could be ignorant of this i admit)
There are flash games on armorgames or kongregate that hold saves longer than 2 seconds. I find it frustratingly ridiculous. Safety feature from what? I dont put my social security into the game. At least exit button works...

[IcePaladin]

In addition the save game file doesnt even appear in the final folder during gameplay.

[IcePaladin]

By previous save i mean like if you are playing and you are dude is alive in the game, but you have to go to sleep and you turn off the computer, that file should be there when you continue next day.

[Dragoonseal]

IcePaladin, the Flash Player saves cookies onto your computer much like the cookies in a browser. Lately these cookies have been increasingly used by websites in the same way as browser cookies, to track and report your internet browsing history. This is an invasion of privacy, most people don't like it, so there are many applications and browser plugins that will delete these cookies for you, some regularly if set to do so. If you have anything installed that does that you'll need to make exception rules in them for NEO or local saves so they aren't deleted.

As well the Flash Player itself has a setting to just not allow cookies to be saved to your computer from the start, you may have this setting enabled, I did myself and NEO couldn't save because of it (it is a Flash game). If you go into your Control Panel and then Flash Player, on the Storage tab there are options for allowing Flash cookies or not, as well as setting exception rules for specific sites. If you make an exception rule for the website listed as "local" that will allow NEO to save properly (quit and restart NEO if it's running currently), or you could just click the option to allow all sites to save cookies.

Edit: Hah beat you by literately 2 seconds Kaaven.