Cannot load old save games?

[Wildstar]

Haven't played Stellaris in quite a while due to unfortunate RL problems.

Anyway, I loaded it up and it was doing something strange - specifically there is no policy set for AI and it won't let me set one - all my AI pops are being dismantled. Don't like that.

So, I took a closer look. "Incompatible Save" on ALL of my saved games. What? I'm 163 hours into this game-save, I don't want start over now! Can I revert to an earlier version and 'bring my save forward' by stepping forward one new release at a time until I'm current?

[Wildstar]

That really really sucks.

[Elitewrecker PT]

You can finish it if you know what version it was.

[Wildstar]

Does this happen every time there is a new update? Hmmm, no couldn't be, since I bought the original version.

The game should translate save files when there are updates. If this is the sixth update in a year, then that means the game becomes unplayable every 2 months.

[Elitewrecker PT]

It doesn't always happen, 1.5 to 1.6 didn't make saves incompatible. But 1.4 to 1.5 did I think.
Ocasionally an update will alter too many things or add some features that will make it impossible for a save to stick together.

[Cuendillar]

Any update with major changes (any update that comes out along side a DLC for sure) will require a new game. But as long as you do not play with mods you can always finish a game from any version by rolling back

[Myshkin]

You can revert to whatever version you like. Go to steam libraries under Stellaris you have options that allow you to roll back to any version of your preference.

[Wildstar]

Thanks for all the help, guys.

While I still find it extremely disappointing that Stellaris works this way (no other game I own makes old save files unusable when there are updates and new DLC) - at least I can finish out my original game.

[Myshkin]

I said that the file is not unusable. Change the version and it will run like normal.

[Cuendillar]

I would say 99% of all games like Stellaris render saves unusable after major updates.

Paradox is one of few studios that gives you the option to roll back to whatever version you want. There is litterally no downside to the player.
Assuming you don't use mods

[Wildstar]

Again, thanks.

I'm sure you're right, Cuendillar - it's just new to me and it caught me off guard.

And I rolled my version back, Myshkin, Elitewrecker - and you are right - works fine!

[Cuendillar]

I know exactly how you feel.
The first time I had a broken save from versions I was furious.

Glad you were able to get it back!

[Elitewrecker PT]

Like Cuendillar (I know the ref ;) ) said, it's more annoying when you mods and they update them to the newest version, that'll make it unplayable even if you downgrade game versions.