How to Save in Exanima

[David Whitefang]

For those of you that aren't interested in manually saving your progress when you wish to, this post is not for you.

I've read alot of posts/threads about this game, and see that quite a few players (probably at least 25%) would like to know how to save their progress when they want to. Occasionally people have given a short reply in comments, mentioning the path location to the save files, and told players to just copy that. However, for anyone that is not very computer savvy, their short answer may not be enough for some to accomplish saving. My intention is to, once and for all, try to give a very detailed description of the save process for those that need/want it. My 'how to' is for Windows 10.

First you have to prepare. [Because one of the folders in the path to the save file is hidden. (That folder is named AppData)]. Open your 'file explorer' (icon should be located on your lower task bar). Left click 'view' (near top left). Then open the 'options' tab (at the far right). The folder options window will pop up, left click the 'view' tab. Then you need to enable the line that reads 'Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives'. Then left click 'apply' and 'OK'. Now that is done. Close all windows. If this part gave you trouble just Google 'how to show hidden folders' and it will walk you through it. Now Right click on your desktop, and choose 'New' then 'Folder'. This new folder will be where you keep your backup save, so name it whatever you want, such as 'Exanima Save 1' or 'Exanima lvl 5'. We'll get back to this empty folder in a moment. (Later you can always create more backup save folders for saving at different stages/lvls/arena/etc, as you choose).

Now for how to save when you want to... the path to your saves. At the task bar, left click on your 'file explorer'. Then in the left side list, under 'This PC' left click 'Windows (C:)'. Next in the right side pane, double left click 'Users'. Now double left click whatever 'user name' you are using (in my case, it's David). Next double left click on 'AppData'. In the list you will see a folder called 'Roaming', right click on 'Roaming' and then select to 'Create Shortcut'. Now drag that shortcut to your desktop, and close the 'file explorer'. This method will give you faster access to the Exanima save folder (which is in the 'Roaming' folder) and you won't easily confuse it with the back up save folder you created earlier. Now double left click your 'Roaming Shortcut'. You will see a folder named 'Exanima', right click on it and select 'Copy', and then close out the 'roaming' window. Now open the empty folder you created earlier for your Exanima backup. Right click in the folder and then select the 'Paste' option. You now have a backup. This folder doesn't backup automatically, you'll have to decide when you want to overwrite this backup with a newer one. (By copying the Exanima folder to here, from your 'Roaming Shortcut').

Complete path written out... ThisPC/Windows(C:)/Users/Your User Name/AppData/Roaming/Exanima
(and within that Exanima folder is the .rsg file that is the save). So when you're backing up your progress as a save, copy the entire Examina folder from 'Roaming' and save it elsewhere.

So when you die, (or Derrin dies on you, etc...) and you want to relaod your save, Open your backup Exanima folder, then double left click on the Exanima folder within it. Then right click on the .rsg file and select 'copy'. Close that folder and open the Exanima folder located in your 'Roaming Shortcut' folder, then right click in that folder. Select 'Paste'. Then select 'copy and replace'. This will overwrite the 'ingame last save' to the last manual save that you made into your backup folder. Then simply restart Exanima and continue playing. Enjoy!

I find Exanima an amazing game, fun, challenging, and full of potential. I believe it is on its way to being considered Epic in the future.

[White ⁧⁧Wolf]

Couple of people complaining on the forums about (lack of)saving is not 25% of the playerbase...

[Luap26]

Thanks for the information David. I gotta do this kind of ♥♥♥♥ to backup my MHW and DS3 save data its annoying.

Maximus, I can totally believe the number of fans that are frustrated with the poor save/check point system is a descent amount.

Specially with so many new floors now past the portal. Thinking the only people dissatisfied with the current system are people making threads on the forums is pretty narrow minded on the problem.

These forums are pretty toxic to pretty much anyone who is unhappy with something about the game for the most part. You generally get either long winded replies about how your "Opinion" makes you either an idiot or a scrub. Or you just get trolly answers of "not a problem for veterans players learn to play". Which isnt very inviting for players to come forward if they dont like something.

[Jonesy485]

these forums are a mess. anyway thanks for the post mate it helped me a lot!

[Treetop69]

Originally posted by Diabetus Maximus:

Couple of people complaining on the forums about (lack of)saving is not 25% of the playerbase...

you have no way of knowing how many lurkers on either side there are, as well as how many played and quit because of lack of saves or loss of a game after some progress.

Its like the american unemployment rate. If you dont get a job for 2 years and your benefits run out you are taken off the count. So while our "unemployment" rate is under 5% (outside of crisis conditions) it in reality is probably closer to 15-20% at any given time if not worse. We just stop counting those % that left.

Just like you dont count the % that left over saves. There are probably many many more than you imagine.

[White ⁧⁧Wolf]

Originally posted by Treetop69:

you have no way of knowing how many lurkers on either side there are

I suggest you read the above sentence.

People are much more likely to create threads/write reviews about things they *don't* like compared to things they *do* like. For almost any game you'll find that more people will complain about a certain feature or lack thereof than praising a feature or lack thereof. However, after years of monitoring these forums I can tell you 90% if not more are positive posts, simply because Exanima is such a breath of fresh air doing things so differently. Very, very little complaining. That's because most people either take the advice of the people here and learn to love the game, and/or accept that it is still in development, or just find out on their own. Yeah, every now and then someone will pass through complaining about this or that - because they are 1) treating it as a finished game and/or 2) are so used to many games having generic features such as quicksaving that they are finding it difficult to do without. Exanima is all about doing things differently, while still doing them well. The game is currently in development and if I was you I would wait until that is done before complaining about feature X or Y missing. Like you've probably read by now there's rumours about a planned 'death system'.

[raistlin_hourglass1]

What if you have multiple rsg files, 001 002 003 004 005, im assuming i just choose the highest one?

[David Whitefang]

Originally posted by raistlin_hourglass1:

What if you have multiple rsg files, 001 002 003 004 005, im assuming i just choose the highest one?

In my save folder that had multiple .rsg files, the lowest one was my regular game. You may be able to tell by the file time/date stamp as to what they are.

To the players that Thanked me above for this post, you are very welcome! - Glad it helped.

[Vismel]

Originally posted by raistlin_hourglass1:

What if you have multiple rsg files, 001 002 003 004 005, im assuming i just choose the highest one?

There is no real way of knowing what file is what file unless you use a hex editor to find your character name (and if you use the same names, well, you‘re out of luck), so you have to go by timestamps, the most recent is the last played/saved one.

[Luzilyo]

there's an even easier way to save the game for people who do not wish to bother with complicated techno-stuff-things like files and folders and all that:

go back to level 4. find the portal. use it to get back to level 3. use it again to get back to level 4. your progress is now saved. depending on how far you have gotten in the game, this could potentially be a significant journey, but at least you won't have to do all that complex stuff with all those files and folders.

also feels more "legit". like, it is (very likely) bugusing, but at least bugusing is still exclusively using stuff that exists as part of the game and not doing any outside-things.

[patrol]

Originally posted by Luzilyo:

there's an even easier way to save the game for people who do not wish to bother with complicated techno-stuff-things like files and folders and all that:

go back to level 4. find the portal. use it to get back to level 3. use it again to get back to level 4. your progress is now saved. depending on how far you have gotten in the game, this could potentially be a significant journey, but at least you won't have to do all that complex stuff with all those files and folders.

also feels more "legit". like, it is (very likely) bugusing, but at least bugusing is still exclusively using stuff that exists as part of the game and not doing any outside-things.

Some people say this does not work, it's better to copy the entire save folder every time you achive something significant and get rid of the previous copy

[David Whitefang]

Originally posted by raistlin_hourglass1:

What if you have multiple rsg files, 001 002 003 004 005, im assuming i just choose the highest one?

I can better answer this for you now, as I've done some testing.

To start out the save files are definitely in number order as to the order that you created the characters and saved. (This could change though, as I explain below).

I created 4 different game starts and saved them, then went to my Exanima folder and from there deleted 3 save files, Exanima001.rsg, 002, and 003. That left only the 004 in my save folder. Then I went back in the game, played and saved. Upon then checking my Examina save folder, the only save file I had there was still 004 (It did not rename to 001).

I then started another new game and saved it. Then again I checked my Exanima save folder, and the newest save file had been created as 001. So even though that was my latest game, it ends up being higher in the list than the 004 file.

So over time as you might delete some old characters (game run-through files) and also introduce new ones, the run through you might end up enjoying playing most might not be at the top of the list or the bottom. But if you simply remember it's number (ex: 001, 005, etc.) then you'll always copy and paste the correct one from your back-up folder, when you feel it necessary. (Going by the time/date stamps will always show you the order in which you've played your saved games, no matter the file number).

If I had multiple saved games that I might be keeping to come back to and play more in the future, I'd probably make a note on my desktop, with a brief description of what each file was. (For example: 006 - Proctor. 90% health, 3 lg/2 sm heals, at sewer entrance).

[kw]

Originally posted by David Whitefang:

For those of you that aren't interested in manually saving your progress when you wish to, this post is not for you.

I've read alot of posts/threads about this game, and see that quite a few players (probably at least 25%) would like to know how to save their progress when they want to. Occasionally people have given a short reply in comments, mentioning the path location to the save files, and told players to just copy that. However, for anyone that is not very computer savvy, their short answer may not be enough for some to accomplish saving. My intention is to, once and for all, try to give a very detailed description of the save process for those that need/want it. My 'how to' is for Windows 10.

First you have to prepare. [Because one of the folders in the path to the save file is hidden. (That folder is named AppData)]. Open your 'file explorer' (icon should be located on your lower task bar). Left click 'view' (near top left). Then open the 'options' tab (at the far right). The folder options window will pop up, left click the 'view' tab. Then you need to enable the line that reads 'Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives'. Then left click 'apply' and 'OK'. Now that is done. Close all windows. If this part gave you trouble just Google 'how to show hidden folders' and it will walk you through it. Now Right click on your desktop, and choose 'New' then 'Folder'. This new folder will be where you keep your backup save, so name it whatever you want, such as 'Exanima Save 1' or 'Exanima lvl 5'. We'll get back to this empty folder in a moment. (Later you can always create more backup save folders for saving at different stages/lvls/arena/etc, as you choose).

Now for how to save when you want to... the path to your saves. At the task bar, left click on your 'file explorer'. Then in the left side list, under 'This PC' left click 'Windows (C:)'. Next in the right side pane, double left click 'Users'. Now double left click whatever 'user name' you are using (in my case, it's David). Next double left click on 'AppData'. In the list you will see a folder called 'Roaming', right click on 'Roaming' and then select to 'Create Shortcut'. Now drag that shortcut to your desktop, and close the 'file explorer'. This method will give you faster access to the Exanima save folder (which is in the 'Roaming' folder) and you won't easily confuse it with the back up save folder you created earlier. Now double left click your 'Roaming Shortcut'. You will see a folder named 'Exanima', right click on it and select 'Copy', and then close out the 'roaming' window. Now open the empty folder you created earlier for your Exanima backup. Right click in the folder and then select the 'Paste' option. You now have a backup. This folder doesn't backup automatically, you'll have to decide when you want to overwrite this backup with a newer one. (By copying the Exanima folder to here, from your 'Roaming Shortcut').

Complete path written out... ThisPC/Windows(C:)/Users/Your User Name/AppData/Roaming/Exanima
(and within that Exanima folder is the .rsg file that is the save). So when you're backing up your progress as a save, copy the entire Examina folder from 'Roaming' and save it elsewhere.

So when you die, (or Derrin dies on you, etc...) and you want to relaod your save, Open your backup Exanima folder, then double left click on the Exanima folder within it. Then right click on the .rsg file and select 'copy'. Close that folder and open the Exanima folder located in your 'Roaming Shortcut' folder, then right click in that folder. Select 'Paste'. Then select 'copy and replace'. This will overwrite the 'ingame last save' to the last manual save that you made into your backup folder. Then simply restart Exanima and continue playing. Enjoy!

I find Exanima an amazing game, fun, challenging, and full of potential. I believe it is on its way to being considered Epic in the future.

Hello, im one of those helpless - hope you can help

I did all but in the Roaming folder there is only "Microsoft" folder
I play though Shadow PC is this an issue ?

Hope you can help !

Best
Kasper