How to change save file location in Linux

[CentreMetre]

I have some saves from my windows pc that i want in /mnt/games/Saves/Factorio rather than ~/.factorio/saves how can i put them there and have the game read them from there and write future saves into there. I tried setting that in the config but got an error so i mustve set the config wrong. Do i need to give permissions to the game to read from there since its in root (/mnt/...) rather than my user directory?

I would like to avoid using symbolic links if possible since i think ive heard they can be a bit of an hassle.

[SiEgE]

Originally posted by CentreMetre:

I have some saves from my windows pc that i want in /mnt/games/Saves/Factorio rather than ~/.factorio/saves how can i put them there and have the game read them from there and write future saves into there. I tried setting that in the config but got an error so i mustve set the config wrong. Do i need to give permissions to the game to read from there since its in root (/mnt/...) rather than my user directory?

Just use symbolic links. I'd transfer the entire .factorio folder there, instead, tbh.

Originally posted by CentreMetre:

I would like to avoid using symbolic links if possible since i think ive heard they can be a bit of an hassle.

wdym? Valve uses tons of symbolic links literally everywhere in their Steam and SteamVR. That helps them to avoid keeping several copies of the same file everywhere they need them during execution, and neat up the folder structure.
Symbolic links do have some quirks, but unless you overuse them to a point of creating potential loopings, I don't think you should even care.
Factorio can potentially reject a link and request a proper folder, but you won't know until you try.

It is easier to remember, where the app saves its files at ~/ dir and just make a link out of there, rather than remembering/writing down all the paths or launch parameters to redefine home dirs for each game. IMHO.

[CentreMetre]

Originally posted by SiEgE:

Originally posted by CentreMetre:

I have some saves from my windows pc that i want in /mnt/games/Saves/Factorio rather than ~/.factorio/saves how can i put them there and have the game read them from there and write future saves into there. I tried setting that in the config but got an error so i mustve set the config wrong. Do i need to give permissions to the game to read from there since its in root (/mnt/...) rather than my user directory?

Just use symbolic links. I'd transfer the entire .factorio folder there, instead, tbh.

Originally posted by CentreMetre:

I would like to avoid using symbolic links if possible since i think ive heard they can be a bit of an hassle.

wdym? Valve uses tons of symbolic links literally everywhere in their Steam and SteamVR. That helps them to avoid keeping several copies of the same file everywhere they need them during execution, and neat up the folder structure.
Symbolic links do have some quirks, but unless you overuse them to a point of creating potential loopings, I don't think you should even care.
Factorio can potentially reject a link and request a proper folder, but you won't know until you try.

It is easier to remember, where the app saves its files at ~/ dir and just make a link out of there, rather than remembering/writing down all the paths or launch parameters to redefine home dirs for each game. IMHO.

Ah ok, i havent used symbolic links before and had heard there annoying to deal with so maybe id just read one bad experience over lots of bad ones.

Also im still not used to everything being kept in ~/ in hidden folders, even if that was done in windows i never interacted with that, so thats another thing im gonna have to get used to on linux.

Thanks for your help.

Just out of curiosity if you happen to know, what would i put in the ini file for it to read the saves from my preferred dir? And why didnt it work when i tried it?

[SiEgE]

Originally posted by CentreMetre:

Just out of curiosity if you happen to know, what would i put in the ini file for it to read the saves from my preferred dir? And why didnt it work when i tried it?

According to this wiki:
https://wiki.factorio.com/Application_directory
You can create a config-path.cfg file and specify the required target folder there, but there are some additional steps required. Looking at those additional changes, I'd consider going straight for a link, instead, as it would be much easier.

[CentreMetre]

Originally posted by SiEgE:

Originally posted by CentreMetre:

Just out of curiosity if you happen to know, what would i put in the ini file for it to read the saves from my preferred dir? And why didnt it work when i tried it?

According to this wiki:
https://wiki.factorio.com/Application_directory
You can create a config-path.cfg file and specify the required target folder there, but there are some additional steps required. Looking at those additional changes, I'd consider going straight for a link, instead, as it would be much easier.

Ah i didnt read all that section when trying to do it. Either way i have set a link it it works fine. Thanks