Managing save games manually

[Stellar Tactics]

Here are instructions for deleting saves manually.

WARNING: Doing any of the below could result in broken saves - that is, deleting save files from the"Save" folder etc. So, backup your "Save" folder and your "sav_dat.xml" file before trying any of this. I highly recommend not fiddling with this unless you have a good understanding of editing xml, folders and file systems.

First, save your game and mark it clearly - something like "THIS IS MY LATEST SAVE"

Second - exit the game and make a backup of your "sav_dat.xml" file found in the root of the game folder.

Third, make a backup copy the "entire" "Save" folder as a backup.

Saves have 3 components.
1) The universe file - usually named numerically. For example "5.55556e+007.sts". Deleting any of these files will make any associated save un-playable as the universe seed - the entire universe is saved in this file for any save game.

2) the "sav_dat.xml" file. This contains all of your game settings and a xml entry for every single save game. Editing this file could destroy all of your saves. So, if you want to fiddle with this, make sure you have a backup. A single misplaced character could cause problems.

3) The actual save file for any save game. "autosave_x.sts", quicksave.sts" and other saves as "save_x.sts" where "x" is the index of the save.

To completely delete a save game, you will need to remove entries from the sav_dat.xml and delete the corresponding file from the "Save" folder.The game never deletes files of any kind so even though you may delete a save, the "save_x.sts" file for that save remains on your drive.

This is a save entry in the sav_dat.xml file. Note that there are two file references in the entry - the rest is just state information so team composition, equipped weapons etc can be loaded into the load/save UI:

<save_slot>save_1</save_slot> - the name of the referenced save_x.sts file in the Save folder.

<universe_filename>5.55556e+007</universe_filename> The name of the associated universe file in the Save folder - never delete these from the Save folder. Deleting any of these numbered files could leave the game in a state where it cannot load save games. A universe file could have hundreds of saves associated with it.

To remove a save, remove each xml entry that you no longer want in a text editor like notepad++ and delete the associated "save_x.sts" file in the save folder.

Leave the autosave entries. Leave the quicksave entry.

Keep the special save you made - this is the save title entry:
<save_title>THIS IS MY LATEST SAVE - 198:04</save_title>


--SAVE ENTRY START
<save_1>
<save_slot>save_1</save_slot>
<save_title>THIS IS MY LATEST SAVE - 198:04</save_title>
<universe_filename>5.55556e+007</universe_filename>
<pc_0_active>True</pc_0_active>
<pc_0_name_info>Flechette</pc_0_name_info>
<pc_0_level_info>45</pc_0_level_info>
<pc_0_priwpn_info>Aralion Thunderstorm AR Shotgun</pc_0_priwpn_info>
<pc_0_secwpn_info>Aralion Tsunami GRP Pistol</pc_0_secwpn_info>
<pc_0_pic>face_f_2_1</pc_0_pic>
<pc_0_hp>617</pc_0_hp>
<pc_1_active>True</pc_1_active>
<pc_1_name_info>Patrik Muramoto</pc_1_name_info>
<pc_1_level_info>47</pc_1_level_info>
<pc_1_priwpn_info>Varadyne Protector AAR Auto Rifle</pc_1_priwpn_info>
<pc_1_secwpn_info>Conrair Eagle RJ Ion Pistol</pc_1_secwpn_info>
<pc_1_pic>face_m_9_1</pc_1_pic>
<pc_1_hp>713</pc_1_hp>
<pc_2_active>True</pc_2_active>
<pc_2_name_info>Silvan Deters</pc_2_name_info>
<pc_2_level_info>45</pc_2_level_info>
<pc_2_priwpn_info>Cilivon Mechanical CRB Shotgun</pc_2_priwpn_info>
<pc_2_secwpn_info>Cilivon Basic SK Advanced SMG</pc_2_secwpn_info>
<pc_2_pic>face_m_10_1</pc_2_pic>
<pc_2_hp>690</pc_2_hp>
<pc_3_active>True</pc_3_active>
<pc_3_name_info>Nana Stief</pc_3_name_info>
<pc_3_level_info>43</pc_3_level_info>
<pc_3_priwpn_info>Cilivon Basic Spiked Greatclub</pc_3_priwpn_info>
<pc_3_secwpn_info>Hallamis Raider Smooth Club</pc_3_secwpn_info>
<pc_3_pic>face_f_4_1</pc_3_pic>
<pc_3_hp>807</pc_3_hp>
<credits_info_label>5.11292e+006</credits_info_label>
<lastplayed_info_label>0/23/2018</lastplayed_info_label>
<region_info_label>Achmedius Trade Port</region_info_label>
<timeplayed_info_label>Hr: 198 Min: 4 Sec: 3</timeplayed_info_label>
<timeplayed_value>708379</timeplayed_value>
</save_1>
--SAVE ENTRY END

Hope that helps.