Glossary:Save game cloud syncing

Steam Cloud - cloud sync conflcit.

Save game cloud syncing is the process of having save game data automatically synced to cloud storage.

Advantages

Cloud syncing has a number of benefits:

• Automatic backup protects against catastrophic data loss like hard drive crashes.
• Continue a game on another PC such as a laptop seamlessly.
• Ability to store save games for long term retrieval (useful for series such as Mass Effect which spanned over 4 years).

Steam Cloud

Steam Cloud is a feature of the Steam client that allows save game data to synced to the cloud. A list of Steam Cloud games can be searched for on Steam, though some games that are not listed there even though they use Steam Cloud.

Steam Cloud implementation is very inconsistent among developers. Some choose to only sync configuration files, some force users to choose only a single slot to be synced. Some games list Steam Cloud as a feature, but do not sync any data whatsoever. For example:

• Braid
• Fallout: New Vegas

Other methods of cloud syncing can be enabled.

Dropbox Cloud Saving

Dropbox is a cloud storage program, widely regarded as the most reliable and well-implemented program of its kind. However, Dropbox can only synchronise a single 'Dropbox' folder at any one time. To use Dropbox to sync save game files, one needs to use symbolic links to make the save games 'appear' inside the Dropbox folder.

Windows

This method uses symbolic linking (mklink) to move a folder, whilst making Windows think that the folder has not moved. Symbolic linking works in a similar way to a shortcut; a link replaces the folder, whilst also pointing to the folder's new location. This new location will be in the Dropbox, which is automatically synced online.

GameSave Manager Sync & Link

GameSave Manager has an excellent Sync & Link feature which can automate this process.

GameSave Manager is a very well developed and comprehensive save game backup utility. GameSave Manager can scan your system for savegames, using a well-updated database of save game locations. Custom entries can also be added and submitted. GameSave Manager's feature Sync & Link can be used to automate the symbolic linking process to one's Dropbox folder.

Manual Symbolic Link

Step 1 - Install Link Shell Extension Utility

• Link shell extension

Step 2 - Find Save Game Location

First of all, locate where your save games are stored. For this guide, we will assume you want to sync your Fallout: New Vegas saves, which are stored in on Windows 7. This location is:

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\My Games\Fallout New Vegas\

Step 3 - Move Save Game Folder Into Dropbox

Move (do not copy) the Fallout: New Vegas folder into the Dropbox folder. This default location is:

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\My Dropbox\

Step 4 - Create Symbolic Link

Right click on the folder:

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\My Dropbox\Fallout New Vegas\

Click 'Pick Link Source'.

Go to:

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\My Games\

Right click and choose 'Drop as - Symbolic Link'. Now Fallout: New Vegas save game folder will sync onto Dropbox.

Mac And Linux

Some games may save in their installation directory. It is still easy enough to create the symbolic link required. To create a symbolic link on Mac or Linux on the command line, run:

$ ln -s ~/Dropbox/Saved\ Games/Fallout New Vegas ~/Documents/My\ Games/

GameStow

GameStow is a cloud storage service for PC Gamers. The GameStow program automatically detects game save files on systems using a database of known locations (similar to GameSave Manager), but uses GameStow's own cloud servers for cloud syncing. The service is currently in open beta and only available for Windows users.

• List of supported games