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Saves and new game

How the server saves the game​

The server saves the game automatically, at the frequency set by SaveInterval (in seconds) in dedicatedserver.cfg, and also when the server shuts down cleanly.

Games are stored in the Saves folder, in the server data folder (the same one as dedicatedserver.cfg, see Where is the file?). Each game uses a slot:

  • the slot number in use is the SaveSlot value in dedicatedserver.cfg;
  • each slot is a folder with a numeric name (often zero-padded, for example 0000000001 for slot 1), stored in a subfolder of Saves whose name may vary with the game version.
Finding the right folder

The easiest way is to look at what the server has created: after a first startup, open Saves in the Files tab and browse down to the numbered folder of your slot. Its modification date changes with every autosave.

Making a backup​

From the panel​

The Backups tab of the Game Panel (game.yorkhost.fr) lets you create a backup of the server and restore it. Create one before any risky operation:

  • game update
  • change of game mode or of major settings in dedicatedserver.cfg
  • starting a new game or importing a save

For a consistent backup, stop the server before creating it: stopping triggers a save of the game.

Keeping a copy off the server​

Regularly download the Saves folder, along with dedicatedserver.cfg and ownerswhitelist.txt, through the file manager or over SFTP (credentials under Settings → SFTP Details).

Restoring a backup​

  1. Stop the server
  2. Restore the backup from the Backups tab, or replace the folder of the slot concerned with your copy
  3. Check that SaveSlot points to that slot and that SaveMode is Continue
  4. Start the server

Starting a new game​

To start over on a new island, for example to change the game mode, there are two methods:

  1. Stop the server
  2. In dedicatedserver.cfg, change SaveSlot to a free slot (for example from 1 to 2)
  3. Set GameMode (and CustomGameModeSettings if needed) for the new game
  4. Leave SaveMode on Continue: since the slot is empty, the server creates a new game in it
  5. Start the server

The previous game stays intact in its slot: to go back to it, put the old number back in SaveSlot.

Drastic method: overwriting the current slot​

  1. Stop the server and make a backup
  2. Set SaveMode to New
  3. Start the server and wait for startup to finish: a new game is created in the SaveSlot slot
  4. Stop the server, set SaveMode back to Continue, then restart
Set SaveMode back to Continue

If you leave SaveMode on New, the server may create a fresh game on every startup and overwrite your progress. Remember to switch back to Continue right after the game has been created.

Do not delete the configuration files

To start over, only touch the save folders. Keep dedicatedserver.cfg and ownerswhitelist.txt: the latter holds your admins.

Game updates​

The server and the players must be on the same version of the game. When Sons of the Forest receives an update, make a backup from the Backups tab, then restart the server and check in the Console that it updates properly. If it stays on the old version, contact support. See also Troubleshooting.

See also​