Save Game File Size

[TinCow]

I just noticed that ETW save game files are MASSIVE. They seem to start at around 30mb in 1700 and mine are up to 75mb by 1720. At that rate, I'm looking at 250mb files by 1799. My save game folder is already over 2gb, and I've only played the RoI campaign and about 2 Grand Campaigns. I know hard drive space is cheap these days, but the implications of the save game file sizes is alarming. If I didn't delete the old saves, I would easily be looking at 5-10gbs within a few months. That's a major chunk of space for some silly save game files.

Does anyone know if this is working as intended or whether it's bugged?

[Calmarac]

It just staggers me that a game can be released without an option to delete game save files, whatever their size. Especially a game which uses hidden system folders to store the files, rather than the more usual Saved Games folder in the game's own directory (and of course there's no 'Screenshots' folder either)

Massive files + Hidden System Folders + no Delete button = lazy, unprofessional programming

Still, it's been addressed in the latest patch.

Save games limited to 1000

Thanks CA, that's a great help

[quadalpha]

It just staggers me that a game can be released without an option to delete game save files, whatever their size. Especially a game which uses hidden system folders to store the files, rather than the more usual Saved Games folder in the game's own directory (and of course there's no 'Screenshots' folder either)

Massive files + Hidden System Folders + no Delete button = lazy, unprofessional programming

Still, it's been addressed in the latest patch.



Thanks CA, that's a great help

The folders used are pretty standard nowadays.

[Durallan]

umm, actually they aren't. most save games I have including ones from fallout 3, go into my , my documents -> My Games. That is actually one of the worst places I have had to look for a save and I really would like the choice of where to put my saves because my C:\ drive just ain't that big and I have to delete every 10 saves which was getting a little silly

[Dradem]

ok it is getting standerd that files are saved there, but I don't wont them there I install my games on my seprate D drive for a reason. only have 250gb (for the moment) on C: and 500 on D: and 2 external 2TB drive's connected via usb.

my C is almost full already and don't need it to get any fuller from al the save games

[Quillan]

I made a save on the final turn of my GB campaign, winter 1799. It was 95 megs in size. I think the global data is probably constant in size, with the unit/fleet/army/agent data being the increase. Still, that seems incredibly huge to me.

[TinCow]

ok it is getting standerd that files are saved there, but I don't wont them there I install my games on my seprate D drive for a reason. only have 250gb (for the moment) on C: and 500 on D: and 2 external 2TB drive's connected via usb.

my C is almost full already and don't need it to get any fuller from al the save games

That's the same problem I have. My C drive is intentionally small, because it is intended to only have the OS on it for ease of formating. My D drive is where all software goes. This is standard practice for a lot of people now, and the inability to choose where your save/config folder gets stores is a very bad design.

[Wausser]

That's the same problem I have. My C drive is intentionally small, because it is intended to only have the OS on it for ease of formating. My D drive is where all software goes. This is standard practice for a lot of people now, and the inability to choose where your save/config folder gets stores is a very bad design.

Yeah I have my C drive for OS and basic programs too...




Man my saves are now 100mb...

[Monsieur Alphonse]

I have 10 save games and non is larger then 100 Mb. Most of them are of campaigns that were played beyond 1750. My French campaign (69 Mb) is smaller but further advanced then my Russian campaign (88 Mb). I had both C: en D: drives defragged before I installed Steam and ETW.

[MikeV]

I made a save on the final turn of my GB campaign, winter 1799. It was 95 megs in size. I think the global data is probably constant in size, with the unit/fleet/army/agent data being the increase. Still, that seems incredibly huge to me.

One thing I noticed is that the beginning portion of the file has a lot of text strings, in double-byte format. Needed, since we can rename things. Wasteful, because the vast majority of strings are never changed. Wonder how much other redundant and wasteful stuff is stored there ...

[MikeV]

It just staggers me that a game can be released without an option to delete game save files, whatever their size. Especially a game which uses hidden system folders to store the files, rather than the more usual Saved Games folder in the game's own directory (and of course there's no 'Screenshots' folder either)

Massive files + Hidden System Folders + no Delete button = lazy, unprofessional programming

That's it, exactly. They obviously don't think their designs through, and the sloth shows up in so many places.

Reflects badly on those of us who do a better job.

[Lemur]

Where is the dang savegame folder? I was looking for it last night ....

[Monsieur Alphonse]

For XP C:\Documents and Settings\[USERNAME]\Application Data\The Creative Assembly\Empire\save_games

For Vista something similar.

You have to unhide folders first

[Wausser]

For Vista: C:\Users\[name]\AppData\Roaming\The Creative Assembley\Empire\save_games\

[Zim]

I've got XP and the save file doesn't seem to be there.

For XP C:\Documents and Settings\[USERNAME]\Application Data\The Creative Assembly\Empire\save_games

For Vista something similar.

You have to unhide folders first

[entwo]

Application Data is a hidden folder.
Haha ok wow yeah I went looking for the save game folder too, glad I got told where it is here.
1.3 gig and I haven't even played far into a campaign yet.
At least I can delete them now heh.

[Mr Frost]

For XP C:\Documents and Settings\[USERNAME]\Application Data\The Creative Assembly\Empire\save_games

For Vista something similar.

You have to unhide folders first

Information like this really needs to be part of an uncluttered and obviously named sticky .
"Workarounds and important info" would be a good title for such a sticky .

[Skott]

That's it, exactly. They obviously don't think their designs through, and the sloth shows up in so many places.

Reflects badly on those of us who do a better job.

Yeah, I like how they said 'we are not the same team from the old TW games. We are a new team and better!'. Just proof that new doesnt always = better.