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Saved states management

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lantzelot-swe edited this page Jun 26, 2022 · 7 revisions

The carousel supports 4 save slots for each game, it takes a snapshot of the current state in Vice. PCUAE stores all saved states in a folder named ".THEC64SAVE" in the root of the USB stick. You can import that folder in the PCUAE manager, all saved states will appear in the "Saved states" tab next to the system settings for each game. An icon is also added in the game list showing the number of saved states available for each game. When importing it will copy the entire ".THEC64SAVE" folder to the "saves" folder in the PCUAE manager, even for games not available in the PCUAE manager database. When exporting from the PCUAE manager all saved states are exported. In this way you can use the PCUAE manager as backup for your saved states.

Saved states are included when you take a backup of the database through the "Tools//backup database" menu option.

Configuring saved states version

Different versions of the Carousel adds the saved states in different folders. 1.3.2 and earlier uses the entire file name including extensions for the game file, version 1.5.2 and later uses only the file name without extension. When loading from File Loader the file name is also used. There are three options available: carousel version 1.3.2 and earlier, 1.5.2 and later or the File Loader. You have to choose which version of the Carousel you want the manager to read the saved states for. Only saved states for one option at a time is shown for the games in the gamelist views. The version that the Manager uses is configured in the "File/Preferences..." dialog. The version it currently reads saved states for is shown on the "Saved States" tab in the UI. It is possible to convert saved states saved with the 1.3.2 Carousel to the 1.5.2 version with the menu option "Tools/Convert Saved states...". It is also possible to copy saved states for the 1.5.2 carousel version to use with the File loader with the menu option "Copy Saved States to File Loader...".

Editing saved states

In the PCUAE manager you can add new saved states or edit existing ones for a specific game. You can also run an existing saved state in Vice. Each saved state contains a Vice snapshot file (.vsf), a screenshot file (.png) and a small info file that keeps track of the play time (.mta).

To add a new saved state, follow these steps:

  1. Launch the game in Vice and play to the point where you want to save.
  2. Open the Vice menu: "Snapshot//Save snapshot image..." and give it a name of your choice.
  3. Also open the Vice menu: "Snapshot//Save/stop media file..." and create a png screenshot.
  4. In the PCUAE manager, pick the saved states slot you want to use and add the .vsf file you created in step 2 to the "Vice snapshot" field. You can drag and drop it or select the file by pressing "...".
  5. Also add the screenshot you took in step 3 (drag and drop or "..." for the screenshot area).
  6. Add an optional play time. (you can type directly or use arrow up/down to increase/decrease each field).
  7. Save the game to store the changes.

Play time

When running in Vice from the PCUAE manager there is nothing that keeps track of the play time in the same way as when you run it in TheC64. So you need to manually enter a play time if you want to keep track of that. It's optional, you don't have to enter anything, you can leave it at 00:00:00 if you like.

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