My Summer Car: How To Change Save Game Easily
Hey guys! Ever found yourself in a pickle with your My Summer Car save game? Maybe you wanna try a new game plus, share your progress with a friend, or even revert to an older save after a catastrophic Satsuma incident? Don't worry, you're not alone! Changing your save game in My Summer Car is a pretty straightforward process once you know where to look. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to manage your save files like a pro. So, buckle up, grab your favorite Finnish beverage, and let's dive in!
Understanding My Summer Car Save Files
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it's important to understand what exactly we're dealing with. My Summer Car saves all your progress in a single file (or rather, a couple of files working together). These files contain everything from your car's condition and the amount of money you have to your relationships with other characters and the items you've collected. Messing with these files incorrectly can lead to lost progress or even a corrupted save, so it's crucial to follow these instructions carefully.
The main save file you'll be interacting with is defaultES2File.txt. This file stores the core game data. Alongside this, there might be other files like defaultES2File.txt.bak which are backup saves. Backing up your saves is something I cannot stress enough, especially before you start experimenting. Think of it as creating a safety net for your hard-earned progress. Imagine spending hours tuning your Satsuma, only to accidentally overwrite your save with an older, less developed one! Heartbreaking, right? That's why creating backups is paramount. To back up, simply copy the defaultES2File.txt (and any .bak files) to a separate folder. Label the folder clearly, like "MSC Save Backup [Date]", so you know exactly what it contains. This way, if anything goes wrong, you can easily restore your game to its previous state.
Also, knowing where your save files are located is half the battle. By default, My Summer Car stores your save files in a specific directory within your computer's AppData folder. Navigating to this folder can be a bit tricky if you're not familiar with it, but don't worry, I'll guide you through it. The exact path is usually something like C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\LocalLow\Amistech\My Summer Car. Just replace [Your Username] with your actual Windows username. Once you're in this folder, you should see the defaultES2File.txt and any associated backup files. If you're having trouble finding the AppData folder, make sure you have "Hidden items" enabled in your File Explorer settings. To do this, open File Explorer, click on the "View" tab, and check the box next to "Hidden items". This will reveal any hidden folders, including AppData. Remember, AppData is a hidden folder by default to prevent accidental modification of important application data, so proceed with caution when poking around in there. Once you've located your save files, you're ready to start making changes, but always remember to back up first!
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Save Game
Alright, let's get down to business! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to change your My Summer Car save game. Follow these instructions carefully, and you'll be swapping saves like a pro in no time.
Step 1: Locating Your Save Game Folder
As mentioned earlier, the first step is to find your My Summer Car save game folder. Navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\LocalLow\Amistech\My Summer Car, replacing [Your Username] with your actual Windows username. If you can't see the AppData folder, make sure "Hidden items" is enabled in File Explorer (View > Hidden items). Once you're in the correct folder, you should see the defaultES2File.txt file, which is your main save game.
Step 2: Backing Up Your Current Save Game
This is the most important step! Before you do anything else, create a backup of your current save game. Copy the defaultES2File.txt file (and any .bak files) to a safe location, such as a new folder on your desktop or in your documents. Label the folder clearly, like "MSC Save Backup [Date]", so you know exactly what it contains. This way, if anything goes wrong, you can easily restore your game to its previous state. Backups are your best friend in these situations, so don't skip this step!
Step 3: Choosing the Save Game You Want to Use
Now that you've backed up your current save, you need to choose the save game you want to use. This could be a backup you created earlier, a save you downloaded from a friend, or even a fresh save you started in a separate game. Make sure the save file you want to use is named defaultES2File.txt. If it has a different name (like defaultES2File.txt.bak or "My Friend's Save.txt"), you'll need to rename it to defaultES2File.txt. Be careful not to accidentally overwrite any important files during this process.
Step 4: Replacing Your Current Save Game
Once you have the save file you want to use and it's named defaultES2File.txt, it's time to replace your current save game. Copy the defaultES2File.txt file from its location to your My Summer Car save game folder (C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\LocalLow\Amistech\My Summer Car). When prompted, choose to replace the existing defaultES2File.txt file. This will overwrite your current save with the new save game you've chosen.
Step 5: Launching My Summer Car and Enjoying Your New Save
That's it! You've successfully changed your My Summer Car save game. Now, launch the game and load your save. You should see the progress from the save file you just copied. If everything looks good, congratulations! You're now a master of save game manipulation. If something went wrong, don't panic. Just restore your backup from Step 2, and try again.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Even with the best instructions, things can sometimes go wrong. Here are some common issues you might encounter when changing your My Summer Car save game, and how to troubleshoot them.
Game Not Loading or Crashing
If your game is not loading or crashing after changing your save game, it's likely that the save file is corrupted or incompatible with your current game version. First, make sure you're using a save file that's compatible with your game version. If you're using an outdated save, it might not work with the latest version of My Summer Car. If the save is corrupted, try restoring an older backup. If you don't have a backup, you might be out of luck, and you'll need to start a new game.
Missing Progress or Items
If you're missing progress or items after changing your save game, it's possible that you accidentally loaded an older save file. Double-check the save file you copied to make sure it's the correct one. If you're still missing progress, try restoring an even older backup. It's also possible that the save file is partially corrupted, in which case you might need to start a new game.
Save Game Not Appearing in the Load Menu
If your save game is not appearing in the load menu, make sure the defaultES2File.txt file is in the correct folder (C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\LocalLow\Amistech\My Summer Car). Also, make sure the file is named exactly defaultES2File.txt and not something else (like defaultES2File.txt.bak or "My Save.txt"). If the file is in the correct folder and named correctly, try restarting the game. Sometimes, the game might not recognize the new save file until it's restarted.
Game is in Finnish
My Summer Car is set in Finland, and as such some aspects of the game will be in Finnish, but it is not directly related to save files. There are fan-made language packs if you prefer, but it will not affect the gameplay, but can greatly improve it.
Tips and Tricks for Managing Your Save Games
Here are some extra tips and tricks to help you manage your My Summer Car save games more effectively.
- Create Regular Backups: Make it a habit to create regular backups of your save game, especially before making any major changes to your car or progressing far in the game. This will give you a safety net in case something goes wrong.
- Label Your Backups Clearly: When creating backups, label them clearly with the date and any relevant information (like "Before Engine Build" or "After Rally Win"). This will make it easier to find the right backup when you need it.
- Use a Save Game Manager: There are several save game managers available online that can help you automate the process of backing up and restoring your save games. These tools can save you time and effort, and they can also help you keep your save games organized.
- Share Save Games with Friends: Sharing save games with friends can be a fun way to experience different aspects of the game. For example, you could share a save with a fully upgraded Satsuma or a save with a lot of money. Just make sure you trust the person you're sharing with, as they could potentially mess up your save game.
Conclusion
Changing your My Summer Car save game might seem daunting at first, but it's actually a pretty simple process once you know the steps. By following this guide and taking the necessary precautions (like creating backups), you can easily manage your save games and enjoy the game to its fullest. Whether you're looking to experiment with different builds, share your progress with friends, or simply revert to an older save after a mishap, knowing how to change your save game is a valuable skill for any My Summer Car player. So go forth, tinker with your Satsuma, and don't be afraid to experiment. And remember, always back up your saves!
Now go have fun with your newly changed My Summer Car save game, and enjoy the chaotic, hilarious, and sometimes frustrating world of Finnish car ownership!