save system

Game state storage

A save system is the mechanism in a video game that allows players to record and later resume their progress.

Different games use different approaches: some offer manual saves at any point, others restrict saving to designated checkpoints or safe rooms, and some use autosave to record progress automatically.

The design of a save system significantly affects gameplay—generous saving encourages experimentation, while restrictive saving raises stakes and tension.

The game's checkpoint-only save system made boss fights more nerve-wracking.

Related

progress · slot · file · backup · memory card · continue · resume · savestate · overwrite · corruption · cloud sync · hard drive · data · respawn · death · game over · retry · new game plus

Categories
Opposites
progress persistence

save systempermadeath

Irreversible character termination

hardcore mode · roguelike

Family

save, system, saves, saved, saving, savings, savior, saviour, safe

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G