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OVERVIEW

Computer rentals are typically configured with Deep Freeze to prevent any installations or changes after a restart, which also means that data from offline games is not saved. This application solves this issue by saving game data to a shared network folder, ensuring that game progress is preserved even after system restarts.

Auto-Save-n-Load is a VB.NET application that provides a secure and efficient way to manage game data and user sessions across different users on a shared network. It handles authentication folder management for game saves, and user-specific configurations, allowing each user to have separate game save folders.

Features

  • Effortless Registration and Login: Users can easily register and log in to their accounts, ensuring that their game progress is automatically saved on the server for seamless access.
  • User Login / Public Save Directory: Players can choose between a personal login for private saves or access a public directory for shared game progress.
  • Dynamic Game Directory Management: Admin can manually add their game directories, or simply click the Update" button to automatically retrieve the latest game list available on the github repository:

Installation and Setup

Prerequisites

  • Windows OS
  • Administrative privileges (required for symbolic link creation)

Setup Instructions

1. Share a Folder on the Network

Before you begin, ensure that a shared folder is available on your network to store user and game data. Follow the instructions for sharing a folder in Windows:

Make sure that all users who need access to the application have the necessary permissions to read from and write to this shared folder.

2. Download the Application

3. Install the Application

  • Extract the files from the zip.

4. Set Up the XML Files

  • Create a shared folder on your network or local machine.
  • Edit settings.xml using notepad and provide the shared folder network link

settings.xml (Sample)

192.168.1.100 is IP address of pc Server while saves is the name of the shared folder

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Variable>
  <sharedFolder>\\192.168.1.100\Saves\</sharedFolder>
</Variable>

or you can do this

YourComputerName is your computer name of pc Server

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Variable>
  <sharedFolder>\\YourComputerName\Saves\</sharedFolder>
</Variable>

5. Run the Application

  • Execute the application.
  • Ensure administrative privileges are granted.

Client-Side Setup Instructions

1. Create a Shortcut

  • Create a shortcut file of the application on your desktop.
  • Right-click the shortcut, select Properties, and check the box for Run as administrator under the Shortcut tab.

2. Copy the Shortcut to Startup

  • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  • Type shell:startup and press Enter.
  • Copy the shortcut you created in the previous step and paste it into the Startup folder.

Path Structure Rules for adding game's save directories

  • %appdata%: C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Roaming
  • %userprofile%: C:\Users\<Username>
  • %localappdata%: C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local
  • %programdata%: C:\ProgramData

please follow these rules to ensure proper functionality:

  • One-Level Deep Paths: These paths contain a single folder immediately under the specified system folder. For example, a path like %userprofile%\Documents\MyGame\ is considered one-level deep because "MyGame" is directly under "Documents."
  • Two-Level Deep Paths: These paths consist of two nested folders under the specified system folder. For instance, a path like %userprofile%\AppData\Local\MyGame\Saves\ is two-level deep, as "MyGame" is a folder under "Local" and "Saves" is a subfolder under "MyGame."

Here are specific examples of each type of path:

1. %appdata%

  • Description: Points to the Application Data folder for the current user.

    • One Level Deep:

      <game>
  <name>Red Dead Redemption 2</name>
  <path>%appdata%\.1911\</path>
</game>
      • Save Folder: \.1911\ (One level deep)

    • Two Levels Deep:

      <game>
  <name>Red Dead Redemption 2</name>
  <path>%appdata%\.1911\Red Dead Redemption 2\</path>
</game>
      • Save Folder: \.1911\Red Dead Redemption 2\ (Two levels deep)

2. %userprofile%

  • Description: Points to the user’s profile directory.

    • One Level Deep:

      <game>
  <name>The Sims 4</name>
  <path>%userprofile%\Documents\Electronic Arts\</path>
</game>
      • Save Folder: \Documents\Electronic Arts\ (One level deep)

    • Two Levels Deep:

      <game>
  <name>Warhammer 40000 - Space Marine 2</name>
  <path>%userprofile%\AppData\Local\Saber\Space Marine 2\</path>
</game>
      • Save Folder: \AppData\Local\Saber\Space Marine 2\ (Two levels deep)

    • Additional Examples:

      <game>
  <name>Amedama</name>
  <path>%USERPROFILE%/AppData/LocalLow/Izanagigames/</path>
</game>
<game>
  <name>NBA 2K22</name>
  <path>%userprofile%\Documents\Steam\CODEX\1644960</path>
</game>
<game>
  <name>Mortal Kombat 11</name>
  <path>%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\EMPRESS\976310</path>
</game>
<game>
  <name>Devil May Cry 5 Fitgirl</name>
  <path>%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\HOODLUM</path>
</game>
<game>
  <name>The Witcher 3</name>
  <path>%userprofile%\Documents\The Witcher 3</path>
</game>
<game>
  <name>Last of Us Part 1</name>
  <path>%userprofile%\Saved Games\The Last of Us Part I\</path>
</game>
<game>
  <name>Alan Wake 2</name>
  <path>%userprofile%\AppData\Local\Remedy\AlanWake2</path>
</game>
<game>
  <name>GTA IV</name>
  <path>%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Goldberg SocialClub Emu Saves\GTA IV\</path>
</game>

3. %localappdata%

  • Description: Points to the Local Application Data folder for the current user.

    • One Level Deep:

      <game>
  <name>MyGame</name>
  <path>%localappdata%\MyGame\</path>
</game>
      • Save Folder: \MyGame\ (One level deep)

    • Two Levels Deep:

      <game>
  <name>MyGame</name>
  <path>%localappdata%\MyGame\Saves\</path>
</game>
      • Save Folder: \MyGame\Saves\ (Two levels deep)

4. %programdata%

  • Description: Points to the Program Data folder, which is accessible to all users.

    • One Level Deep:

      <game>
  <name>MyApp</name>
  <path>%programdata%\MyApp\</path>
</game>
      • Save Folder: \MyApp\ (One level deep)

    • Two Levels Deep:

      <game>
  <name>MyApp</name>
  <path>%programdata%\MyApp\Data\</path>
</game>
      • Save Folder: \MyApp\Data\ (Two levels deep)