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How to create save/load systems with list data in Scratch

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SS

SaveSystem_Expert

Posted on July 24, 2025 • Advanced

💾 Need help with save/load system for lists!

Hey everyone! I’m working on a complex RPG project that needs to save and load multiple types of data:

  • 📊 Player inventory (lists of items)
  • 🎯 Quest progress and completion status
  • 🏆 Achievement unlocks and statistics
  • 🗺️ Map exploration data
  • ⚙️ Game settings and preferences

I found a basic save/load tutorial, but it only handles simple variables. How can I modify it to save and restore entire lists? I need a system that can handle complex data structures reliably! 🤔

DS

DataStorage_Pro

Replied 8 hours later • ⭐ Best Answer

Perfect question @SaveSystem_Expert! Saving lists requires encoding them into a single string format. Let me show you the complete system:

🔧 Understanding List Encoding

The key is converting your list data into a string format that can be saved, then decoding it back when loading:

flowchart TD A[📋 Original Lists] --> B[🔄 Encode to String] B --> C[💾 Save String] C --> D[📁 Storage] D --> E[📖 Load String] E --> F[🔄 Decode to Lists] F --> G[📋 Restored Lists] H[Example: Apple,Sword,Potion] --> I[Encoded: Apple|Sword|Potion] I --> J[Decoded: Apple,Sword,Potion] style A fill:#e1f5fe style G fill:#e8f5e8 style D fill:#fff3e0

💾 Complete Save System

Here’s a robust system that can save multiple lists and variables:

    // Master save function
define save game data
set [save code v] to []

// Save player stats
set [save code v] to (join (save code) (join [STATS:] (join (player level) (join [,] (join (player health) (join [,] (player experience)))))))
set [save code v] to (join (save code) [|])

// Save inventory list
set [save code v] to (join (save code) [INVENTORY:])
encode list [inventory v] with separator [,]
set [save code v] to (join (save code) (encoded result))
set [save code v] to (join (save code) [|])

// Save quest progress
set [save code v] to (join (save code) [QUESTS:])
encode list [quest progress v] with separator [,]
set [save code v] to (join (save code) (encoded result))
set [save code v] to (join (save code) [|])

// Display save code to user
say (save code) for (10) seconds
ask [Copy this save code and keep it safe!] and wait
  
    // List encoding function
define encode list (list name) with separator (separator)
set [encoded result v] to []
set [list index v] to [1]

repeat (length of (list name))
if <(list index) = [1]> then
set [encoded result v] to (item (list index) of (list name))
else
set [encoded result v] to (join (encoded result) (join (separator) (item (list index) of (list name))))
end
change [list index v] by (1)
end

📖 Complete Load System

The corresponding load system that decodes everything back:

    // Master load function
define load game data
ask [Enter your save code:] and wait
set [save code v] to (answer)
set [decode position v] to [1]

// Parse each section
repeat until <(decode position) > (length of (save code))>
extract next section

if <(section type) = [STATS]> then
decode stats data
end

if <(section type) = [INVENTORY]> then
decode list data to [inventory v]
end

if <(section type) = [QUESTS]> then
decode list data to [quest progress v]
end
end

say [Game loaded successfully!] for (3) seconds
  
    // Section extraction function
define extract next section
set [section data v] to []
set [section type v] to []
set [reading type v] to [true]

repeat until <<(letter (decode position) of (save code)) = [|]> or <(decode position) > (length of (save code))>>
set [current char v] to (letter (decode position) of (save code))

if <(reading type) = [true]> then
if <(current char) = [:]> then
set [reading type v] to [false]
else
set [section type v] to (join (section type) (current char))
end
else
set [section data v] to (join (section data) (current char))
end

change [decode position v] by (1)
end

change [decode position v] by (1)  // Skip the | separator
  
    // List decoding function
define decode list data to (target list)
delete all of (target list)
set [current item v] to []
set [char index v] to [1]

repeat (length of (section data))
set [char v] to (letter (char index) of (section data))

if <(char) = [,]> then
if <not <(current item) = []>> then
add (current item) to (target list)
end
set [current item v] to []
else
set [current item v] to (join (current item) (char))
end

change [char index v] by (1)
end

// Add the last item
if <not <(current item) = []>> then
add (current item) to (target list)
end

⚡ Advanced Features

Add these enhancements for a professional save system:

1. Save Validation

    // Validate save code before loading
define validate save code (code)
set [valid v] to [true]

// Check for required sections
if <not <(code) contains [STATS:]>> then
set [valid v] to [false]
end
if <not <(code) contains [INVENTORY:]>> then
set [valid v] to [false]
end

if <(valid) = [false]> then
say [Invalid save code!] for (3) seconds
stop [this script v]
end

2. Multiple Save Slots

    // Save to specific slot
define save to slot (slot number)
set [current save slot v] to (slot number)
save game data
set [save slot data v] to (join (join [SLOT] (slot number)) (join [:] (save code)))

// Add to master save list
if <(length of [save slots v]) < (slot number)> then
add (save slot data) to [save slots v]
else
replace item (slot number) of [save slots v] with (save slot data)
end

3. Auto-Save Feature

    // Auto-save every 2 minutes
when flag clicked
forever
wait (120) seconds  // 2 minutes
if <(game active) = [true]> then
save to slot [auto]
say [Auto-saved!] for (1) seconds
end
end

This system can handle any amount of data and is completely reliable! 💾

SS

SaveSystem_Expert

Replied 4 hours later

@DataStorage_Pro This is absolutely incredible! 🤩

The encoding/decoding system is exactly what I needed. I love how it handles multiple data types and the validation system prevents corrupted saves. The auto-save feature is a brilliant addition too!

Implemented this in my RPG and it works flawlessly. Players can now save their entire game state with a simple code. Thank you so much! 🙏

CS

CloudSave_Ninja

Replied 6 hours later

Excellent system! For those wanting even more advanced features, here’s how to add compression to reduce save code length:

    // Simple compression for repeated data
define compress data (input)
set [compressed v] to []
set [last char v] to []
set [count v] to [0]

repeat (length of (input))
set [current char v] to (letter (position) of (input))

if <(current char) = (last char)> then
change [count v] by (1)
else
if <(count) > [1]> then
set [compressed v] to (join (compressed) (join (count) (last char)))
else
if <not <(last char) = []>> then
set [compressed v] to (join (compressed) (last char))
end
end
set [last char v] to (current char)
set [count v] to [1]
end
end

This can reduce save code size by 30-50% for games with repetitive data! 📦

RD

RPGDeveloper_Sam

Replied 8 hours later

For RPG developers, here are some specific data types you might want to save:

🎮 RPG Save Data Categories:
  • Character Stats: Level, HP, MP, attributes
  • Equipment: Equipped items, inventory contents
  • Progress: Story flags, completed quests
  • World State: Discovered locations, NPC interactions
  • Settings: Difficulty, audio levels, controls
    // Example RPG save structure
define save rpg data
set [save code v] to [RPG_SAVE_V1.0|]

// Character data
set [save code v] to (join (save code) (join [CHAR:] (join (player name) (join [,] (join (player level) (join [,] (join (player hp) (join [,] (player mp)))))))))
set [save code v] to (join (save code) [|])

// Equipment slots
set [save code v] to (join (save code) [EQUIP:])
encode list [equipped items v] with separator [,]
set [save code v] to (join (save code) (encoded result))
set [save code v] to (join (save code) [|])

// Story progress
set [save code v] to (join (save code) [STORY:])
encode list [story flags v] with separator [,]
set [save code v] to (join (save code) (encoded result))

This structure makes it easy to expand your save system as your game grows! 🏰

VB

Vibelf_Community

Pinned Message • Moderator

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