Is there a way to put the save files in a different directory than the ROM?

Bomblord

I'm toying around with using a retrode to play game roms straight from the cart however while I can get it to read fine writing the save file is a completely different matter. Is there a setting I can change somewhere (I am mildly comfortable with editing files and programming with python) to make the games save in a different directory? I didn't see anything relevant in the emulationstation.cfg file any help on this would be appreciated.

mitu

Please give more details about your setup - https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first. What emulator/system are you using ? Saving is emulator dependans.

Bomblord

Hello and thanks per the information requested in that post:

Pi Model: pi 3b (non plus)
Power Supply: Canakit 5v
RetroPie Version Used: I'm not sure where to check this I apologize
Built From: I installed it on an SD card using Rufus
USB Devices connected: Retrode 2
Controller used: 8bitdo SN30Pro
Emulator: Default SNES emulator which appears to be lr-snes9x2010

mitu

@bomblord Since you're using a RetroArch core for emulator, you need to set the save folder for the lr-snes9x2010 core using the system's retroarch.cfg, in the /opt/retropie/configs/snes/ folder or using the RetroArch RGUI (press Select + X while in game) menu to change the save folders.

Bomblord

@mitu

Oh that seems simple enough thanks I will try it when I get a chance. Just to be sure, what exactly in the retroarch.cfg file should I edit to make sure the save files are written to a different directory than the roms? Will it be obvious once I open the file?

mitu

@bomblord Try the RGUI first, it's easier. Once you set the values use 'Save Core Overrides' to save it permanently. In the config file, I think the settings are called savestate_directory and savefile_directory (both should be a folder location).

Bomblord

@mitu
Awesome thanks for the information that will definitely help.

mark1986

What ive done on my build is create custom retroarch.cfg files for each console and then override the save directories for each console.

For e.g. my snes config file in found in the following folder /opt/retropie/configs/snes, inside this folder I have a retroarch.cfg file which has

savefile_directory = "/home/pi/RetroPie/saves/snes"
savestate_directory = "/home/pi/RetroPie/saves/snes"

#include "/opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch.cfg"

I then have a folder names saves @ /home/pi/RetroPie/saves/ which has folders for each console

cyperghost

@bomblord I've written a script for your usecase a few months ago.
Take a look here: SavePath a small script to set SRM and Savestate location
So you don't need to hack around every single retroarch.cfg.

DRA6N

@mark1986 would you mind elaborating on how you did this? I have my games booting from USB, and want my saves to go to my USB as well so I can take it out and put it in my handheld and resume save state