Saved games - syncing between multiple computers

[StealthB2X]

Is there a way to transfer save games through steam?

Ie I have EHM:EA on both my desktop and laptop (recently bought laptop), now I spend equal amounts of time on/near both. Anyway, I was wondering if there was a way to load up save games from either computer at any given time, or if this could be supported. (I assume I'd probably be able to find the save game or something and use my external harddrive to transfer the save game manually which would just be a hassle.) Anyway, I was just wondering. Thanks!

[archibalduk]

For certain games you can use a feature in Steam called Steam Cloud which keeps your saved games synced with the cloud. This isn't available for all games and I haven't checked whether it is available for EHM:EA (I doubt it somehow). In any event, I have read that Steam Cloud is actually rather unreliable.

An alternative solution is to use something like Google Drive or Dropbox. Both of these allow you to sync chosen folders with your account. So you could sync your EHM saved game folder (and also your tactics, etc folders) with your Google/Dropbox account on both computers. In fact, I imagine you could also sync things like your facepacks and logos folders between computers.

Regardless of the method you chose, you'll obviously need to keep in mind that saved game files can reach several hundred megabytes and so you'll need a decent connection to keep syncing.

[dabo]

I have never had a problem with Steam Cloud and I miss that feature in EHM.

[StealthB2X]

For certain games you can use a feature in Steam called Steam Cloud which keeps your saved games synced with the cloud. This isn't available for all games and I haven't checked whether it is available for EHM:EA (I doubt it somehow). In any event, I have read that Steam Cloud is actually rather unreliable.

An alternative solution is to use something like Google Drive or Dropbox. Both of these allow you to sync chosen folders with your account. So you could sync your EHM saved game folder (and also your tactics, etc folders) with your Google/Dropbox account on both computers. In fact, I imagine you could also sync things like your facepacks and logos folders between computers.

Regardless of the method you chose, you'll obviously need to keep in mind that saved game files can reach several hundred megabytes and so you'll need a decent connection to keep syncing.

Alright, so where can I find my save games to move them to dropbox, or where ever. I've checked Program files and can't seem to find them.

I also found out I can stream directly through steam (that's a tongue twister. LOL) But I obviously need to have EHM running on the desktop, and the desktop on. (where my main gamesave is.)

[KevT90]

C:\Users\''your name/computer name''\Documents\Sports Interactive\EHM\games

[StealthB2X]

Honestly not sure how I missed that.

Considering I looked in documents.
Thanks!

[StealthB2X]

Just another quick question, just downloaded Dropbox and I'm probably gunna end up using it and all.

So I have to upload the savegame after each time I play through? (if I choose to switch between computers) If so that's abit of a deal breaker considering my temperamental internet connection.

[archibalduk]

So I have to upload the savegame after each time I play through?

Yes of course. Otherwise you won't have the most up to date copy of your saved game being synced with your other computer.

[StealthB2X]

Yeah, I just realized it doesn't reupload the file automatically with each change. That's what I was trying to ask.

It's actually no big deal cause it doesn't take /THAT/ long to upload the save, 20 minutes tops. When I started though it was saying upwards of an hour. Jeez. LOL

Thanks for the help!

[Job]

Yeah, I just realized it doesn't reupload the file automatically with each change. That's what I was trying to ask.

It's actually no big deal cause it doesn't take /THAT/ long to upload the save, 20 minutes tops. When I started though it was saying upwards of an hour. Jeez. LOL

Thanks for the help!

Why don't you just use a usb key and save 20 mins + some bandwidth?

[StealthB2X]

I have a terrible tendency of... losing USB sticks. Every freaking time! So I avoid them, for the most part.

[Primis]

Is there a way to transfer save games through steam?

Ie I have EHM:EA on both my desktop and laptop (recently bought laptop), now I spend equal amounts of time on/near both. Anyway, I was wondering if there was a way to load up save games from either computer at any given time, or if this could be supported. (I assume I'd probably be able to find the save game or something and use my external harddrive to transfer the save game manually which would just be a hassle.) Anyway, I was just wondering. Thanks!

One other option is that you can use Steam to stream games from another machine with Steam installed. I tested EHM:EA and it works. Not as well as something like Splashtop Remote Desktop, but it works ok.

[StealthB2X]

Yeah, I tried that, and then started using dropbox.

The issue with streaming sometimes is lack of internet connection.

But all in all I've figured it out, is there any word on whether they're gunna stick with it and get passed the beta stage and release a fully polished game?

[LAKingsGeek]

I know this thread is a bit old but there is a free program called GameSave Manager which uses whichever cloud service you have (dropbox, google drive, etc.) and syncs your game saves automatically. For well known games it can find them automatically, for something like EHM you'll have to point it to the gamesave folder. Only takes a few minutes and after that it's automatic. It's been a while and my memory is a bit hazy but I am pretty sure i tested it out on EHM 2007 and it worked.

Just download version 3.1, not the new prototype 4.0.

[archibalduk]

Nice! Thanks for pointing that out.

Looks like this is their homepage: http://www.gamesave-manager.com/

[LAKingsGeek]

Update: I've been trying to get GameSave Manager to work with EHM but so far it's been difficult. GSM's sync&link option creates symbolic links to your cloud service of choice but EHM doesn't seem to recognize symbolic links. I'm still working on it to see if there is some kind of solution. Perhaps I can create my own hard links without the help of GSM. I'm trying to wrap my head around the different types of links.

UPDATE 2: I think I have it working. I was able to do it without GSM instead just creating my own symbolic links using something called Link File Extension. I still have to test it on my second computer but I'm pretty sure it will work. I'm off to lunch but i'll post some instructions when I get back.

[LAKingsGeek]

After unsuccessfully attempting to sync my EHM save files using GSM I tried to do it manually using symbolic links since that's what GSM is trying to do anyway. I'm pretty sure I've got it working but I have to try it out on the second PC (Update: It works on both PCs). Here's my attempt at a guide for setting it up. Please note that this is on a Windows 7 machine.

Sync your EHM game files across multiple PCs

Prerequisites
-The first thing you'll want to do is set up an account with a cloud service such as Google Drive or Dropbox if you don't already have one. You'll also want to use the local install for either of those service so it creates a local folder that automatically syncs whatever files are in there to the cloud.
-You will also need to install the Link Shell Extension. This is an Windows Explorer extension that lets you create different types of symbolic links. You can download it here:
http://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinkshel ... ml#contact
Note that I did not have to download the prerequisite packages. I just installed the extension and it worked. Your mileage may vary. Make sure to download the appropriate version for your PC (x64 or x86). It should prompt you to restart explorer when the install is done. The program won't work until this is done. This can also be accomplished by logging in and out of windows. You'll know it's working if you right click on a folder somewhere and there is a new option in the context menu to "Pick Link Source"

Steps
1) BACKUP YOUR EHM GAME FILES! Better to be safe than sorry. Copy the entire Sports Interactive folder located in C:\Users\<username>\Documents\ to some other area on your computer such as your desktop or the Downloads folder. Whatever makes you feel safe.
2) Copy the entire Sports Interactive folder to your Google Drive or Dropbox folder. Google Drive is usually located in C:\Users\<username>\Google Drive. I think Dropbox stores it's folder in your Documents folder. Anything stored in those folders will be automatically synced to the cloud by the Google Drive or Dropbox app that runs in your system tray. It will not sync if the app isn't running. If your saved game files are large it might take some time before the sync is complete so give it some time. You can usually check the status of your syncs if you look at the respective cloud app in the system tray. You can click on it and it will show whether not a sync is in progress.
3) Go ahead and DELETE the original Sports Interactive folder found in your Documents library. Don't worry, you should have now TWO copies of that folder and all of your precious careers, one in the cloud and one stored somewhere else on your computer from step 1.
4) Open up your local cloud folder. In my case it's my Google Drive folder located at C:\Users\<username>\Google Drive. Right click on the Sports Interactive folder and choose "Pick Link Source" from the context menu.
5) Now you'll want to navigate to your windows profile folder. It is usually located at C:\Users\<username>. Inside this folder you should also see a "My Documents" folder. Right click on "My Documents" and choose Drop As...>Symbolic Link. This should create a symbolic Link to the Sports Interactive folder located in Google Drive. It's basically tricking the computer into thinking the SI directory is located in My Documents when it is actually located in your cloud folder.
6) You can now open up EHM and choose Load Game to make sure all of your saved files are being recognized. Anytime you save your game the cloud service should automatically sync that file to the cloud.
7)To sync your saved games to a second or third or fourth computer you basically go through the same procedure except you can skip steps 1 & 2. As soon as you install the cloud service application on your computer and log in it should automatically sync whatever files are in the cloud to a local google drive or dropbox folder. I'm assuming the second PC doesn't have any important saved games on it. If it does I'm sure you can figure out how to copy them to the cloud before performing step 3.