[Script] Dated backups

[Sheldrake]

Hello everyone!

 

I recently got my alt character right where I wanted her for the Dawnguard DLC when I overwrote the savegame with my main. I'm sure almost everyone who has played The Elder Scrolls has done this, and depending on the situation I have found limited (if any) options for those with this issue. While contemplating the loss of my alt, I came up with a solution:

 

Simply put, my idea is a script that copies a character's .ess file each time you save it. The files would be stored in a specified location, and would be dated. For example:

Main save: Sheldrake.ess

 

I save it on January 1st, 2012 at 6:00PM

The script would copy that save file to a specified location. For me, this is a folder called "SkyrimBackup", located in "My Documents".

The copied file would be renamed to: Sheldrake(01-01-2012-1800).ess

 

Let's say I save it again at 11:30PM, just before I go to sleep.

Once again, the script would copy the save file to the "SkyrimBackup" folder.

This time it would be renamed to: "Sheldrake(01-01-2012-1800).ess

 

This would continue for as many savegames as I have, and would activate each time I saved. Right now I'm thinking that the mod itself would be a .ess file that would read from a configuration (.ini) file. When installing the mod, the user would specify the game's save location, as well as the backup location.

 

I'm not asking for this to be made (hence the thread being in Mod Talk as opposed to Mod Requests). Rather, I wish to know if my idea or something similar would be possible with the tools we currently have. Any input would be much appreciated.

 

- Sheldrake :3

[Galacticat42]

Unfortunately the game requires a certain naming convention for saves. Your best bet would be to use a save manager and organize your saves that way.

[generalmx]

Unfortunately the game requires a certain naming convention for saves. Your best bet would be to use a save manager and organize your saves that way.

 

Actually no, it doesn't. Just in-game it uses a different naming scheme than the files themselves.

 

Anyway, a long time ago I made such a save backup script kit for Windows here -- http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/109

 

Can technically work with any game by changing the batch file's variables at the top.