How to Transfer Pirated Save to Paid Game on Steam: Elden Ring Guide
Are you an avid gamer who wanted to try out Elden Ring before deciding to purchase it? Many players resort to trying a pirated version before committing to buying a game, especially for massive titles. If you’ve invested time into a pirated version of Elden Ring and are now ready to jump into the official paid version on Steam, you might be wondering if it is possible to transfer your saved game progress. While this process isn’t straightforward and comes with limitations, we’ll guide you through the steps and considerations involved.
Understanding Save Files in Elden Ring
Save files in Elden Ring, like many other games, are typically tied to specific accounts or profiles. For the Steam version of Elden Ring, your saves are associated with your SteamID, which means that the saved game files from a pirated version will not automatically align with your official Steam account. This can lead to difficulties in transferring progress between different versions of the game.
Necessary Tools
Before we begin, you’ll need a few tools to facilitate the transfer. Here’s what you should have prepared:
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Elden Ring Save Manager: This is a crucial tool that allows you to manage your saves easily. It can help you modify the SteamID associated with your saves.
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File Explorer: You’ll need this to navigate to the save file locations on your computer.
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A good understanding of your SteamID: This is essential since you’ll need to replace the SteamID in the saves to accurately reflect your account.
Step-by-Step Guide to Transfer Saves
Follow these steps to try transferring your pirated save to the paid version of Elden Ring on Steam. The process includes making edits to ensure that the saves match with your official account profile.
Step 1: Locate Your Save Files
For the pirated version, the save files are typically found in a specific directory. This might vary depending on where you’ve installed the game. Generally, look in folders named similar to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\EldenRing\ Saved\
or similar directories.
For the Steam version, the saves are usually located in:
C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\EldenRing\<SteamID>\
.
Make sure to have both locations handy.
Step 2: Copy the Pirated Save File
Open the directory of the pirated version and copy the relevant save file(s). These files often have extensions like .save
or a similar format.
Step 3: Edit Your SteamID
Using the Elden Ring Save Manager, you can begin the process of editing the save files. Open the application and import the pirated save file you copied.
Once you’ve loaded the save file in the tool, look for the option that allows you to change the SteamID. Replace the SteamID to match your official Steam account. This step is crucial since the game needs to recognize the save file as belonging to your Steam account for it to work correctly.
Step 4: Paste the Edited Save File
After you’ve edited the SteamID, you need to save the changes and then copy the modified file to the Steam saves directory we mentioned earlier. Be careful to replace the existing file if a save already exists, or simply add it if there are no conflicts.
Step 5: Launch Elden Ring on Steam
Now that you have placed your modified save in the correct directory, it’s time to launch Elden Ring through Steam. Upon starting the game, check if your progress from the pirated version is visible and accessible.
Important Considerations
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Game Integrity: Keep in mind that using pirated versions of games can breach copyright laws and terms of service. Moving forward with the official game support is always recommended.
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Risk of Loss: Modifying save files poses a risk, and there’s always the possibility that the files could corrupt or be lost. Always back up original save files before making any changes.
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Compatibility Issues: Some users have reported that not all saves transfer seamlessly. Depending on game updates, features, or DLCs, there could be discrepancies that might affect gameplay.
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Limitations Based on Profile: The ability to use altered saves greatly depends on how the game handles progress and whether the user account has been established to reflect the pirated version’s content.
Conclusion
While transitioning from a pirated version of Elden Ring to the official Steam version isn’t a simple task, it’s doable with the right tools and knowledge. However, it’s advisable to build your progress anew while supporting developers by buying games legally. Happy gaming, and explore the fantastical world of Elden Ring to its fullest!