Where Are Heart of the Machine Save Files Located?
Heart of the Machine saves inside its own install folder, so uninstalling or verifying files can wipe your runs.
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Heart of the Machine breaks the usual rules by saving inside its own Steam install folder, under PlayerData/Saves. Saves, autosaves, checkpoints and timelines each get their own extension, and settings sit beside them in PlayerData/Settings.
Install-folder saves are fragile by nature. Uninstalling the game deletes the runs with it, and overzealous verify operations have eaten saves in Arcen titles before. Keep a copy of PlayerData outside the Steam library and this quirk never bites.
Where Heart of the Machine stores this, by platform
[Steam]\steamapps\common\HeartOfTheMachine\PlayerData\Saves
Saves use .save, .autosave, .checkpoint and .timeline extensions. Settings live in PlayerData/Settings beside them. Back up PlayerData before uninstalling.
Frequently asked questions
Does uninstalling Heart of the Machine delete saves?
Yes, since saves live inside the install folder. Copy PlayerData elsewhere before uninstalling or the runs go with the game.
What are .timeline files in Heart of the Machine?
Alternate timeline branches of a run, stored beside the main .save files. They restore the same way: copy them back into PlayerData/Saves.
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