Saving and hosting multiplayer in Sons of The Forest has not been solved optimally. However, we have tinkered and screwed around and now have the solution for you, how you can share the host's save game file for all players.
What is the problem? In Sons of The Forest only the host of a save game can save and reload it. All other players are then dependent on the host having the time and desire to continue playing. If this is not the case, it is normally: Create a new save game -- but hold your horses! Guided has found out how you can change the host and unlock the save for all other players to host.
Get it done in advance: before your group can switch hosts, each teammate must have created a multiplayer lobby themselves at least once. Otherwise, you won't have the required folder, which is created when you start a co-op game.
Find your save game files: Firstly, you need to find your save file in the game files of Sons of The Forest. You won't find them in Steam's installation directory but in the AppData folder under Users. Go to the following directory:
C:Users{username}AppDataLocalLowEndnightSonsOfTheForestSaves76561198173024449
Here you will now find the three folders:
In the multiplayer folder you will find all game saves of Sons of The Forest in which you are the host. Now you have to share your score with your fellow players.
Found the save game, now you have to share it. It's easy: copy your desired save game and upload it via file sharing service like Discord or Dropbox. Your teammates will then download it and paste the folder into their own multiplayer folder. When doing this, remember the folder's 10-digit numbering, which might be "0724351720," for example.
"How do I know which folder represents which score?" Good question! It's difficult if you've already created many saves in Sons of The Forest. Let's assume you've hosted three games spread over three days.
Your guinea pig will find that when he started the lobby as host, he got your inventory, weapons and position. But there is a solution for this as well.
Above we have already described that besides the multiplayer folder there is also one called MultiplayerClient. Here you will find the saves of Sons of The Forest, in which you were not the host. Now your teammates have to find the folder that matches the host save. It will be easier for you to find it now. Again, pay attention to the date and time of the modification date, which exactly matches the host's save game. In the folder you will find seven files, from which you need to copy the following five:
Copy the files and paste them into the host folder. Confirm the process with "paste and replace". Now you have changed the host in Sons of The Forest and have successfully shared your game state.
Will it get easier soon? Yes, in the future there will be dedicated servers for Sons of The Forest and players will be able to play on the save anytime without the need for a host. However, until that happens, you will have to resort to our method. We hope we could help you with this and if you have further questions, please write us a comment or contact us via Discord (via Linktr.ee).
My sons of the forest wont show the save files once they're moved to the new PC?
Can further explain? 🙂