Multiple Saves

[Aeroblast]

So as everyone knows, only one save can be associated with one copy of the game.

Would you like to see this tradition break in the future by allowing for multiple saves in one cartridge? Do you ever see it happening? (Of course, I'm only talking about main series)

 

[Imperator161]

I would like to see multiple saves on a cartridge (preferably with a way to trade between them), but I gave up on that happening years ago. Personally, I like playing through the games multiple times, but don't like to get rid of my existing save files to do so. Extra save files would be great for this.

Years ago, I recall hearing some excuse that there couldn't be extra save files because of the way the Pokedex was programmed, or something like that. Whether that was true at the time of RBY or not, I have a feeling that it isn't true today. However, Game Freak likely knows that it can make more money by forcing fans to buy extra games for more save files, so why change the system? And I'll admit, I always buy both versions now to make sure I get multiple playthroughs (plus version exclusives and stuff like that, but those things aren't too hard to come by online these days), so I guess the strategy is working on me.

 

[Khoshi]

I wouldn't really like having the ability to use multiple saves. I like the idea of you having to let go of all your hard work to start fresh, and adding more saves would make that feel disappear.

I do see it happening, for the ease of access. Maybe by popular demand, they add new save files. Unlike me, some people don't want to get rid of all their well trained Pokemon in their main save, so they'd opt for more.

 

[Hiatus]

That would be great; it'd give us a reason not to buy separate devices (PowerSaves, for example) for simple tasks like this. Though, we should definitely not be allowed to copy save files, as people could easily abuse that to duplicate their Pokémon and whatnot. It's not such a bad thing, but it just reduces their value. :(

 

[moon]

I would like at least two save slots actually, I was always a bit appalled that they never added the possibility in. But perhaps it's just to keep the feeling of one cartridge being one game, one player, one adventure. And if you want to have more adventures you have to buy more games and meet other people! Or erase everything and start fresh. In some way, it's a cool thought.

 

[Nah]

Before Gen 6, I very much wanted extra save files, hoping each new generation that they'd add that in....but they didn't. But now, multiple save files aren't terribly necessary since we have PokeBank; you can just send all your pokes to the Bank (which takes only a couple of minutes), restart, and withdraw them from the Bank. That's one of the main reasons people want more than one save file; so they can keep all their Pokemon (yeah, you could do this any gen, but trading boxes of Pokemon with yourself or someone else takes forever) but still start a new adventure. Really wish the Bank would let us transfer items though....

 

[Pepperton]

A thousand times yes. It's always depressing to reset a game and lose all of the Pokemon you worked so hard to train. Usually, I've been able to trade mine to my brother before erasing my save file, but for those who aren't able to do that, it must be depressing, haha. I guess there have been some complications with implementing this in Pokemon games, because I feel like they would've been added to the series earlier if it was possible.

 

[SaniOKh]

There is a reason there's only one save file: the PC, more specifically the possibility to nickname every single Pokémon. It's a LOT of data to save. Plus, there's also all the usual data: flags that mean you've defeated trainers, picked up objects etc.

It doesn't matter if you get a physical copy or a digital one on your SD card: the save files are always capped at a certain size. With a physical copy, it's a hardware issue: you only have so much space for the save file (and no matter what Pokémon X/Y says, it saves to the cartridge, not the SD card) . With a digital download, there are two reasons: first, they clearly don't want people with digital copies to have a better version of the game than those who bought carts; second, there's a technical choice of allocating limited space to save files to avoid a game slowly overtaking the entire SD card when you save more and more stuff.

Let me put it this way: two save files means a Pokémon game can manage and save half the data it can manage now. Which means every game mechanic and piece of content that needs to save data becomes cut in half: you'll get two times less trainers, items, PC boxes, various secrets...

So no, I am pretty sure I don't want multiple save files par game... in the same way Zelda manages them, at least. What I do want is a way to freely back up and restore save files.

 

[Universe]

Yes. For several reasons.

A lot of current games are doing this multiple save thing (including one of my favorites, M&L : Dream Team), so honestly it only makes sense for Pokemon to become a game series with that same feature.

Although... I can see it also being complicated. With the system of having to press a combination of buttons to pull up the delete screen, along with the sequence following it, it might be tough to figure out how that's going to work. I mean, they could pull up the two save files and let you choose the one you want to delete, along with the 'yes or no' option after you choose to make sure you didn't hit the wrong one.

Hey, that actually does sound pretty plausible now that I think about it.

Though with how much the games actually have to save, it might cut down on the content we get per game... which could suck tremendously.

 

[Hoenn_Waters]

Yes. This is mainly for the fact that I want to try which starter is best for the metagame. Besides, I miss battling Gym Leaders for a while. I even forgot some of their battle music

 

[Arylett Charnoa]

Of course I do! I'm a person who plays through games a million times and this is pretty much the sole reason why I haven't restarted games like HeartGold (I have a LOT on that save file) that I really wanted to experience through again. Multiple isn't really enough to keep me interested in Pokemon. I love going through the adventure several times with different teams. Never gets old, y'know?

Back in the day, I'd just delete my old save files and save over my Gold/Silver, losing so many teams in the process. ;~; Now with Pokebank, things are easier. But why can't I easily transfer my items? That is still a foremost issue in my mind. Makes me turn to things like PowerSave.

There could be complications with having multiple save files though due to the way Pokemon works, what with the trading and the duplicating Pokemon and all that. So perhaps something that friend of mine suggested would be better for Pokemon: a new game+. You get to keep all your items and Pokemon, and you can restart the adventure. Of course, you'd still get a different OT, so you couldn't sweep through the journey with your old team until you get all your badges. Or perhaps they could give you the same one and give you an option to add more challenge. Either way, I think a new game+ would resolve a lot of things and I hope they incorporate either that or multisaves in the future.

 

[Yato]

Before XY, I really wanted multiple save files for the main games--even two would've been nice--and was disappointed that the only Pokemon game I've ever played with multiple save files was Pokemon Rumble. Up until I got my 3DS, I had no way of transferring over Pokemon I wanted to keep unless I borrowed a friend's system or traded with them via Wi-Fi. Now that PokeBank's out, I'm ambivalent about the main games getting multiple save files. As Salt&PepperDiner pointed out, I can easily transfer my Pokemon to another game and then restart. The only downsides are I can't transfer items or eggs, but that's not too big a deal since I can just have the Pokemon hold the items in my other game if I decide to use them. That being said, I'd still love multiple save files for some of the spin-offs, especially any future PMD or Colo/XD-esque games.

 

[Kyrul]

Yes, I would love for them to break that tradition.

 

[Altairis]

I think it would be awesome! However, I don't think Nintendo will do it, simply because of the money. If someone wants another save file, they usually buy another game. They are STILL releasing slightly modified versions of the same game instead of just one. With the accessibility we have to version-exclusive Pokemon through Wifi now, it isn't how it was in the old days where, if you didn't buy the other version or know someone who hadn't it, you actually couldn't get a specific Pokemon. So basically having 2 game versions is almost useless since they are virtually the same, yet Nintendo still does it because the company knows many will buy both.

..so I doubt that they would add another save slot because that would reduce the chances someone will buy the second version of a game.