Idea to allow multiple islands per switch

[M_Rat]

Quick note: This is not the same idea as has been previously suggested by everyone and their mother. This is my own idea.

Anyway, would it be possible to distinguish between different copies of a game on the same switch? What I mean is, have each game copy have a seperate ID, so when you use that copy, the switch uses that save file by scanning the game copy ID.

If that was possible, at the very least, you would only have to buy a new game copy, and not a new switch. It would also make sense because it is effectively how older games worked on the DS/3DS (although the cartridge used to hold the save data, not the device).

 

[jefflomacy]

No. Game saves have a single primary key, the game ID. Version ID is only used to know if the last save needs to trigger a game update before the game can launch.

I have digital and physical copies of of Final Fantasy 7 that actually have two different version IDs. After inserting the physical cartridge, the digital version is no longer accepted. But the Switch still knows they’re the same game.

 

[SillyPrinny]

No. Game saves have a single primary key, the game ID. Version ID is only used to know if the last save needs to trigger a game update before the game can launch.

I have digital and physical copies of of Final Fantasy 7 that actually have two different version IDs. After inserting the physical cartridge, the digital version is no longer accepted. But the Switch still knows they’re the same game.

Interesting, I am guessing it's because how the island is stored on the console itself instead of it being in a cloud? I wonder if cloud save ever comes would that bring more then just the one island to a single console.

 

[M_Rat]

No. Game saves have a single primary key, the game ID. Version ID is only used to know if the last save needs to trigger a game update before the game can launch.

I have digital and physical copies of of Final Fantasy 7 that actually have two different version IDs. After inserting the physical cartridge, the digital version is no longer accepted. But the Switch still knows they’re the same game.

Shame. It never used to work like that with the DS/3DS version. Each game copy had it's own save. I know because my WW save worked when I went from DS to DSi XL, and DSi XL to 3DS. How much coding would be required for the game to scan Version ID and make individual saves for each Version ID?

 

[jefflomacy]

The only reason this worked on the DS/3DS is because the save data was on the cartridge. On the Switch, the save data is on the console. There are ways to do these things but they cannot be discussed on this forum.