Saves (GTA 4)

This article deals with the format of a save game file for the PC version of GTA 4.

Location

By default, the game places its save game files into the "%LocalAppData%\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames\user_XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX\" folder where XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX is a 16-character string tied to the user's Games for Windows Live account.

The save files themselves are named in the format SGTA4XX where XX represents the in-game slot number. There are 12 slots available in the game (1-12) plus an additional auto-save slot (SGTA400).

Format Details

• Save file size varies but is typically just under 2 megabytes.
• Byte order is little endian. For example, the number 3452 (0x0D7C) is represented as as 0x7C 0x0D.
• A savegame consists of 32 data blocks, two blocks with metadata and a checksum number.

Savegame Metadata

A savegame file starts with this block, which has a constant length of 0x110 bytes.

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x00	dword	savegame version number
0x04	dword	savegame size in bytes
0x08	dword	global variables size (?)
0x0C	char[4]	"SAVE" string
0x10	wchar_t[128]	Name of last mission passed
0x110	end

Notes:

• Savegame version number value is set under the [SAVEGAME_VERSION_NUMBER] section in the GTA IV/common/data/version.txt file
• Last mission name is prefixed with either "TLAD - " or "TBoGT - " for Episodes From Liberty City saves

Data Blocks

Each data block consists of the 5 characters BLOCK followed by a variable amount of data; in general, each block has its own unique internal format. Following the BLOCK character is always a dword specifying the size of the block, starting at the beginning of BLOCK characters.

Block 0: SimpleVars

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x00	char[5]	a "BLOCK" string
0x04	dword	size of block in bytes (always 0xB9)
0x09	dword	start of data; see below

SimpleVars

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x00	byte[32]	unknown data
0x20	dword	length (ms) of in-game minute
0x24	dword	weather timer (?)
0x28	dword	in-game month
0x2C	dword	in-game day
0x30	dword	in-game hours
0x34	dword	in-game minutes
0x38	dword	in-game day of week
0x3C	byte[116]	unknown data
0xB0	end

Block 1: PlayerInfo

This block has a constant length of 0xD4 bytes.

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x00	dword	Size of block
0x04	byte[18]	unknown
0x1C	dword	Player money
0x20	byte[4]	unknown
0x24	dword	Player money (Again. Perhaps one is amount shown on screen.)
0x28	byte[172]	unknown
0xD4	end

Block 4: Garages

Stores garages defined in the game along with their stored vehicles.

The block starts with a 4 byte integer containing the size of it. The below data follows.

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x0000	uint32	garage count
0x0004	uint8	(unknown)
0x0005	uint8	resprays are free
0x0006	uint8	resprays are disabled
0x0007	uint32	(unknown)
0x000B	uint32	safehouse garage count
0x000F	StoredCar[20]	stored cars array
0x05A0	Garage[40]	garages array

StoredCar (72 bytes)

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x0000	float[3]	position (x, y, z)
0x000C	uint32	handling flags
0x0010	uint16	model index
0x0032	uint8[4]	colors
0x0038	uint32	extras
0x003C	uint32	livery
0x0043	uint8[3]	rotation (x, y, z)
0x0048	uint16	flags (see below)

flags - Bitfield

• 0b000000001 = Valid
• 0b000001000 = Bullet proof
• 0b000010000 = Fire proof
• 0b000100000 = Explosion proof
• 0b001000000 = Collision proof
• 0b010000000 = Melee proof

Note:

• There can be leftover stored cars from previous save games in empty slots. Check if the "Valid" flag is set to see if it will be loaded in game.

Garage (72 bytes)

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x0000	uint8	type
0x0001	uint8	open state
0x0002	uint8	door flags
0x0004	float[3]	position (x, y, z)
0x0016	float[2]	direction a (x, y)
0x0024	float[2]	direction b (x, y)
0x0032	float	top z
0x0036	float	(unknown)
0x0040	float	(unknown)
0x0044	float	left coordinate
0x0048	float	right coordinate
0x0052	float	front coordinate
0x0056	float	back coordinate
0x0060	uint32	(unknown)
0x0064	uint32	garage name hash
0x0068	uint8	original type
0x0069	uint8	safehouse garage index (if safehouse)

Block 7: Pickups

This block contains an array of 650 Pickup structures plus 9 bytes of padding. Each Pickup structure is a constant 0x54 bytes.

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x00	char[5]	a "BLOCK" string
0x04	dword	size of block in bytes (always 0xD55A)
0x09	Pickup[650]	Pickups array
0xD551	byte[9]	padding

Pickup

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x00	dword	unknown
0x04	int32_t	index (-1 indicates unused pickup)
0x08	dword	unknown
0x0C	dword	unknown
0x10	dword	amount (ammo, etc.)
0x14	dword	unknown
0x18	dword	unknown
0x1C	dword	unknown
0x20	dword	unknown
0x24	float[3]	location (x,y,z)
0x30	dword	unknown
0x34	dword	unknown
0x34	dword	unknown
0x38	float	unknown
0x3C	dword	unknown
0x40	float	unknown
0x44	dword	unknown
0x48	uint16_t	object ID
0x4A	uint16_t	reference number
0x4C	uint8_t	pickup type
0x4D	uint8_t	flags
0x4E	word	unknown
0x50	dword	unknown
0x54	(end)

Block 8: Restart

This block stores where the player respawns on dying or getting busted.

It also stores the coordinates for the safehouse spawns

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x0000	uint32	wasted restart point count
0x0004	RestartPoint[10]	wasted restart points array
0x00F4	uint32	busted restart point count
0x00F8	RestartPoint[20]	busted restart points array
0x02D8	uint32	safehouse count
0x02DC	Safehouse[6]	safehouses array
0x0432	uint8	override next restart
0x0433	float[4]	overridden restart point coordinates (x, y, z, w)
0x0443	float	overriden restart point heading
0x0447	uint8	supress fade in after death arrest
0x0448	RestartPoint	extra wasted restart point
0x0460	RestartPoint	extra busted restart point

RestartPoint (24 bytes)

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x0000	float[4]	coordinates (x, y, z, w)
0x0010	float	heading
0x0014	uint32	town (0 = Broker and Dukes, 1 = Algonquin, 2 = Alderney)

Safehouse (57 bytes)

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x0000	float[4]	coordintaes (x, y, z, w)
0x0010	float	heading
0x0014	char[32]	name
0x0034	uint32	town (see above)
0x0038	uint8	enabled

Block 10: Zones

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x0000	uint32	block size
0x0004	uint32	zone count
0x0008	Zone[300]	zones
0x2EE0	char[100]	(unknown) (likely unused)
0x2F44	uint32	(unknown) (likely unused)

Zone (40 bytes)

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x0000	char[8]	name
0x0008	char[8]	gxt entry (also used for audio)
0x0010	float[6]	bounds (x1, y1, z1, x2, y2, z2)
0x0020	uint8	population type (bitfield)
0x0021	uint8	scumminess (bitfield)

Block 12: CarGenerators

This block stores Car Generators managed by scripts in GTA 4. This includes mission rewards and boats or helicopters disabled before Algonquin and Alderney are unlocked.

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x0000	CarGenerator[25]	Car Generators array (see below)
0x044C	Unknown[15]	Unknown is 16 bytes each

CarGenerator

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x0000	float[3]	Position of the Parked Vehicle
0x000C	float[2]	Rotation (X,Y)
0x0014	float[2]	Unknown (has something to do with Z rotation)
0x001C	uint16_t	Model ID
0x001E	uint16_t	Pool index (normally always 0)
0x0022	uint8_t	Color 1
0x0023	uint8_t	Color 2
0x0024	uint8_t	Color 3
0x0025	uint8_t	Color 4
0x0026	uint8_t[5]	Unknown (flags)
0x002B	uint8_t	Enabled (0 = disabled, 101 = enabled)

Block 13: Stats

This block has a constant length of 0x1724 bytes and stores various statistics; most of which can be viewed the game's Stats menu.

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x00	dword	Size of block
0x04	byte[80]	unknown stats
0x54	float	game_progress (GTA IV main story only. TLAD and TBoGT variables are below.)
0x58	float	roman_like
0x5C	float	roman_respect
0x60	float	roman_mission_progress
0x64	float	vlad_mission_progress
0x65	float	jacob_like
0x6C	float	jacob_respect
0x70	float	jacob_mission_progress
0x74	float	faustin_mission_progress
0x78	float	manny_mission_progress
0x7C	float	elizabeta_mission_progress
0x80	float	dwayne_like
0x84	float	dwayne_respect
0x88	float	dwayne_mission_progress
0x8C	float	brucie_like
0x90	float	brucie_respect
0x94	float	brucie_mission_progress
0x98	float	playboy_mission_progress
0x9C	float	francis_mission_progress
0xA0	float	ulpc_mission_progress
0xA4	float	packie_like
0xA8	float	packie_respect
0xAC	float	packie_mission_progress
0xB0	float	ray_mission_progress
0xB4	float	gerry_mission_progress
0xB8	float	derrick_mission_progress
0xBC	float	bernie_mission_progress
0xC0	float	bell_mission_progress
0xC4	float	gambetti_mission_progress
0xC8	float	jimmy_mission_progress
0xCC	float	carmen_ortiz_fondness
0xD0	float	carmen_trust
0xD4	float	alex_chilton_fondness
0xD8	float	alex_trust
0xDC	float	kiki_jenkins_fondness
0xE0	float	kiki_trust
0xE4	float	michelle_fondness
0xE8	float	michelle_trust
0xEC	float	kate_fondness
0xF0	float	kate_trust
0xF4	byte[93]	unknown stats
0x268	float	tlad_game_progress
0x26C	byte[53]	unknown stats
0x340	float	tbogt_game_progress
0x344	byte[65]	unknown stats
0x448	dword	missions_passed
0x44C	dword	missions_failed
0x450	dword	missions_attempted
0x454	dword	replays_used
0x458	dword	people_killed
0x45C	dword	taxi_fares_completed
0x460	dword	times_cheated
0x464	dword	days_passed
0x468	dword	times_died
0x46C	dword	people_run_down
0x470	dword	vehicles_exploded
0x474	dword	flips_done_in_vehicle
0x478	dword	most_vehicle_air_spins
0x47C	dword	air_launches
0x480	dword	helicopter_tours_taken
0x484	dword	taxis_hailed
0x488	dword	stunt_jumps_found
0x48C	dword	stunt_jumps_completed
0x490	dword	kills_since_last_save
0x494	dword	fires_started
0x498	dword	criminals_killed
0x49C	dword	cars_stolen
0x4A0	dword	bikes_stolen
0x4A4	dword	boats_stolen
0x4A8	dword	helicopters_stolen
0x4AC	dword	stars_attained
0x4B0	dword	stars_evaded
0x4B4	dword	vehicles_exported
0x4B8	dword	bridges_flown_under
0x4BC	dword	paynspray_visits
0x4C0	dword	times_got_drunk
0x4C4	dword	drug_packages_delivered
0x4C8	dword	cars_sold_to_stevie
0x4CC	dword	random_characters_met
0x4D0	dword	bullets_fired
0x4D4	dword	bullets_hit
0x4D8	dword	kills_by_headshot
0x4DC	dword	melee_kills
0x4E0	dword	armed_kills
0x4E4	dword	__stat
0x4E8	dword	__stat
0x4EC	dword	cars_exploded
0x4F0	dword	bikes_exploded
0x4F4	dword	boats_exploded
0x4F8	dword	helicopters_exploded
0x4FC	dword	tires_popped_by_gunshot
0x500	dword	weapons_pickedup
0x504	dword	texts_received
0x508	dword	calls_made_on_phone
0x50C	dword	calls_received_on_phone
0x510	dword	prostitute_visits
0x514	dword	tramps_given_money_to
0x518	dword	emails_sent
0x51C	dword	meals_eaten
0x520	dword	hotdogs_eaten
0x524	dword	burgers_eaten
0x528	dword	nuts_eaten
0x52C	dword	binoculars_used
0x530	dword	player_died_by_melee
0x534	dword	player_shot_to_death
0x538	dword	player_was_blown_up
0x53C	dword	player_was_roadkill
0x540	dword	scored_with_girl
0x544	dword	pool_wins
0x548	dword	pool_defeats
0x54C	dword	pool_clearances_from_break
0x550	dword	darts_wins
0x554	dword	darts_defeats
0x558	dword	darts_180s_hit
0x55C	dword	darts_bullseyes
0x560	dword	darts_shortest_checkout
0x564	dword	bowling_high_score
0x568	dword	bowling_wins
0x56C	dword	bowling_draws
0x570	dword	bowling_defeats
0x574	dword	bowling_spares
0x578	dword	bowling_perfects
0x57C	dword	bowling_strikes
0x580	dword	total_races_lost
0x584	dword	total_races_won
0x588	dword	south_broken_wins
0x58C	dword	south_broker_races
0x590	dword	airport_run_wins
0x594	dword	airport_run_races
0x598	dword	dukes_blvd_wins
0x59C	dword	dukes_blvd_races
0x5A0	dword	south_algonquin_wins
0x5A4	dword	south_algonquin_races
0x5A8	dword	star_junction_wins
0x5AC	dword	star_junction_races
0x5B0	dword	road_to_bohan_wins
0x5B4	dword	road_to_bohan_races
0x5B8	dword	north_alderny_wins
0x5BC	dword	north_alderny_races
0x5C0	dword	elevated_wins
0x5C4	dword	elevated_races
0x5C8	dword	south_alderny_wins
0x5CC	dword	south_alderny_races
0x5D0	dword	qub3d_high_score
0x5D4	dword	boating_destinations
0x5D8	dword	heli_ride_destinations
0x5DC	dword	activities_with_roman
0x5E0	dword	activities_with_jacob
0x5E4	dword	activities_with_brucie
0x5E8	dword	activities_with_dwayne
0x5EC	dword	activities_with_packie
0x5F0	dword	vigilante_levels_done
0x5F4	dword	most_wanted_completed
0x5F8	dword	pigeons_exterminated
0x5FC	dword	first_aid_collected
0x600	dword	islands_unlocked
0x604	dword	total_dates
0x608	dword	successful_dates
0x60C	dword	bad_dates
0x610	dword	girls_dumped
0x614	dword	emails_received
0x618	dword	photos_taken
0x61C	dword	mocap_cutscenes_skipped
0x620	dword	mocap_cutscenes_watched
0x624	dword	cutscenes_skipped
0x628	dword	cutscenes_watched
0x62C	dword	sodas_drunk
0x630	dword	kills_with_unarmed
0x634	dword	kills_with_baseball_bat
0x638	dword	kills_with_poolcue
0x63C	dword	kills_with_knife
0x640	dword	kills_with_grenade
0x644	dword	kills_with_molotov
0x648	dword	kills_with_rocket
0x64C	dword	kills_with_pistol
0x650	dword	kills_with_combat_pistol
0x654	dword	kills_with_pump_shotgun
0x658	dword	kills_with_combat_shotgun
0x65C	dword	kills_with_micro_smg
0x660	dword	kills_with_smg
0x664	dword	kills_with_assault_rifle
0x668	dword	kills_with_carbine_rifle
0x66C	dword	kills_with_combat_sniper
0x670	dword	kills_with_sniper_rifle
0x674	dword	kills_with_rpg
0x678	dword	kills_with_flame_thrower
0x67C	dword	kills_with_minigun
0x680	dword	kills_with_episodic_1
0x684	dword	kills_with_episodic_2
0x688	dword	kills_with_episodic_3
0x68C	dword	kills_with_episodic_4
0x690	dword	kills_with_episodic_5
0x694	dword	kills_with_episodic_6
0x698	dword	kills_with_episodic_7
0x69C	dword	kills_with_episodic_8
0x6A0	dword	kills_with_episodic_9
0x6A4	dword	kills_with_episodic_10
0x6A8	dword	kills_with_episodic_11
0x6AC	dword	kills_with_episodic_12
0x6B0	dword	kills_with_episodic_13
0x6B4	dword	kills_with_episodic_14
0x6B8	dword	kills_with_episodic_15
0x6BC	dword	kills_with_episodic_16
0x6C0	dword	kills_with_episodic_17
0x6C4	dword	kills_with_episodic_18
0x6C8	dword	kills_with_episodic_19
0x6CC	dword	kills_with_episodic_20
0x6D0	dword	kills_with_episodic_21
0x6D4	dword	kills_with_episodic_22
0x6D8	dword	kills_with_episodic_23
0x6DC	dword	kills_with_episodic_24
0x6E0	dword	times_busted
0x6E4	dword	saves_made
0x6E8	byte[4156]	unknown stats
0x1724	end

Block 15: StuntJumps

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x00	dword	Size of block
0x04	byte[5]	unknown
0x09	dword	number of stunt jumps
0x0E	byte[4]	unknown
0x11		start of stunt jump structs (0x64 bytes each; see below)

StuntJump

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x00	byte	unknown
0x01	byte	id
0x02	byte[2]	unknown, maybe padding/align
0x04	float[3]	Start zone point 1 (x,y,z)
0x10	byte[4]	unknown
0x14	float[3]	Start zone point 2 (x,y,z)
0x20	byte[4]	unknown
0x24	float[3]	Land zone point 1 (x,y,z)
0x30	byte[4]	unknown
0x34	float[3]	Land zone point 2 (x,y,z)
0x40	byte[4]	unknown
0x44	float[3]	Camera coordinates (x,y,z)
0x50	byte[4]	unknown
0x54	dword	Reward ammount
0x58	byte	is completed
0x59	byte	is found
0x5A	byte[10]	unknown, maybe align/padding

Checksum

After the last data block the checksum value goes. The checksum appears to be the sum of most of the bytes preceding it, however, which bytes exactly is unknown (See discussion).

End Block

This block has a constant length of 0x16C bytes. Data in this block appears to relate to Games For Windows Live data.

OFFSET	TYPE	DESCRIPTION
0x00	char[4]	END\0
0x04	dword	Unknown, appears to always be 0x128
0x08	byte[292]	Unknown, appears to always be a mix of 0x0, 0x1, 0x2 and 0x3 bytes
0x12C	byte[64]	Unknown
0x16C	end