RPG Maker Save File Structure Explained - MV, MZ, VX Ace Guide

Introduction

RPG Maker has been empowering game creators for decades, from MV and MZ to VX Ace and older versions. Whether you’re a player wanting to edit your save or a developer debugging your game, understanding the RPG Maker save file structure is essential.

This guide breaks down exactly how RPG Maker stores save data, what each property means, and how you can safely edit these files using our free RPG Maker save editor.

Save File Formats by Version

Engine	Extension	Format	Encryption
RPG Maker MZ	.rmmzsave	JSON (Base64)	Optional
RPG Maker MV	.rpgsave	JSON (Base64 + LZString)	Optional
RPG Maker VX Ace	.rvdata2	Ruby Marshal	None
RPG Maker VX	.rvdata	Ruby Marshal	None
RPG Maker XP	.rxdata	Ruby Marshal	None

RPG Maker MV/MZ Save Structure

MV and MZ saves are the most common and easiest to edit. They use Base64-encoded JSON.

Basic Structure

{
  "system": { ... },
  "screen": { ... },
  "timer": { ... },
  "switches": { ... },
  "variables": { ... },
  "selfSwitches": { ... },
  "actors": { ... },
  "party": { ... },
  "map": { ... },
  "player": { ... }
}

Key Properties Explained

1. Party Data (party)

Contains the core gameplay state:

{
  "_gold": 5000,
  "_steps": 12345,
  "_items": { "1": 10, "2": 5 },
  "_weapons": { "1": 1 },
  "_armors": { "1": 1 },
  "_actors": [1, 2, 3, 4]
}

• _gold: Party’s money
• _steps: Step counter
• _items: Item ID → quantity map
• _weapons/_armors: Equipment inventory
• _actors: Actor IDs in party order

2. Actor Data (actors)

Individual character stats:

{
  "_hp": 500,
  "_mp": 100,
  "_level": 25,
  "_exp": { "1": 50000 },
  "_skills": [1, 2, 3, 10, 15],
  "_equips": [1, 0, 1, 0, 0],
  "_name": "Hero",
  "_class": 1
}

3. Switches (switches)

Boolean flags that control game events:

{
  "1": true,    // Example: "Met the King"
  "2": false,
  "10": true    // Example: "Boss Defeated"
}

4. Variables (variables)

Numeric values for game logic:

{
  "1": 500,     // Example: "Quest Progress"
  "2": 10,      // Example: "Items Collected"
  "5": 99       // Example: "Secret Counter"
}

Save File Locations

RPG Maker MV/MZ (Desktop)

[Game Folder]/www/save/
[Game Folder]/save/

Files are named file1.rpgsave, file2.rpgsave, etc.

RPG Maker MV/MZ (Browser)

Saves are stored in browser localStorage:

RPG [Game Title]

RPG Maker VX Ace

[Game Folder]/Save/

Files are Save01.rvdata2, Save02.rvdata2, etc.

How to Edit RPG Maker Saves

Method 1: Online Editor (Recommended)

1. Go to our RPG Maker Save Editor
2. Upload your .rpgsave or .rmmzsave file
3. Edit values in the visual interface
4. Download and replace the original file

Method 2: Manual Editing (Advanced)

For MV/MZ files:

1. Open the file in a text editor
2. Copy the Base64 string
3. Decode with Base64 decoder
4. For MV: Decompress with LZString
5. Edit the JSON
6. Reverse the process

Our online editor handles all this automatically!

Common Edits

Add Maximum Gold

Set party._gold to your desired amount (max: 99999999 typically).

Max Level All Characters

For each actor in actors, set _level to max and adjust _exp accordingly.

Unlock All Skills

Add skill IDs to each actor’s _skills array.

Complete All Quests

Find the relevant switches or variables and set them to the “completed” state.

Add Any Item

Add entries to party._items with the item ID and quantity.

MZ vs MV Differences

While similar, MZ has some enhancements:

Feature	MV	MZ
Compression	LZString	None (raw JSON)
Auto-save	Optional	Built-in
Item format	Same	Same
Variable format	Same	Same

Troubleshooting

”Save file corrupted” Error

• The JSON structure was broken during editing
• Restore backup and try again with smaller changes
• Use our online editor to avoid JSON syntax errors

Changes Don’t Appear In-Game

• Make sure you’re editing the correct save slot
• Some values are cached; may need to change maps or restart
• Check if the game has encryption enabled

Can’t Find Save Folder

• Right-click the game → Properties → Local Files → Browse
• For browser games, check localStorage in Developer Tools

Developer Tips

If you’re creating an RPG Maker game:

1. Document your switches/variables - Keep a spreadsheet
2. Use meaningful IDs - Group related switches together
3. Test save compatibility - Edit saves to test edge cases
4. Consider encryption - For competitive/multiplayer elements

Further Reading

Expand your RPG Maker knowledge with these related guides:

• 📖 How to Edit RPG Maker Save Files - Step-by-step editing tutorial
• 🎮 RPG Maker Games Page - Save locations for popular RPG Maker games
• 📂 Common Save File Extensions - Understanding .rpgsave, .sav, and more
• 🔧 RPG Maker Editor - The online tool for editing saves
• 🎭 Ren’Py Save Editing Guide - Another popular visual novel engine

Conclusion

Understanding RPG Maker save file structure empowers you to debug games, recover lost progress, or simply enjoy games the way you want. Whether it’s adding gold, maxing stats, or unlocking content, our free RPG Maker save editor makes it safe and easy.

Ready to edit? Open the RPG Maker Save Editor →

---

Last updated: January 2026

Related Articles

• How to Edit RPG Maker Save Files
• Common Save File Extensions Explained
• GameMaker Save Editing Guide