Cloud Data Storage (Save Games)

The Game Jolt Data-Store is a cloud-based key-value system that allows you to store and retrieve data for your game. Perfect for:

• Cloud Saves: Store players' character level or progress.
• Global Settings: Store collective global variables like total kills across all players.
• Encrypted Payloads: Securely store sensitive game data.

📦 Key Concepts

Term	Purpose
Key	The name of the data (e.g., last_level).
Value	The data itself (e.g., boss_fight).
Scope	Global (visible to all users) or User (visible only to a single logged-in user).

🚀 Unity SDK Implementation

In the Unity SDK, data storage is handled via the DataStore class.

Saving Data (Set)

using GameJolt.API;

public void SaveProgress(string currentLevel) {
    // If global is false, it saves to the CURRENT user
    DataStore.Set("last_level", currentLevel, false, (bool success) => {
        if (success) {
            Debug.Log("Game saved in the cloud!");
        }
    });
}

Retrieving Data (Get)

using GameJolt.API;

public void LoadProgress() {
    DataStore.Get("last_level", false, (string value) => {
        if (value != null) {
            Debug.Log("Fetched save: " + value);
        } else {
            Debug.Log("No save found for this user.");
        }
    });
}

Deleting Data (Update/Remove)

DataStore.Delete("last_level", false, (bool success) => {
    if (success) Debug.Log("Save deleted.");
});

:::warning Pro Tip The maximum size of a single data entry is 16MB. Always try to compress your JSON payloads or keep your cloud-stored data minimal for performance! :::

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🏗️ Cloud Settings Scenario

In this scenario, we use the Data-Store to synchronize user preferences, such as a "UI Theme," across their account. This ensures that no matter where the user logs in, their game experience remains consistent.

🎮 The Implementation Scenario

When the player logs in, the game sends a DataStore.Get request to find their saved theme. If found, it instantly applies the "Cyber" or "Neon" look to the interface. Every time a theme is updated, a DataStore.Set call pushes the new preference to the cloud!

📦 Scenario: Cloud-Synced Game Settings. Change the theme and watch it "save" to the Game Jolt Data-Store!

Game Launcher

🚀 Technical Implementation (Unity)

To recreate this settings sync in your Unity project, use the following CloudSettingsManager pattern:

using GameJolt.API;
using UnityEngine;

public class CloudSettingsManager : MonoBehaviour {
    
    // 1. Fetch settings on startup
    public void LoadUserSettings() {
        // Fetch "current_theme" for the logged-in user (global=false)
        DataStore.Get("current_theme", false, (string themeValue) => {
            if (themeValue != null) {
                Debug.Log($"Applying theme: {themeValue}");
                ApplyTheme(themeValue);
            } else {
                Debug.Log("No theme saved. Using default.");
            }
        });
    }

    // 2. Save settings when changed
    public void UpdateTheme(string newTheme) {
        DataStore.Set("current_theme", newTheme, false, (bool success) => {
            if (success) {
                Debug.Log("Theme synced to cloud!");
            }
        });
    }

    void ApplyTheme(string theme) {
        // Logic to update your UI colors
    }
}