Game Data

Location of User Directory

The location of user:// for Windows is:

C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Godot\app_userdata\<project>

Read From a JSON File

Create JSON File

Create a JSON file called data.json in your Godot Projects res://data with the following data:

Disclaimer - Normally it is not a good idea to store Player data in the res:// directory as it is read only when exported.

{
	"players": {
		"PLAYER_1": {
			"first_name": "John",
			"last_name": "Doe",
			"email": "[email protected]",
			"favorite_video_games": [
				"Super Mario",
				"Zelda"
			]
		},
		"PLAYER_2": {
			"first_name": "Jane",
			"last_name": "Doe",
			"email": "[email protected]",
			"favorite_video_games": [
				"Sonic",
				"Starcraft"
			]
		},
		"PLAYER_3": {
			"first_name": "Jill",
			"last_name": "Smith",
			"email": "[email protected]",
			"favorite_video_games": [
				"Kirby",
				"World of Warcraft"
			]
		}
	}
}

Create GD Script

Create an data.gd GD Script in res://scripts/data with the following code:

extends Node

var data

func _ready():
    var _file = File.new()
    var open_error = _file.open("res://data/data.json", File.READ)
    var json_object = JSON.new()
    var parse_error = json_object.parse(_file.get_as_text())
    _file.close()
    data = json_object.get_data()

Auto Load Import Data GD Script

Go to Project > Project Settings > Autoload and import the data.gd:

Create Demo Scene and Script

Create a Demo.tscn and attach a Demo.gd GD Script in res://scenes/demo.

Have Demo.gd contain the following code:

extends Node2D

func _ready():
    for player in Data.data.players:
        print(player)

    print(Data.data.players["PLAYER_2"].favorite_video_games)

Play the Scene

You should see the following Output in the Console:

PLAYER_1
PLAYER_2
PLAYER_3
["Sonic", "Starcraft"]

Save and Load Character Data From a JSON File

Create Character Class

Create a character.gd GD Script in res://classes with the following code:

class_name Character

@export var name := "GodotBot"

@export var level := 1
@export var experience := 0

@export var strength := 1
@export var intelligence := 1
@export var agility := 1

Create SaveGameAsJSON Class

Create a saveGameAsJSON.gd GD Script in res://classes with the following code:

class_name SaveGameAsJSON

const SAVE_GAME_PATH := "user://save.json"

var _file := File.new()
var _jsonObject := JSON.new()
	
func write_savegame(character) -> void:
	var error := _file.open(SAVE_GAME_PATH, File.WRITE)
	if error != OK:
		printerr("Could not open the file.")
		return
		
	var data := {
		"character": {
			"name": character.name,
			"level": character.level,
			"experience": character.experience,
			"strength": character.strength,
			"intelligence": character.intelligence,
			"agility": character.agility
		}
	}
	
	var json_object = JSON.new()
	_file.store_string(json_object.stringify(data))
	_file.close()
	

func load_savegame() -> Character:
	var error := _file.open(SAVE_GAME_PATH, File.READ)
	if error != OK:
		printerr("Could not open the file.")
		return
	
	var parse_error := _jsonObject.parse(_file.get_as_text())
	if parse_error != OK:
		printerr("JSON could not be parsed.")
		return
		
	_file.close()
	var data = _jsonObject.get_data()
	
	var character := Character.new()
	character.name = data.character.name
	character.level = data.character.level
	character.experience = data.character.experience
	character.strength = data.character.strength
	character.intelligence = data.character.intelligence
	character.agility = data.character.agility
	
	return character

Create DemoSaveLoad Scene and Script

Create a DemoSaveLoad.tscn and attach a DemoSaveLoad.gd GD Script in res://scenes/demo.

Have DemoSaveLoad.gd contain the following code:

extends Node2D

func _ready():
	var sg := SaveGameAsJSON.new()
	var character := Character.new()
	# SAVE
	sg.write_savegame(character)

	# LEVEL UP
	character.level += 1
	character.strength += 9
	character.intelligence += 10
	character.agility += 4
	
	# SAVE
	sg.write_savegame(character)
	# LOAD
	character = sg.load_savegame()
	print("A new hero, " + character.name + ", has arrived.")
	print("-Stats-")
	print("Level: " + str(character.level))
	print("STR: " + str(character.strength))
	print("INT: " + str(character.intelligence))
	print("AGI: " + str(character.agility))

Test Code

If you put a break point after the sg.write_savegame(character) and run the code…

…you can see that the save.json is initially created with the new character data…

… and then after continuing the code you can see the values change and save from the LEVEL UP…

…you will also see the following in the console:

A new hero, GodotBot, has arrived.
-Stats-
Level: 2
STR: 10
INT: 11
AGI: 5