If you’ve just landed a trick you want to show off, you might be asking where do skate replaays save on pc. Your impressive skateboarding lines in session-based games are often saved automatically to a default folder on your system drive. This article will guide you directly to that folder for popular games and show you how to manage your clips.
Knowing the save location is the first step to sharing your best moments. We’ll cover how to find them, move them, and even record them properly.
Where Do Skate Replaays Save On Pc
The core answer depends on which specific skateboarding game you are playing. Most modern titles save replay files, often called “clips” or “videos,” to your Documents folder or within the game’s own directory in AppData. The file format is usually proprietary, meaning you need the game itself to view it, but the location is consistent.
Here are the default save paths for the most common PC skate games. You can paste these directly into your File Explorer address bar.
- Session: Skate Sim: This is a common one. Replays are saved to:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\SessionGame\Saved\Clips. You’ll need to have hidden folders visible in File Explorer to see the ‘AppData’ folder. - Skater XL: Your replay clips in Skater XL are stored in:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\SkaterXL\Clips. This is a more straightforward location that doesn’t require showing hidden files. - Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2: The remastered classic saves its video replays to:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\TonyHawkGame\Saved\Videos. Again, the AppData folder is hidden by default on Windows. - EA’s Skate Games (Skate, Skate 2, Skate 3 via RPCS3): If you are playing the older Skate games on the RPCS3 emulator, replay files are saved within the emulator’s virtual hard drive directory, typically under
dev_hdd0\home\00000001\savedata. They are often in a unique format specific to the PlayStation 3 system.
How To Show Hidden Folders In Windows
Since many games save to the AppData folder, which is hidden, you need to know how to reveal it. Here is a simple step-by-step guide.
- Open any File Explorer window (press Windows Key + E).
- Click on the “View” menu at the top of the window.
- Look for an option called “Show” or “Hidden items.”
- Check the box next to “Hidden items.” You should now see the AppData folder inside your User directory.
Alternatively, you can just type %appdata% directly into the File Explorer address bar and press Enter. This will take you to the Roaming folder inside AppData. You will often need to go up one level to see the ‘Local’ folder.
Locating Replays In Specific Games
Let’s break down the process for individual titles with more detail. Sometimes the files aren’t named obviously, so knowing what to look for is key.
Finding Your Session: Skate Sim Clips
In Session, every trick line you save using the in-game replay editor creates a new file. These files use the .replay extension and are only viewable inside the game. To find them, navigate to the path mentioned earlier. The files are usually named with a timestamp or a generic name like “Clip_001.replay.” You can copy these files to backup your best lines, but you cannot play them outside of Session without converting them first.
Managing Skater XL Replay Files
Skater XL also uses a proprietary format. The clips are saved in your Documents folder, which makes them easier to find. You can organize them by creating subfolders within the Clips directory. Remember, to share these clips, you will need to use the game’s editor to export them as a video file (like .mp4) or use screen recording software while playing the replay back.
Converting And Sharing Your Replay Clips
A replay file itself is not a video. It’s a set of instructions the game engine reads to recreate your trick. To share it online, you need to convert it into a standard video format. There are two primary methods for this.
- In-Game Export Tools: Many modern skate sims, like Session and Skater XL, have a built-in video editor. You can use this tool to set camera angles, add effects, and directly export an MP4 file to a folder of your choice. This is usually the highest quality method.
- Screen Recording Software: If the game lacks an export feature, you will need to record your screen while playing the replay. Popular free options include OBS Studio, NVIDIA ShadowPlay (for GeForce users), or the Xbox Game Bar built into Windows (press Windows Key + G).
Step By Step Guide To Recording With OBS
OBS Studio is a powerful, free tool for recording. Here’s a quick setup guide.
- Download and install OBS Studio from its official website.
- Open OBS. In the “Sources” box at the bottom, click the ‘+’ icon.
- Select “Game Capture.” Choose “Capture specific window” and select your skate game from the list.
- In the “Settings” menu, go to “Output.” Set your recording format to MP4 and choose a video bitrate (10,000 Kbps is a good start for 1080p).
- Click “Start Recording” in OBS, then play your replay in the game. Click “Stop Recording” when finished. Your video file will save to the folder you set in the settings.
Organizing And Backing Up Your Replay Library
As you accumulate clips, your replay folder can become messy. It’s a good idea to create a system. You can create subfolders by date, game, or trick type (e.g., “2024-05_Gaps,” “Session_Grinds”). To back them up, simply copy the entire Clips or Replays folder to an external hard drive or a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. This protects your files if your system crashes or you need to reinstall Windows.
Remember, if you move the replay files from their default location, the game may not be able to find them in its internal editor. It’s best to keep the originals where they are and copy them for backup purposes.
Common Issues And Troubleshooting
Sometimes replays don’t save or you can’t find them. Here are solutions to frequent problems.
Replays Not Saving Or Folder Is Empty
If your replay folder is empty, first ensure you are actually saving them correctly in-game. Most games require you to press a specific “Save Clip” button after viewing a replay; it’s not always automatic. Also, double-check that you are looking in the correct user folder—if you have multiple Windows accounts, you might be logged into the wrong one in File Explorer.
Another common issue is OneDrive or another cloud service syncing your Documents folder. This can sometimes change the path. Check your OneDrive settings to see if your Documents folder is being redirected.
Can’t Play Replay Files Outside The Game
This is normal. The .replay file is not a video. You must open the game, load the replay from its editor, and then either export it or record it as described above. There are no standard media players that can open these proprietary data files.
Advanced Tips For Replay Management
For users who want more control, here are some extra steps. You can create shortcuts to your replay folders on your desktop for quick access. You can also use symbolic links (a more advanced Windows feature) to redirect the game’s save location to a different drive with more space, which is useful if your C: drive is full.
If you are modding your game, be aware that some mods can affect replay functionality. A replay saved with a set of mods may not play back correctly if those mods are removed or updated. It’s a good practice to note which mods you have active when you save a particularly good line.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pc Skate Replays
Where Are Skate 3 Replays Saved On Pc?
Since Skate 3 is a console game, it doesn’t have a native PC version. If you are playing it on the RPCS3 emulator, the replay files are saved within the emulator’s data directory. The exact path is typically RPCS3\dev_hdd0\home\00000001\savedata. The files are in PS3 format and are tied to your specific emulator installation.
How Do I Change Where My Replays Save?
Most games do not offer an in-game setting to change the replay save location. However, you can use a Windows feature called a symbolic link. This tricks the game into saving files to a new location while thinking it’s using the old one. This requires using the Command Prompt and is recommended for advanced users only, as incorrect commands can affect system stability.
What Is The Best Software For Recording Gameplay?
For ease of use, NVIDIA ShadowPlay (for GeForce GPU users) or AMD Adrenalin (for Radeon users) are excellent as they are built into your graphics drivers. OBS Studio is the best free, full-featured option for everyone, offering the most control over quality and settings. The Windows Xbox Game Bar is a simple built-in alternative that works for basic recording.
Why Can’t I Open My .Replay File In Vlc?
VLC Media Player is designed for standard video and audio formats. A .replay file is a data file containing coordinates, animations, and game state information—not a video stream. It’s like trying to open a Word document in a photo viewer; they are fundamentally different types of files. You must use the game that created it to view the content.
How Do I Save Storage Space With Many Replays?
Replay files themselves are usually quite small because they are data, not video. The large files come from exported MP4 videos. To save space, regularly export your best clips to video, then delete the raw replay files you no longer need. Also, consider moving your entire replay folder to a drive with more free space using the symbolic link method mentioned earlier.
Keeping your clips organized helps you avoid saving multiple versions of the same trick, which can waste space over time. A little folder management goes a long way.