Save Abuse (Save Scumming)

Save abuse, often known as "save scumming," is a gameplay strategy employed by players who frequently save their progress in a game to avoid potential setbacks, failures, or challenges. This practice is particularly prevalent in games that feature save points or quicksave functionality, where players can create a snapshot of their current progress and reload from that point at will.

A common example of save abuse occurs in a narrative-driven role-playing game with consequential choices. In such a game, a player might save before making a critical decision that influences the storyline. After seeing the immediate consequences of their choice, the player can reload the saved game to explore alternative outcomes without permanently committing to a particular narrative path. This allows players to experiment with different choices, optimize outcomes, or avoid unfavorable consequences.

While save abuse can serve as a valuable tool for players seeking to minimize frustration or explore alternative paths in a game, it also raises ethical considerations. Some argue that excessively relying on save abuse diminishes the intended challenge and risk-reward balance designed by the game developers. It can be seen as a form of cheating, as players manipulate the save system to secure optimal outcomes or breeze through difficult sections without facing the consequences of their actions.