Do Old Saves Work in Scrap Mechanic 1.0?
Learn whether old Creative and Survival saves work in Scrap Mechanic 1.0, when to use the legacy version, and what to back up first.
Old Scrap Mechanic saves do not all follow the same 1.0 compatibility path. Official pre-release guidance says old Creative worlds are expected to work in 1.0. Old Survival worlds require the legacy version, and starting a new Survival world is recommended for the full-release experience. Back up important data before opening any old world, especially if it uses Workshop content.
This guide is checked against version 1.0.2 on July 29, 2026. It provides a cautious decision process rather than inventing a universal save folder or promising that every modified world will load.
Choose the correct path
| Your world | Official compatibility direction | Safest next step |
|---|---|---|
| Old Creative world | Expected to work in 1.0 | Back it up, then test a copy on the current build |
| Old Survival world | Requires the legacy version | Preserve the original and use the legacy path |
| New 1.0 Survival world | Intended for full-release progression | Start clean for the completed story and Drilling Thunder systems |
| Any world with mods | Compatibility depends on each item and dependency | Record the mod set, back up, and test a copy |
“Expected to work” is not the same as “guaranteed in every configuration.” A Creative world can depend on Workshop parts or scripts that have not been updated for 1.0. Save history, multiplayer state, and missing dependencies can also affect the result.
Backup checklist before opening a world
- Close Scrap Mechanic and allow Steam activity to finish.
- Identify the world you intend to protect using its in-game name and last-played context.
- Make a separate copy of the relevant save data without replacing or moving the original.
- Record the currently enabled Workshop items and every required dependency.
- Keep one untouched copy that will not be opened by the current build.
- Test with a duplicate or expendable world first.
- Note the game version, mode, mod set, and result so the test can be reversed or repeated.
This guide does not give a hard-coded filesystem path because the reviewed official evidence does not establish one universal path for every Windows setup, Steam configuration, account, or save type. Guessing a location can cause the wrong data to be copied or overwritten. Use your verified local Steam and operating-system context when locating the actual files.
Old Survival worlds and the legacy version
For old Survival progress, the official direction is the legacy version rather than opening the world as if it were a native 1.0 save. The recommendation to start a new Survival world reflects the scale of the full-release progression and story changes.
Preserve the original before changing the installed branch or opening the world. Consult the current official announcement for the developer's latest legacy-access wording because branch names and availability can change. Do not assume that simply dismissing a warning or forcing a load will convert the world safely.
A new Survival world is the clean route for the completed story, excavation progression, Garage, Schematicbot, and other 1.0 systems. The legacy path is for preserving and revisiting old progress, not for adding all new systems to that old world.
Old Creative worlds
Official guidance says old Creative worlds are expected to work in 1.0. That makes Creative different from Survival, but a backup is still the right first action. Open a duplicate on the current version and inspect important creations before treating the transition as complete.
If the world uses Workshop content, verify that every required item and dependency still exists and lists current support. Missing parts or scripts can make a world look damaged even when the base Creative save format is accepted.
Mods and dependencies
The official pre-release guidance warns that mods may break across the 1.0 transition. Patch 1.0.1 addressed some mod-related crashes, and patch 1.0.2 restored the Mods button. Neither statement guarantees that a particular Workshop item works.
Use the Mods compatibility hub to check the game build, author notes, update date, and dependency chain. Change one item at a time and test a copy. Do not use an irreplaceable world as the first compatibility test, and do not download unofficial replacement binaries or “converted” saves.
If something goes wrong
Stop opening the affected world repeatedly. Preserve the current result separately, return to the untouched backup, and write down exactly what changed: installed version, mode, legacy/current branch, multiplayer context, and mod set. Then check the current patch summary and official announcements for a relevant update.
Avoid destructive cleanup steps while the cause is unknown. Deleting Workshop data, overwriting the only backup, or moving broad folders can make recovery harder. A reversible test answers more than a large batch of changes.
Common questions
Can I continue my Early Access Survival world directly in 1.0? Official guidance says old Survival worlds require the legacy version and recommends a new world for 1.0.
Will my old Creative world work? It is expected to, but back it up and test a copy, particularly when mods are involved.
Does patch 1.0.2 change the official save recommendation? The reviewed 1.0.2 summary addresses other launch issues. This research found no replacement for the official Creative/Survival distinction.
Can I move a creation into new Survival? The official launch material describes the Garage as connecting Creative creations to Survival, but exact workflow and compatibility should be verified in the current build before risking important work.
Source and review status
The compatibility distinction comes from the official Scrap Mechanic 1.0 FAQ and trailer announcement checked July 29, 2026. This page remains version-sensitive and should be reviewed after updates that change save compatibility, legacy access, or mod support.