Learn how to save and load data in Unity - avoiding common mistakes and dangerous serialization techniques many other tutorials will tell you to use!

In this video we'll look at using text-based serialization using JSON and optionally encrypt that data. I also discuss some of the pros/cons for using text-based serialization, and what you should use instead if you really want to/need to use a binary serialization technique.

Common suggestions that you should absolutely not use to persist game state data are:
1. Player Prefs - these are not designed for storing game state. Only...Player Preferences such as graphic & audio settings.
2. BinaryFormatter - this class is dangerous and insecure. Use of this class can allow an attacker to take over the system. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotn...

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👨‍💻 As always, all code from this video is available on GitHub: https://github.com/llamacademy/persis...

📚 Resources 📚
⚫ JSON.Net: https://www.newtonsoft.com/json
⚫ Encrypt/Decrypt Data with AES: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotn...
⚫ Binary Formatter Security: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotn...
⚫ Unity JSON.Net Package: https://docs.unity3d.com/Packages/com...
⚫ Protobuf (BinaryFormatter alternative): https://github.com/protocolbuffers/pr...
⚫ Protobuf C# Docs: https://developers.google.com/protoco...

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Most tutorials come from knowledge gained making https://survival.llama.software Llama Survival - a top-down zombie survival shooter for Android and iOS.
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Chapters:
00:00 What you shouldn't do
01:45 What you should do
03:20 JSON Serialization
04:43 Sample Scene Overview
06:00 Defining IDataService.cs
07:00 Saving Data with JsonDataService.cs
09:33 Saving Data with the DataService in Demo.cs
11:03 Demo Saving Data
11:50 Loading Data with JsonDataService.cs
13:19 Loading Data with the DataService in Demo.cs
14:23 Demo Loading Data
15:36 Encrypting Data in JsonDataService.cs
19:33 Decrypting Data in JsonDataService.cs
22:02 Encryption/Decryption Demo
23:05 Demo Encryption/Decryption Error Handling
23:47 Final Thoughts