World structure

Each world is its own folder. A world folder is often identified by having a universe subfolder, along with other subfolders to store mod configs and regions of the world.

Directory structure

This is the directory structure of the Hytale/Saves folder, where the game saves the entire world data:

• : A world directory.
  • backup: Contains backups of the contents of the universe folder automaticly created by the game while playing.
    • archive: Contains archived backup files. An archived backup is the oldest backup thats about to be replaced with a newer backup.
      • <yyyy>-<MM>-<dd>_<HH>-<mm>-<ss>.zip: An archived backup file.
    • <yyyy>-<MM>-<dd>_<HH>-<mm>-<ss>.zip: A backup file.
  • logs: Contains copies of the games console log.
    • <yyyy>-<MM>-<dd>_<HH>-<mm>-<ss>_server.log: A console log.
  • mods: Stores the installed mods config files and other data that are used with this world.
    • Hytale_Shop: Contains information relating to hytale's shop/merchant entities.
      • barter_shop_state.json: Tracks shop/merchant current stock and restock times. See Barter Shop State format.
  • prefabs: Contains all player created prefabs for this world.
    • <name>.prefab.json: An exported prefab. See Prefab format.
  • universe
    • players: Stores the individual states of the players that have played in this world.
      • <uuid>.json: A json file of the player. See Player format.
    • worlds
      • default: The default world, normally Orbis.
        • chunks: Stores region files of the world.
          • <x>.<z>.region.bin: A region file. See Region file format.
        • resources
          • BlockCounter.json: Tracks how many of a limited block have been placed. See Block Counter format.
          • BlockMapMarkers.json: Tracks the map markers, such as the Forgotten Temple. See Block Map Markers format.
          • ChunkStorage.json: See Chunk Storage format.
          • InstanceData.json: Tracks various instance related data. See Instance Data.
          • PrefabEditSession.json: Used for storing prefab data. See Prefab Edit Session format.
          • ReputationData.json: See Reputation Data format.
          • SharedUserMapMarkers.json: Tracks user defined shared map markers. See Shared User Map Markers format
          • SpawnSuppressionController.json: Used to prevent NPCs from spawning in a given area. See Spawn Suppression Controller format.
          • Time.json: Tracks the in-game time in a real-time equivalent. See Time format.
        • config.json: Contains global information about the world. See World Config format.
    • memories.json: Used to store the players found "Memories". See Memories format.
    • warps.json: Tracks all warp locations. See Warps format.
  • bans.json: Tracks the players that are banned from this world. See Bans format.
  • client_metadata.json: Tracks what patchline the world was last loaded with. See Client Metadata format.
  • config.json: Tracks all mods avablible for the world and which ones are enabled. See Mods Config format.
  • permissions.json: Tracks the permissions of all players. See Permission format.
  • preview.png: The world icon.
  • whitelist.json: Tracks what players are allowed to enter the world. See Whitelist format.

History

Early Access
2026.01.17-4b0f30090	Added client_metadata.json file to track which patchline the world was created with.
2026.02.17-255364b8e	Added SharedUserMapMarkers.json file to track user defined map markers that are shared with other players.
	Added ChunkStorage.json file, current uses is unknown.