ArtMoney SE: The Ultimate Guide for Game Save EditingArtMoney SE is a memory and save-editor tool aimed primarily at PC gamers who want to modify in-game values such as money, health, experience, and inventory. This guide covers what ArtMoney SE does, how it works, step-by-step instructions for common tasks, safety and legality considerations, alternatives, and troubleshooting tips to help you edit game saves responsibly and effectively.
What is ArtMoney SE?
ArtMoney SE is a utility that scans a running process’s memory (or edit saved game files depending on the game) to locate numeric values used by games — for example, the amount of in-game currency, health points, or item counts — and allows the user to change those values. It’s often used to obtain advantages in single-player games, to experiment with game mechanics, or to restore corrupted save data by manually fixing values.
Key features:
- Search and filter numeric values (integers, floats, byte arrays).
- Modify memory values in real time while the game is running.
- Search within save files for offline editing where supported.
- Support for pointer scanning to find stable addresses across sessions.
- Basic scripting and automated search operations.
Is it legal and safe?
Legal and ethical considerations:
- Using ArtMoney SE in single-player games for personal experimentation or convenience is generally legal, but it may violate the game’s End User License Agreement (EULA).
- Using ArtMoney SE to cheat in multiplayer or online games is unethical and often explicitly prohibited; it can lead to bans, account suspension, or legal action depending on the game and platform.
- Modifying or distributing copyrighted game files may violate copyright law in some jurisdictions.
Safety:
- Running memory editors requires administrative privileges in many cases. Only download ArtMoney SE from its official source to avoid malware.
- Editing memory or save files incorrectly can corrupt saves. Always back up save files before editing.
- Anti-cheat systems may flag or block memory editors; use caution and avoid online play when using such tools.
How ArtMoney SE works — basic concepts
Memory layout:
- Games store dynamic data (player stats, inventory, positions) in the process memory while running. These values often shift between sessions and versions.
- A memory editor scans the address space of a running process to find values that match user-specified criteria (value type and number).
Common search types:
- Exact value search: Find addresses that currently hold a specific number (e.g., current money = 1000).
- Increased/Decreased/Changed/Unchanged: Narrow results by how they changed after an in-game event.
- Unknown initial value: Useful when you don’t know the exact number; you can search by change direction or by repeated narrowing after in-game actions.
Pointers and pointer scanning:
- Direct memory addresses often change each time a game runs. Pointers are memory addresses that reference other addresses; finding the correct pointer chain yields stable target addresses across sessions.
- Pointer scanning helps locate the base pointer that leads to the desired value even after restarts or level loads.
Data types:
- Common types include Byte, Word (2 bytes), DWord (4 bytes/int32), QWord (8 bytes/int64), Float, and Double. Choosing the correct type is essential for accurate results.
Step-by-step: Editing a simple value (e.g., in-game money)
-
Backup:
- Close the game.
- Copy the relevant save files to a safe location.
-
Launch:
- Start the game and load the save where you want to edit values.
- Launch ArtMoney SE and run it as Administrator if required.
-
Attach to process:
- In ArtMoney SE, select the game process from the process list to attach.
-
Initial search:
- Note your current in-game money (e.g., 1000).
- In ArtMoney SE, choose an appropriate data type (commonly DWord for money) and enter the value to search.
- Start the scan; ArtMoney will return a list of matching addresses.
-
Narrow down:
- Go back to the game and change the money value (spend or earn some).
- In ArtMoney, use Increased/Decreased/Changed/Unchanged filters or search for the new exact value to narrow results.
- Repeat until you have a small number of addresses (ideally 1).
-
Modify:
- Double-click the correct address to add it to the result list.
- Change the value to your desired number (e.g., 999999).
- Switch back to the game to confirm the change took effect.
-
Save persistent change (if needed):
- Some games only use memory during runtime; changes will revert on reload. To make persistent edits, either:
- Use pointer scanning to find a stable address and modify it each session, or
- Edit the game’s save file directly if you can locate the value within the file (use ArtMoney’s file search mode or a hex editor).
- Some games only use memory during runtime; changes will revert on reload. To make persistent edits, either:
Advanced techniques
Pointer scanning and multilevel pointers:
- Use ArtMoney’s pointer scanning feature to locate base structures and offsets that persist across runs.
- Perform pointer scans after finding the dynamic address, then restart the game and verify the pointer path still resolves to the correct value.
AOB (Array of Bytes) and signature scanning:
- When numeric searches fail, search for surrounding byte patterns (AOB) to find code or data blocks that reference the value.
- This is more advanced and often used by trainers and modders.
Scripting and automation:
- Use ArtMoney scripts (if available in SE edition) to automate repetitive searches and edits.
- Scripts can apply multiple edits, set triggers, or back up values before changing them.
Save-file editing:
- If a game stores values in plain, editable save formats (XML, JSON, plaintext), use a text editor.
- For binary saves, search within the file for the numeric value represented in the proper endian and data type; modify carefully and test.
Troubleshooting common problems
Too many results:
- Perform in-game actions that change only the value you care about, then use Changed/Unchanged filters to narrow results.
- Try different data types (Float vs DWord).
Values revert on reload:
- The game may overwrite memory from a save or recalculate values on load. Find and edit the save file directly or locate persistent pointer chains.
Anti-cheat detection:
- Don’t use ArtMoney with online/multiplayer games. Anti-cheat systems may detect memory manipulation and ban accounts.
Application crashes or missing permissions:
- Run as Administrator.
- Ensure your antivirus isn’t blocking the tool.
- Match the tool’s bitness to the game (32-bit vs 64-bit).
Cannot find exact value (obfuscated/encrypted):
- Some games store obfuscated or encrypted values. You may need to find routines that encode/decode values in memory and patch them, which is advanced and riskier.
Alternatives to ArtMoney SE
Tool | Strengths | Weaknesses |
---|---|---|
Cheat Engine | Powerful, large community, pointer/structure maps | Steeper learning curve; more detection risk in some anti-cheat systems |
Save editors (game-specific) | Directly edit save files; persistent | Limited to games with available editors; may not exist for all titles |
Trainers (pre-made) | Easy, one-click cheats | Limited flexibility; may be unsafe if downloaded from untrusted sources |
Hex editors | Precise file editing | Requires knowledge of data representations; no process memory scanning |
Best practices and ethics
- Always back up saves before editing.
- Avoid using memory editors in multiplayer games.
- Respect developers’ terms for online play and modding policies.
- Use edits for learning, experimentation, or personal use in single-player contexts.
Example quick workflow checklist
- Backup your save files.
- Launch game and load save.
- Attach ArtMoney SE to the game process.
- Search for the known value (choose correct type).
- Change value in-game; narrow search.
- Modify the found address to desired value.
- Verify in-game; if persistent change needed, locate save file or pointers.
- Revert or clean up if issues occur.
Final notes
ArtMoney SE is a practical tool for single-player experimentation and save editing but requires care: back up saves, be cautious around anti-cheat systems, and respect game creators’ policies. Mastering pointer scans, AOB searches, and save-file formats will increase your success with persistent changes and more complex targets.
Leave a Reply