What is a GLKSAVE file?
A .GLKSAVE file is a saved game file. It is used by interactive fiction games (text adventures) that run on the Glulx virtual machine. The name comes from the Glk API, which handles input and output for these games. When a player saves their progress in a Glulx game, the interpreter writes the current game state to a .GLKSAVE file. A small percentage of these files may also be categorized as Zoom Game Save Packages, which are used by the Zoom interactive fiction interpreter.
How to open GLKSAVE files?
You cannot open a .GLKSAVE file on its own. You must have the original game file, which usually has a .ULX, .BLORB, or .GBLORB extension. To load the save, you must open the main game file in an interactive fiction interpreter such as Gargoyle, Lectrote, or Glulxe. Once the game starts, you can use the in-game command (usually typing "restore") to load the .GLKSAVE file and resume your progress.
Inspecting GLKSAVE files online
If you have a save file but do not know which game it belongs to, viewer.online/glksave can help. You can upload your file to analyze .GLKSAVE files to identify the exact format and creator software, inspect the file structure, extract readable text, and check whether an online preview is available.
Summary
viewer.online/glksave is useful for identifying, inspecting, and understanding .GLKSAVE files without installing software or dealing with compatibility problems.