The direct.dat file as well as saveinfo.dat can be used at the start of a tactical mission to determine if the mission was loaded from a savegame or if it is a new tactical mission. This is done [assuming you are using a batch program or xcomutil or both] by deleting direct.dat after a tactical mission so it will not be there when you check for its existence at the start of the next tactical (unless it is a savegame), this way direct.dat will only be found when it's a savegame, as it's only created upon loading a saved tactical. Saveinfo.dat has the savegame name (GAME_XX) added into the file if tactical is being loaded from a savegame, if it is a new tactical, no name is added, and the file is shorter. These are useful. -Fubar