Scriptable objects as inventory items unable to save reference

Questions & Answers
1

I recently implemented scriptable objects as data container for inventory items. Upon collecting an item a reference to the scriptable object is stored along with information specific to that item instance such as number stacked and durability.

This system works well until I try to save the inventory to be loaded later. Its trivial to save dynamic information number stacked and durability. It does not seem possible to directly save a reference to scriptable object. I’m wondering if anyone has any idea for a work around? Or if I just need to give up on this route and remove scriptable objects from my inventory system?

As a side note I’m a disappointed that on both Unity’s scriptable object tutorials the basic use case is for inventory items because its extremely limited if a reference to the scriptable object cannot be saved.

links to tutorials:

2

After trying a couple more things I came to workable solution, and now see how its possible save and load a reference to a scriptable objects . Heres my solution.

Add unique ID to a scriptable object.
Store a list/array of scriptable object on your script.
Save the unique Id to file using player prefs or binary ( Unity Connect)
When loading iterate through scriptable object list and set correct references.

Although it be easier to save a reference to a scriptable object this isn’t too much extra work, so I’m rejoining the glorious scriptable object revolution.