after searching for way too long i found the issue with the save files and sadly it means that if you want any saves from V12.02 to function,
you need to manually go to the save file location and either remove the 4 text files for "Islands, NuclearSites, Coast, Capitals" and edit the internal version back to "v120000 "From "v120200"
or Empty the Coast and Island text file (not remove the entire file, just leave it a empty text file)
this is due to me accidentally making them save down the reference to the list of all province IDs instead of the individual IDs that those values effected.
I don't own a linux so i sadly don't know the path to the save files for linux users, if any smart linux person knows please write a comment describing the path and i will update this to include the path ^^
for windows you want to write %appdata% in the file path, then you wanna go back one folder to the folder called just appdata
then enter the folder called local low, then default company, then EarthRoyale.
in earthroyale you will see 1-3 folders depending on the save types you've used, "Scenarios" "PaintMode" and "Saves", you will find all your saves there!
(My mac is in Swedish so i will directly translate the button names to english, so it might be slightly differently named
also in the path you write into the go to file, user should be in your computers language and username should be replaced by your profile name on the mac itself!)
for Mac you want to enter finder, click go on the top bar, click go to file/folder
write "/user/UserName/Library/Application Support/"
from there you want to go to default company, earthroyale.
in earthroyale you will see 1-3 folders depending on the save types you've used, "Scenarios" "PaintMode" and "Saves", you will find all your saves there!
Sorry for this issue and i hope it hasn't been to much of a issue ^^ only save files from V12.02.00 should be effected by this since the game only started saving down coast and islands in V12.02 in preparation of a feature that will be Added in V12.03.00
a bug patch fixing the saving will be sent out soon! and i will do my best to help anyone that ask for it in the comments of this post or in the official discord server!