Files would work better than DATA. DATA consumes valuable space.

Create the default files with your editor and save them for the game package. That way a user can go back to defaults any time they want. Then create user files to save game data when completing a level.

To create the first user files just copy the default files with different names. Then the user can play, alter the setting while playing and resume anytime.

How do you find out if it is a first time user? Use the LOF for a file that is created when the user enters their name and any other info. If the file is empty then the program knows to create the user files automatically and asks for a user name and password. It does not have to ask for user info unless they ask to use another name.

DATA will just consume valuable program space that you really need for the game itself.

Ted