FF8/Variables

Game variables can be accessed using the PSHM family of script functions, and can be written to by using the POPM family of functions. Which one you use depends on the variable.

Var type	Var Number	Description
Word	256	Main Story quest progress. In PC saves, value is at offset 0xE10
Byte	440	"First time" dialogue flags. (+16 Nida)
Byte	488	Alternate Party Flags. Irvine +1/+16, Quistis +2/+32, Rinoa +4/+64, Zell +8/+128.1
Byte	720	Squall's costume (0=normal, 1=student, 2=SeeD, 3=Bandage on forehead)
Byte	721	Zell's Costume (0=normal, 1=student, 2=SeeD)
Byte	722	Selphie's costume (0=normal, 1=student, 2=SeeD)
Byte	728	Random game seed? Value of Tomb of Unknown King student ID. Possibly does other things as well.
Byte	730	Joined Garden Festival committee (1=yes, 0=no)
Byte	734	Split Party Flags (+1 Zell, +2 Irvine, +4 Rinoa, +8 Quistis, +16 Selphie).2

Notes

1. When the party splits in disc 2, each party member in the inactive party except Selphie has one of the eight bits changed for this variable. One member has a flag in the 4 most significant bits, and the other has a flag in the 4 least significant bits. It's done this way so that when the characters appear, they animate towards different locations in the field, rather than stacking on top of each other.

2. This byte contains flags for which characters are in Squall's party when the party splits in disc 2.