When you boot your game you typically load a Lobby map which has its own GM, GS, PC, PS etc. When you join a server you get a new controller, map etc.
Any settings changes done while in the lobby must be saved to file… e.g. Save Game.
When you join a server the GM creates a controller and replicates it to you. Once you get it and have it fully loaded you can fire off an event that passes “Save Game” data to the GM/GS/GI etc.