-New setting on the PCX converter tab: Resize converted images. With this you can change the size of the converted images. This can be useful if you want to post the screenshots on forums where the allowed images are limited (either in dimension or in size).

-New operation in the context menu of replay search tab: “Check player matches”.

-Detection of subunit (scarab/interceptor) enqueue hack.

-Bugfix in replay search (did not handle latest save date).

-Optimizations and other minor bugfixes.

Syllabus

Course Facilitator: Alan Feng (integral_king@berkeley.edu)

Units: 2 units, Pass/No Pass, CECs by email

Time and Place:

Thursdays 7-9pm at Haas C230

Lab/Discussion (Optional): 12pm – 5pm 1^st floor of Moffitt Library

Course Description:

UC Berkeley students with an interest in real-time strategy games and the competitive gaming landscape are encouraged to participate in this class.

This course will go in-depth in the theory of how war is conducted within the confines of the game Starcraft. There will be lecture on various aspects of the game, from the viewpoint of pure theory to the more computational aspects of how exactly battles are conducted. Calculus and Differential Equations are highly recommended for full understanding of the course. Furthermore, the class will take the theoretical into the practical world by analyzing games and replays to reinforce decision-making skills and advanced Starcraft theory.

Class will start with lecture and usually include a special discussion topic having to do with the day’s lecture to inspire new and original thought. At the end of lecture, there may be time to analyze student-submitted replays to illustrate a point or to improve analysis. Homework will be assigned at the end of each class and is due at the beginning of each lecture.

Course Learning Objectives and Goals:

What may look like complex topics are just ways we want you to think more deeply about the game to derive a greater satisfaction from playing. Furthermore, this understanding should have applications in real life, to further synthesize new information from limited inferences. The primary goal is for students to learn, enjoy the art of competitive StarCraft, and have fun. Overall, students will be applying critical thinking, quick decision-making, and game theory skills throughout the sessions. Students will also learn what to look for in a replay or game to learn most effectively.

Prerequisites:

Students should be familiar with all units and some basic StarCraft strategy. All students should of course enter the class with an open and analytic mind.

Starcraft: Brood War

Other Reading:

The Theory of Starcraft by Alan Feng

Suggested:

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Crazy as Me by Lim Yo Hwan

Attendance and Participation:

All absences must be excused (you should inform the course facilitators no later than the Friday before) and more than two absences will result in a grade of “No Pass.”  Please note that you will not be able to make up any work you missed during class and that new material will build on previous weeks’ instruction. Furthermore, there will be several pop quizzes graded based on completion given in class at a random time, and these will contribute to your participation score as well. It is also expected that students participate by asking questions and voicing their analytical suggestions during the instruction, and by practicing with others.

Course Workload:

Each week, students must submit 2 replays of games they played and are willing to analyze in depth. Students are expected to explain the flow of the game, identify the time of several positive and negative moves, and show an understanding of how to overcome mistakes in these replays. Some replays will be reviewed by the class together. These replays must be emailed to StarcraftDecal@gmail.com with this subject title: First Name, Last Name, Week #. Submissions without that subject title will not be guaranteed to be filtered into the correct folder, and hence, we cannot guarantee that it will be graded. Grading for these replays will be on a credit/nocredit basis. In addition to submitting replays, there will periodically be homework assigned online due in class the following week.

(Tentative) Course Outline:

Week 1: Orientation / Competitive Gaming Industry Overview

Week 2: Units, Strength, Weakness, Attributes, Stats

Week 3: Fighting Micro and Unit Use

Week 4: Army Movement and Positioning

Week 5: Expo and Macro

Week 6: Building Placement and Base Layout

Week 7: Scouting and Counters

Week 8: Harass

Week 9: Overloading the Enemy, Multi-plays

Week 10: Economic Basis, Micro vs Macro

Week 11: Timing and Evaluation of Resources

Week 12: Deception

Week 13: Mindset and Series Play

Week 14: Tournament

Grading Breakdown:

Final Project: 40%

Replay submissions and other homework: 40%

Attendance, Participation, and Quizzes: 20%

Final Project:

There will be a final project where students will present and explain their contribution to the Starcraft Community. This may take the form of an essay detailing new theory or calculations, or an in-depth analysis of a significant game. Whichever final project is chosen will be displayed or published on a public forum for peer criticism.

Starcraft 2 from PC gaming magazine unit preview
Zealot: Zealots are the standard infantry unit of the portoss from starcraft. Still equipped with a pair of glowing psionic blades for melee combat, the zealot will now charge the enemy to close distance with ranged units quicker than before.

Stalker: Stalkers are a new type of dark dragoon. They’re fast moving and lightly armored with a powerful anti-air and anti-infantry weapon, but their secret weapon is there “blink” ability that will allow them to teleport anywhere in visual range in an instant

Immortal: A new type of heavy dragoon, the immortals will be equipped with a shield that activates only when hit by heavy weapons like siege tanks, making them excellent for assaulting heavily defended positions but weak against raiding parties with light weapons.

Observer: The invisible flying eyes of the Protoss are back. We can confirm they’ll be in the game, but further details are shrouded in secrecy.

Colossus: True to it’s name, the colossus is an enormous four-legged walker that rakes the ground with a heavy beam weapon. They will be extremely effective against small swarming units like zerglings or marines-their beams target one unit at a time, and instantly sweep to a new target when the first is destroyed. Using their long legs, they can step up and down ledges with ease.

Phoenix: When its standard fighter weapon wont do the job, the phoenix will be able to activate its overload ability to damage all enemy air units nearby, which also disables the phoenix itself for a few moments. If the overload doesn’t demolish the enemy you’ll be a sitting duck

Phase prism: .The new phase prism will act as both a troop transport and a mobile power pylon allowing you to restore functionality to a base when your pylons are destroyed by raiders or when you build away from your base. Combined with the warp-in tech. Youll be able to use them to crate and army anywhere on the map.

Warp ray: These flying weapons inflict additional damage the longer they fire on a single target as they bring as they bring more beams online, which will make them extremely powerful against large targets like battle cruisers and structures. Their focused fire makes them vulnerable against small anti-air units like marines.

High templar: The high templar is back and he’ll bring his powerful psionic storm area attack with him. But he’s gotten a handy new power he’ll be able to create a force field to trap enemy units temporarily or create barriers. Blizzard testing has revealed some extremely effective bottlenecks tactics using him. The ability to say you can’t go there anymore will be very powerful.
Dark templar: Just like in the first game the dark templar is a stealth unit that wreaks havoc to any force foolish enough to leave home without a detector. any new special abilities have yet to be revealed