Program in Development - Starcraft Strategy Creator

UPDATE: Join the forum group! http://www.starcraft2forum.org/forums/group.php?groupid=31

UPDATE 2: Preview Screenshots below! Yes, I know i'm bad at editing to show only one screen, that's why a little part of the screen on one or two may be cut off. D:

UPDATE 3 (August 6th, 2008): I've been surprised with a vacation - so this'll be released next week. Sorry!

Hi there guys, Hato here.

For sometime now, I have been working on a program called the Starcraft Strategy Creator. The program basically allows you to create a step-by-step list of your Starcraft strategy, and then save it and allow it to be reviewed by others.

Creating a strategy is very easy. With a drop-down list of actions to pick from, customize your strategy to your liking. This program DOES NOT perform the strategy for you.

Along with the creation feature, the program will also feature a Unit and Building viewer, where you can find out all of the statistics about all of the units and buildings for all of the races. When I say all, I pretty much mean all. The only one that may take time is Build Time.

The program is still in development and the Alpha will hopefully be released this week. (Week of July 21st, 2008).

Question and Answer

Q: Who is developing this program?

A: I am developing the program by myself - so the releasing may be a little
slower.

Q: Will this cost anything? Do you need donations?

A: No, this program will not cost anything, and no, I don't need donations.

Q: When will the program be released? Will new features be added
as time passes?

A: This all depends on how much time I have, and if there are any good
ideas for new features. Updates will be released often though.



If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to post! Thanks alot guys.

- Hato

Screenshots!

Unit Picker



Strategy Screen



Naming The Strategy

 

So, is it a build order guideline program you're making? It sounds like a great way for players to improve their play skill - You look at the guideline of the build order you want, and because it's only build order, it forces you to improvise in different situations. I have a feeling you'd benefit from reading Joneagle_X's article if you haven't already

 

Yep, that's basically exactly what it is. =).

 

Sounds good. Could be very helpful for noobs like me and other more skilled players. Now I'll be able to find out why I can't win on b.net without having to use the excuse "It's because I'm not korean".

 

Well guys, after being back from my weekend trip, I am finalizing the Unit viewing of the Terran. I hope to release the first edition of the editor sometime this week

 

I am no longer a noob but a man!

 

WOo. Terran's always a good thing.

Thanks Hato, I know this'll help me when you release it.

 

You think major willy that i can have as much posts as you?

 

I don't have as much as other people.

Hato when can a rough date be estimated for the full release?

 

Does hato work at blizzard or something cause that would be awesome!

 

No, he prolly doesn't.
And Jacob, don't make it a game to get a high post count. Put some thought behind your posts.
Quality > Quantity.

 

No guys, I don't work at Blizzard - that'd be fun though .

An estimated full release date? I'd have to say late August, but i'll be releasing hopefully every week updates, starting this Friday.

Also guys, please note that the GUI isn't supposed to look pretty at the moment. .

Features Available So Far (August 1st, 2008)

*Unit viewing for Terran.
*Basic adding of Steps
*Basic strategy creation

 

B*tchin'.

Might take me a solid half hour to learn the damn thing without instructions, because that's usually what I do.

 

Haha man, don't worry about it - it'll be very simple to use - i'll give you examples right now!

So, to create your strategy there's gonna be a few windows. You've got the window that holds your whole entire strategy, and you've got the window that you create your strategy with.

But really, all you have to do is type a few numbers, because i've tried to make it as simple as possible for everyone to use.

So, for example, this can be one of the things you can do.

Build "#" of "Building"

So, for example.

Build "2" of "Pylon".

You would then click a button and add it to your strategy. Here's the ones i've got so far - please post if you have any you'd like me to add!

Mass "#" of "Unit"
EX: Mass "12" of "Marine"

Build "#" of "Building"
EX: Build "2" of "Pylon"

Create "#" of "Unit"
EX: Create "4" "Hydralisks"

Expand with "Building"
EX: Expand with "Command Center"

Learn "Ability"
EX: Learn "Stim Packs".

Using all of the names is very helpful, because along with being able to name all of these, the Strategy Creator will also count how many Minerals/Vespene you need to execute your strategy.

Please post if you have ideas! =D

 

So you just pre-program it then run it to see how it plays out or...?

Is it just something to look at and nod in approval if you think you've worked the flaws out?

 

Basically it's more like, you create the strategy and it generates a list that shows exactly how your build order should be.

I was also thinking of adding some more code in which generates Triggers for StarEdit, so that you build order could become Objective based.

 

Okay, so let me see if I understand this. You tell it what you want to build and it tells you the fastest way to get there? By giving you the build order and times? Or just the build order? Also looking through your command examples what is the difference between massing units and just creating them? Is there a difference in priority in the build order? Or is it just a difference in your intent for the unit?

 

Massing units in my opinion is creating over 10 or more.
Creating units is less than 10.

Doesn't matter, you can use either of them in any way you'd like.

And yes, you are basically creating a build order - I think that the time your order will take will be implemented in later, because I don't know the build times for every single unit/building/upgrade.

 

Wonderful.

I usually can't get a solid build order, I usually fluctuate with it.

 

It would actually be great if someone could find the build times on everything. I've been looking, but no luck so far