Starcraft AI blog

If you watch only one pro game this month, I recommend Flash versus Soulkey (the last game in the cast, starting at about 2:07:20 into the video), played today. It is a TvZ with continuous excellent play on both sides, continuing into the late game with all bases taken.

The game is the deciding ace game of the grand final match of the Afreeca Team Battle tournament, a team tournament. The player who wins the game brings tournament victory to his team, so they gave it their all.

Flash is the world #1 TvZ player, and Soulkey has become a top ZvT expert; the game was on a higher level than an ordinary pro game. It is interesting partly because it is standard: Both players followed mainline strategy, Flash going 5 barracks +1 into late game mech switch and Soulkey going 3 hatchery mutalisk into lurkers, then defilers and finally ultralisks. The mainline strategy represents the best known play, and both players kicked it up a notch with sharp attacks and precise defenses.

It was a great game that fans will remember, and there’s a lot to learn from it. From the point of view of a bot author, it is depressing how much game knowledge and skill are visible.

Update: It amused me to collect some quotes from the Teamliquid thread. The first 4 quotes are from before the game finished.

“Really impressive to see Soulkey hold his own against Flash in a macro game.” — ZiggyPG
“This is a GREAT game.” — [[Starlight]]
“hes matching Flash move for move and looking ...good” — Probemicro
“That was some sick moves” — psd
“GG that was an amazing game” — CakeSauc3
“WORTH THE SORE THROAT” — LittLeLives
“I suggest you watch the game, it was incredible” — Piste
“Just incredible level of play in my opinion.” — Netto.
“That ace match was the most beautiful game I’ve seen in a very very long time” — jamesuh