Introduction

Most starcraft players who start exploring the possibilities of writing their own AI scripts are doing so because they think the current AI is too predictable. Playing the original starcraft/broodwar AI can be very challenging at times, especially against multiple opponents, but after playing the AI numerous times, perhaps you realised (as I did) it would be more fun if the AI used a wider variety of build up and attack strategies. Imagine a Protoss AI rushing into a Terran base with 50 Dark Templars or a Terran AI attacking a Zerg expansion with a group of 24 cloaked Wraiths and 6 Siege Tanks all at once.

With the introduction of the latest starcraft patches (1.10+) and SCAIEdit 3.1 it has finally become quite easy to create new starcraft AIs. The people behind the Broodwar AI Project even created some incredible performing AI scripts. Their latest AI pack can be found at:
http://www.entropyzero.org/BroodwarAI.html

Note: keep in mind that we can only control the macro of the current AI and we all know how important micro is. This means that a starcraft player with good micro will be able to defeat even the strongest AI.

General Guidelines

Though programming experience is not necessary to be able to construct starcraft AI scripts, it does help. On the other hand, if you haven't got any programming experience yet, this is the perfect opportunity to learn the basics. Here are some general guidelines:

• Simplicity is important. In other words: keep it simple. As long as you have the feeling a script is a little too simple, you are doing fine. Start out simple and make sure the script works (you should test it several times). As long as you create a backup before adding new code, you can always go back to the previous (working) version and start again from there.
• Divide your script into sections and include some comments for each section. This improves readability.
• Any other general programming guideline.

Index

Here's a list of the tutorials:

• Tutorial 1: The Basics
• Tutorial 2: Upgrades
• Tutorial 3: The Goto Command
• Tutorial 4: Rushes and Big Attacks
• Tutorial 5: New and Improved Protoss AI

Let us take a look at the tutorial that explains The Basics.