bytekeeper / bwaishotgun

Utility to quickly setup Starcraft Broodwar matches between 2 *or more* bots

BWAIShotgun

Utility to quickly setup Starcraft Broodwar matches between 2 or more bots

Be aware that all bots will be executed directly, without any layer of isolation. If you need a more secure environment, either use sc-docker or setup BWAIShotgun in a VM.

Usage

Setup BWAIshotgun

Download the latest release of bwaishotgun.z7 and unpack it. Since Virus Scanners might interfere with download, it is password protected with the password shotgun. The bwheadless file inside might trigger your Virus Scanner directly or indirectly (when bwaishotgun is started).

I built the binary using a fork of the origin bwheadless, feel free to check the code. It certainly does fishy things, which is to be expected as it heavily modifies StarCraft to run without UI etc. I also modified it to run with "normal" game speed (LF3) - because most bots expect that.

Setup the Game

Have an installation of StarCraft Broodwar 1.16 (or get it here).

Copy the SNP_DirectIP.snp (Local PC network inside the game) - the modified version of BWAIshotgun allows for 8 bots to play in a single game.

Configure BWAIshotgun

Edit the shotgun.toml file. Many newer Java bots should run with any odd Java you have installed. In that case, just leave the java setting open, and try the version on the PATH.

Download bots of your choice (only BWAPI 4.2+ bots were tested) from https://www.sscaitournament.com/index.php?action=scores. Inside the bots directory, copy the template directory and rename it to the bot. Place the BWAPI.dll inside, and the bot binary inside the bwapi-data\AI folder.

To setup a game, edit the game.toml file. Add the absolute path of the map you want, and setup the bots. The description of the game_type variable should be sufficient.

Setup a sandbox

Ladders like SSCAIT and BASIL are using virtualization solutions. You might want to protect your computer from malicious code in bots as well. Consider setting up a sandbox (like Sandboxie) or a virtual machine.

Running BWAIshotgun

Finally, run bwaishotgun.exe - it should show some info output of bots being started. There is currently no timeout mechanism. If the game does not stop after a few minutes, kill it and check the logs folder inside each bot folder for errors.

After the game ran, check the replays folder for each bot - they should contain the replay from that bots perspective.

If a bot fails to work, feel free to open an issue - please include a zipped up version of that bots directory. Bots older that BWAPI 4.2 might need some more setup, please make sure that it can run without bwaishotgun, before opening a ticket.

Additional Artifact Sources

bwheadless Tournament Modules WMode injectory

bwaishotgun's Issues

Game Host in Headful Mode Stalls at Map Selection

If the AI that will host the game is launched in headful mode, it will stall at the map selection screen.

Headful Mode Broken For 4.1.2 AIs

Launching Headful mode for a 4.1.2 AI stalls at the main menu.

Manual executable should use path relative to bot folder

Add LF3 patch for bwheadless

Add TM support

Default to BASIL TM, but allow custom one