Magarena 1.65

[melvin]

This release adds the Russian translation for the UI. The performance of the UI
has also been improved by changing how the log and stack is rendered. The card
script has been extended to support mechanics for the upcoming set. In
addition, 21 bugs were fixed, 33 prebuilt decks and 12 cards were added.

Click here to download for Windows, Linux and MacOSX.

includes contributions from:
lodici
melvin
ShawnieBoy

- options for game log accessed via a new menu icon on the its titlebar

- game log is completely hidden when turned off (issue #170)

- add new deck pack from ubeefx

- add Russian UI translation

- keywords help page (keywords.txt) can now be translated

- added the following to the card script:
* ability: devoid
* ability: ingest
* ability: awaken <n> <cost>

- fixed the following bugs:
* log widget causes UI to slow down when there are many log entries (issue #419)
* translation setting is overwritten when importing
* casting without mana cost does not allow paying additional costs
* card used to cast a spell can be discarded to pay for its own additional cost
* miracle trigger did not check that card still in hand before casting
* cascade should move cards to bottom after casting instead of before
* AI would cast Skyreaping when it has zero devotion to green
* AI would cast Echoes of the Kin Tree when it doesn't have any creature in play (issue #399)
* Demonic Tutor's chosen card is revealed in the log (issue #411)
* Raka Sanctuary checks for green permanent instead of blue (issue #414)
* Warstorm Surge and Stalking Vengeance's trigger deals incorrect damage (issue #415)
* That Which Was Taken's target choice should be targetted (issue #424)
* Lifespinner's ability can be activated without three Spirits (issue #425)
* Garruk Relentless's transform triggered infinitely
* Disciple of Kangee's ability should cost and not
* Shuriken's throw ability causes the MCTS AI to crash
* Bloodthirsty Ogre's ability requires a Demon permanent not Demon creature
* Undead Leotau's ability should give it +1/-1 instead of +1/+1
* Owl Familiar missing flying
* Shallow Grave should reanimate the top creature card, not the top card
* Colfenor's Urn didn't return any cards to play after it was sacrificed

- added the following cards:
Anchor to the Æther, Artificer's Epiphany, Chandra's Ignition,
Deep-Sea Terror, Displacement Wave, Dominator Drone,
Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen, Fiery Impulse, Graveblade Marauder, Sheer Drop,
Vine Snare, Woodland Bellower

[sponeta]

Wow I don't know what you guys did but everything is much faster now! No more slowdowns! Even my deck filled with legendary stuff that used to bog down like nobodys business plays like a dream now! Best update since like ever!

[melvin]

Wow I don't know what you guys did but everything is much faster now! No more slowdowns! Even my deck filled with legendary stuff that used to bog down like nobodys business plays like a dream now! Best update since like ever!

Thanks, glad to hear the positive impact. Probably the log widget causing the slow down, previously it was being modified on each update and with all previous log messages. The new approach uses only a fix number of previous log messages and incremental updates to the log widget.

Btw, I'm hope to present a talk on Magarena's AI at a local developer conference next month. I'd appreciate help to vote for the talk at http://www.geekcamp.sg/talks/magarena-game-ai.html by clicking on the "like" button (Facebook account required). Thanks in advance for your support!

[ubeefx]

Hi Melvin, you make me a bit curious about what lessons you did learn about Magic AI.
Can you give us a sneak preview? I remember you started with adding the "cheating AI" feature.
By my own play experience it does not feel like the AI in Magarena has evolved that much.
The main progression has been all the added cards and the UI improvements imho.

[melvin]

It will be an update and extension of an earlier talk http://www.slideshare.net/melvinzhang/b ... -gathering

It covers the evolution of the MCTS AI in Magarena. Briefly, why MCTS is a good fit for Magarena, starting with a cheating version and figuring out the non-cheating (honest) version, improving the performance by utilizing multiple cores.