The Starcraft Dataset - open data and visualization project

[hoytman]

The Starcraft Dataset was a project that I started a few years ago to support the Starcraft community. Although this is a game community, it is 4.6 million people strong (same as the population of Louisiana.) THis dataset records the wins and losses (both by unit and economically) of every unit in the game when matched against every other unit in the game, in groups from 1 to 15 units. Want to know the outcome of a fight between 6 marines and 3 flyers? This list has the outcome.

The original dataset is hosted on my server and a simple visualization can be seen here:

http://www.clearuse.us/starcraft/index.php

My original objective was commercial gain, but I feel that this data set and the developmental activities associated with it would render far greater social gains if it were made public and open. I would like to campion this project in association with Open Chattanooga and would encourage the community to develop and interact with this data set. I feel that it would offer an attractive avenue for young programmers (especially the ones that play this game) to get involved with data visualization and community development. In time, these people could become a great asset to the Open community while they build their professional skill-set and portfolio. Also, this project would be able to draw the attention of the 4.6 million strong Starcraft community to the Open cause.

My Plans:

Approach the educational institutes and contact interested teachers and students.
Host events involving data, web programming and visualization.
Improve and increase the Starcraft dataset.
Encourage people to 'play' with the data and create new visualizations.
Encourage growth and exploration in the areas of web design and visualization.
Encourage participants to investigate other Open initiatives.
Build a brand involving Starcraft data visualization.
Support the Starcraft Community.
Get recognition from the greater community for our collective work.
Establish credibility with potential employers and data owners.
Use the brand to advance the goals of the open community.
Connect talented data visualizers with the businesses and organizations that need them.
Continue to grow.

My needs:

General support from the Open community.
A space to meet.
A location with power to set up a data research hub.
Computers.
Server space to host the data and visualizations.
Open minds and ambitious hearts.
Volunteers.

The results

An Open data set which will support millions of people.
An ongoing effort to learn and work with data and visualization.
An intelligent group of people willing to support other Open projects.
Recognition for the power of Open Data, its people, and its creative application.
A project for the 4th floor that can effectively create new knowledge.