Recorded vs standard map playback

A replay file doesn't store where every unit was at every moment, so the standard map replay fills in some positions. Accurate playback has the desktop app play the replay with StarCraft II on your PC and record what really happened: every position, attack, spell and creep tumor. The note on the map then reads Recorded game playback.

What you need

• The desktop app, version 0.16.11 or newer, running and linked on your PC.
• StarCraft II installed on that PC, and the replay still in its replay folder.
• Some spare CPU: recording runs StarCraft II in the background and can keep your PC busy for several minutes per game.

Record one game

1. 1
   Open your game page. The playback quality card shows Standard or Recorded playback, and whether the desktop app is online. Select Upgrade playback when a recording is needed.
2. 2
   Keep the desktop app open. The steps show Requested, Recording in StarCraft, Uploading and Ready. The recording clock is elapsed waiting/recording time, not the replay's game clock. Open What happens? for the CPU note and desktop Settings → Map replay guidance.
3. 3
   The map switches after the recording uploads. A private bell notification also links back to a website-requested upload, so you can leave this page. Previously saved recordings are reused.

Record every new game

1. 1
   In the desktop app, open Settings and tick Automatically capture map replays (uses more CPU) under Map replay. It applies straight away.
2. 2
   Each new game is recorded after it ends, before it syncs.
3. 3
   For games you already synced, run Re-sync once. Games with a saved recording aren't recorded again.

If it doesn't work

• Recording failed. Keep the desktop agent open and try again. The app was closed, or StarCraft II couldn't play the replay. Open the app and press the button again.
• Recording is still processing. Large games take longer. Check back in a few minutes; you can leave the page.
• The Recorded playback badge with no upgrade button means the saved recording is already complete. Recording actions are available on your own games; public/shared viewers cannot start a capture.
• Still on Older replay data? The game was synced by an old desktop app version. Update the app and run Re-sync.

Streaming replay sections

Recorded playback downloads small time sections as you watch, usually about one game minute each. The next section is fetched ahead, earlier sections can be reused, and decoded sections share a 24 MB browser cache. A cached transition has no loading cover. On a slow connection the last frame stays visible with a small loading status; an error offers Retry playback. Wait for the current section or seek to a section you already watched. Cast markers from decoded sections remain on the timeline when their detailed movement data leaves the cache.