Speedrunning isn’t just about playing games; it’s about mastering them. It’s a captivating blend of skill, strategy, and meticulous planning, all focused on completing a video game (or a specific section of it) as quickly as possible. Beyond simple completion, speedrunning delves into exploiting glitches, optimizing routes, and pushing the limits of gameplay mechanics. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a curious observer, the world of speedrunning offers a fascinating look into the dedication and ingenuity of the gaming community.
What is Speedrunning?
The Basics of Speedrunning
At its core, speedrunning involves playing a video game with the primary goal of finishing it in the fastest time possible. This seemingly simple concept hides layers of complexity, from route optimization to technical execution. Runners meticulously plan their playthroughs, looking for the most efficient paths and techniques to shave off valuable seconds (or even milliseconds!).
- Definition: Completing a game (or a defined portion of it) as quickly as possible, often under specific rules and conditions.
- Key Elements: Route planning, glitch utilization, frame-perfect execution, and community-driven rules.
- Beyond Completion: It’s about mastery of the game’s mechanics, exploiting weaknesses, and optimizing every aspect of the playthrough.
Different Categories of Speedruns
Speedrunning isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Different categories and rulesets exist to cater to various playstyles and preferences. Understanding these categories is crucial for appreciating the diversity within the speedrunning community.
- Any%: The most common category, where the goal is to complete the game as fast as possible, using any means necessary. Glitches, skips, and sequence breaks are all fair game.
- 100%: Requires the completion of all content within the game, including collecting all items, completing all side quests, and defeating all bosses.
- Glitchless: Prohibits the use of glitches and exploits, requiring runners to play the game as intended by the developers.
- Low%: The goal is to beat the game with the lowest possible completion percentage, sometimes involving skipping essential items and content.
- All Bosses: Requires defeating every boss in the game, often under specific conditions.
Why People Speedrun: The Appeal
The Thrill of Optimization
One of the main reasons people get hooked on speedrunning is the constant pursuit of optimization. Each run is a learning experience, and runners are always looking for ways to improve their times and strategies.
- Problem-solving: Speedrunning presents a unique puzzle, challenging players to find the most efficient solutions.
- Continuous Improvement: The ability to constantly refine and improve strategies is a major draw for competitive individuals.
- Community Collaboration: Sharing discoveries and strategies with other runners leads to faster times for everyone.
The Sense of Community
The speedrunning community is known for its supportive and collaborative nature. Runners often share tips, tricks, and strategies with each other, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
- Shared Passion: Connecting with others who share the same love for a particular game creates a strong bond.
- Knowledge Sharing: Runners are always willing to help each other improve, whether by sharing strategies, providing feedback, or offering encouragement.
- Events and Gatherings: Speedrunning events like Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) and Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) bring the community together to raise money for charity.
The Challenge and Mastery
Mastering a game for speedrunning requires an incredible amount of dedication and skill. Runners spend countless hours practicing their routes and techniques, perfecting their execution.
- Skill Development: Speedrunning hones reflexes, problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking.
- Dedication and Perseverance: The pursuit of faster times requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
- Sense of Accomplishment: Achieving a personal best (PB) or setting a world record is an incredibly rewarding experience.
Getting Started with Speedrunning
Choosing a Game
Selecting the right game is the first step to becoming a speedrunner. Consider choosing a game you already enjoy or one that has an active speedrunning community.
- Personal Preference: Start with a game you love playing. This will make the learning process more enjoyable.
- Community Activity: Choose a game with an active speedrunning community. This will provide you with resources, support, and competition.
- Game Length: Consider the length of the game. Shorter games are often easier to learn and master.
Learning the Basics
Once you’ve chosen a game, it’s time to start learning the basics of speedrunning. This includes understanding the game’s mechanics, studying existing speedruns, and practicing your route.
- Watch Existing Speedruns: Observe how experienced runners play the game. Pay attention to their routes, techniques, and strategies.
- Study Route Guides: Many speedrunning communities create detailed route guides that outline the optimal path through the game.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: There’s no substitute for practice. Spend time mastering the basic techniques and executing your route consistently.
Recording and Sharing Your Runs
Recording and sharing your speedruns is a great way to get feedback from the community and track your progress.
- Recording Software: Use recording software like OBS Studio or XSplit to capture your gameplay.
- Streaming Platforms: Consider streaming your runs on platforms like Twitch or YouTube to interact with other runners and viewers.
- Community Forums: Share your runs on speedrunning forums and websites to get feedback and advice from experienced runners.
Common Speedrunning Techniques and Glitches
Movement Tech
Efficient movement is crucial for speedrunning. Runners often use advanced techniques to move through the game world as quickly as possible.
- Bunny Hopping: Maintaining momentum by jumping repeatedly.
- Wall Jumping: Using walls to gain extra height or distance.
- Crouch Sliding: Sliding along the ground to maintain speed.
Sequence Breaking
Sequence breaking involves skipping parts of the game or completing them out of order, often by exploiting glitches or unintended mechanics.
- Early Access: Obtaining items or abilities earlier than intended.
- Area Skipping: Bypassing entire sections of the game.
- Trigger Manipulation: Activating events or triggers in an unintended order.
Glitch Exploitation
Glitches are often used in speedruns to skip sections, duplicate items, or gain other advantages.
- Clip Through Walls: Passing through solid objects by exploiting collision errors.
- Item Duplication: Creating multiple copies of valuable items.
- Code Execution: Using glitches to execute arbitrary code, allowing for complete control over the game.
The Impact of Speedrunning
Charity Events
Speedrunning has had a significant impact on the gaming community, particularly through charity events like Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) and Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ).
- Raising Millions: These events have raised millions of dollars for charities like the Prevent Cancer Foundation and Doctors Without Borders.
- Community Engagement: AGDQ and SGDQ bring the speedrunning community together to celebrate gaming and raise awareness for important causes.
- Inspiration and Motivation: These events inspire others to get involved in speedrunning and use their skills to make a positive impact.
Game Development Influence
Speedrunning can also influence game development by revealing hidden mechanics and glitches that developers may not have been aware of.
- Bug Fixes: Developers often fix glitches that are discovered by speedrunners, improving the overall game experience.
- Design Insights: Speedrunning can provide developers with valuable insights into how players interact with their games, leading to better design choices in future titles.
- Community Collaboration: Some developers actively engage with the speedrunning community, seeking feedback and incorporating their suggestions into updates and patches.
Conclusion
Speedrunning is more than just beating a game quickly; it’s about pushing boundaries, mastering mechanics, and engaging with a passionate community. Whether you’re driven by the thrill of optimization, the challenge of competition, or the desire to support charitable causes, the world of speedrunning offers something for everyone. So, pick your game, start practicing, and get ready to experience the excitement of speedrunning firsthand. The community awaits!