Speedrunning isn’t just about playing video games; it’s about pushing the boundaries of gaming skill, exploiting glitches, and mastering every facet of a game to achieve the fastest possible completion time. This unique form of competitive gaming has exploded in popularity, captivating audiences with its blend of technical prowess, strategic planning, and sheer determination. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a curious observer, understanding the world of speedrun challenges can unlock a new level of appreciation for video games and the communities that surround them.
What is Speedrunning?
Speedrunning, at its core, is the practice of completing a video game as quickly as possible. It transcends simply playing a game; it’s about efficiency, optimization, and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. This often involves using glitches, skips, and unconventional strategies to bypass large sections or overcome obstacles. Speedruns are meticulously planned and executed, requiring hours of practice and a dedication that goes beyond casual gameplay.
The Allure of the Run
- Challenge: Speedrunning presents a significant challenge, demanding precision, skill, and knowledge.
- Community: It fosters a strong sense of community among runners who share tips, techniques, and routes.
- Innovation: Runners constantly discover new and innovative ways to break games and improve times.
- Entertainment: Watching a well-executed speedrun can be incredibly entertaining, showcasing impressive feats of skill and ingenuity.
- Personal Growth: Successfully completing a difficult speedrun can be immensely rewarding, providing a sense of accomplishment and pushing personal limits.
Think of the classic game Super Mario Bros. Speedrunners don’t just play through each level; they use precise jumps, pixel-perfect movements, and even warp zones to bypass entire worlds, shaving precious seconds off their time. This dedication to efficiency is what defines the speedrunning experience.
Categories of Speedruns
Not all speedruns are created equal. Different categories allow runners to compete under varying conditions and parameters.
- Any%: Completing the game as fast as possible, regardless of percentage completion. This often involves glitch exploitation and skipping large portions of the game.
- 100%: Completing the game to its fullest extent, collecting all items, completing all quests, and unlocking all achievements. This is a much longer and more challenging category.
- Low%: Completing the game with as little progression as possible, often restricting item usage or abilities.
- Glitchless: Completing the game without using any glitches or exploits, relying solely on the intended game mechanics.
- Category Extensions: Specialized categories with unique rulesets, such as completing a specific level or boss fight as quickly as possible.
For example, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has countless categories, from Any% runs that utilize extensive glitches to 100% runs that require collecting every heart piece and completing every side quest.
The Tools of the Trade
Speedrunning requires more than just skill; it also necessitates the right tools to capture, analyze, and share runs.
Software and Hardware
- Capture Software: Programs like OBS Studio allow runners to record and stream their gameplay.
- Timer Software: Tools like LiveSplit accurately track time and splits, providing real-time feedback.
- Emulators: For older games, emulators allow runners to play on modern computers and often provide features like frame advance and save states.
- Controllers: Many speedrunners prefer using specific controllers known for their precision and responsiveness.
- PC Build: A good PC build is necessary to allow for high settings on modern games for recording purposes
Utilizing Frame Data and Route Planning
- Frame Data: Understanding the timing and properties of character actions on a frame-by-frame basis. This knowledge is crucial for optimizing movements and attacks.
- Route Planning: Meticulously mapping out the optimal path through the game, identifying key locations and shortcuts. Runners often use tools and resources created by the community to plan their routes.
A Dark Souls speedrunner, for instance, might use frame data to understand the exact timing of a dodge roll to avoid damage or to cancel an animation to execute an attack faster.
The Speedrunning Community
The speedrunning community is a vibrant and supportive ecosystem. It’s built on shared passion, collaboration, and a dedication to pushing the boundaries of gaming.
Key Platforms and Events
- Twitch: A popular platform for streaming speedruns and interacting with viewers.
- Speedrun.com: A comprehensive database of speedrun records, rulesets, and resources.
- Games Done Quick (GDQ): A biannual charity speedrunning event that raises millions of dollars for various causes. These events showcase impressive speedruns and feature commentary from runners and experts.
Sharing Knowledge and Resources
- Forums and Discords: Online communities where runners can share tips, strategies, and resources.
- Tutorials and Guides: Speedrunners often create tutorials and guides to help others learn the ropes.
- Collaboration: Runners frequently collaborate to discover new glitches and optimize routes.
The community around Minecraft is a prime example. They have created a wealth of resources, including tutorials, tools, and world seeds, to help aspiring speedrunners improve their times.
Getting Started with Speedrunning
Interested in trying your hand at speedrunning? Here’s how to get started:
Choosing a Game
- Pick a game you enjoy: Speedrunning requires dedication, so choose a game that you genuinely enjoy playing.
- Start with a simpler game: Consider starting with a shorter or less complex game to learn the basics.
- Research existing speedruns: Watch existing speedruns to get an idea of the routes, glitches, and techniques involved.
Practicing and Refining
- Practice consistently: Regular practice is essential for improving your times.
- Record your runs: Analyze your runs to identify areas for improvement.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment: Try different routes and strategies to find what works best for you.
- Use Save States: For older games that use an emulator, save states allow for constant practice on a particular segment of the game.
For example, if you choose to speedrun Portal, you might start by learning the basic portal placement techniques and then gradually incorporate more advanced glitches and skips into your runs.
Advanced Speedrunning Techniques
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can delve into more advanced techniques to further optimize your runs.
Glitch Exploitation
- Understanding glitches: Learning how glitches work and how to trigger them consistently.
- Practicing glitch execution: Mastering the precise timing and inputs required to execute glitches effectively.
- Discovering new glitches: Some speedrunners dedicate their time to finding new and undiscovered glitches.
Advanced Movement Techniques
- Bunny Hopping: Utilizing precise jumps and strafing to maintain momentum and increase movement speed.
- Wall Clipping: Exploiting collision detection to pass through walls or other obstacles.
- Animation Cancelling: Interrupting animations to execute actions faster.
A Metroid speedrunner, for instance, might use a technique called “Shinesparking” to launch themselves across the map at high speed, bypassing entire sections of the game.
Conclusion
Speedrunning is more than just playing video games fast; it’s a testament to human ingenuity, perseverance, and the power of community. Whether you’re aiming to set world records or simply seeking a new challenge, the world of speedrunning offers something for everyone. By understanding the fundamentals, embracing the community, and continuously refining your skills, you can unlock a new level of appreciation for the art of gaming and the endless possibilities it holds. So, pick up your controller, choose your game, and embark on your speedrunning journey today.