In recent years, speedrunning has grown from a niche hobby to a major aspect of gaming culture. It has attracted partakers and audiences worldwide. At its core, it is the art of completing a video game as quickly as possible, often in ways the developers never intended.
Thanks to technological advances, it has evolved into a competitive and collaborative sport. Let’s dive into how speedrunning thrives in the digital era, a time when even your favorite online casino can be accessed in the blink of an eye.
What is Speedrunning?
Speedrunning involves finishing a game, a level, or a specific goal as fast as possible. Participants must use precision and a deep understanding of mechanics to shave seconds (or even milliseconds) off their time records. There are various categories, like:
- Any%: Completing as quickly as possible, using any strategies, including glitches.
- 100%: Finishing up, collecting all items, and completing every side quest.
- Glitchless: Avoiding exploits and glitches to play as intended.
The Tools Behind Modern
The method relies heavily on tools and tech to record, analyze, and improve gameplay. These innovations have helped the community grow and made the hobby more accessible.
Streaming Platforms
Platforms like Twitch and YouTube have played a significant role in its popularity. People stream their attempts live, share strategies, and engage with audiences in real-time. These also make it easy for people to discover such content, turning casual viewers into fans.
Timer Software
Accurate timing is everything in speedrunning, and tools like LiveSplit and WSplit allow users to measure their runs down to the millisecond. These timers can track splits (segments of a run) to help identify where they can improve.
Emulators
Many pros use emulators to play older games so they can try specific sections, rewind mistakes, and analyze their moves frame by frame. While not every leaderboard accepts emulator runs, they remain an essential tool for practicing.
Video Editing and Analysis Tools
Recording and analyzing runs is crucial for improvement. Tools like OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) let them record high-quality videos of their gameplay. Others use programs to study their runs, identify mistakes, and refine their techniques.
The Power of Community
One of the biggest reasons speedrunning thrives is the community. Unlike other competitive activities, speedrunning is surprisingly collaborative. Players often share their strategies, discoveries, and techniques with others. Let’s explore how these communities support the scene.
Forums and Wikis
Online forums like Speedrun.com and Reddit’s r/speedrun are hubs for discussion, tips, and tricks. It’s a great way to exchange knowledge and help others improve their runs. Wikis are dedicated to specific games and provide guides for all skill levels.
Discord Servers
Most games with a speedrunning scene have a dedicated Discord server. These are home to discussions about strategies, troubleshooting, and encouragement. They also help organize events and competitions.
Marathons and Charity Events
Speedrunning marathons, like Games Done Quick (GDQ), have brought it into the mainstream. These events feature incredible runs while raising money for charity. GDQ alone has raised millions of dollars, proving that it can positively impact the world.
World Records: The Ultimate Goal
For many, breaking a world record is the ultimate achievement. Achieving this goal takes dedication, patience, and often, a bit of luck.
The Pursuit of Perfection
World-record achievements need hundreds or even thousands of attempts. Parties practice routes, learn frame-perfect tricks, and push their skills to the limit. Even when a record is broken, the margin is often incredibly slim, sometimes just fractions of a second.
Verification Process
When someone sets a new record, they must submit proof to a leaderboard, usually a video. Moderators review the submission to ensure it follows the rules of the category. This process helps maintain fairness and credibility.
Challenges in the Digital Era
Despite its growth, speedrunning faces challenges, as the reliance on digital tools and online platforms means there’s always a risk of cheating. Some can use these to manipulate their runs, and uncovering such instances takes time and effort from moderators. Yet, most partakers value honesty and work to keep the community fair.
