Speedrunning

Speedrunning: The Art of Racing Through Video Games

Imagine you’re playing a video game, but instead of just enjoying it, your goal is to complete it as quickly as possible. That’s what speedrunning is all about! It’s like running a marathon, but in the virtual world of gaming.

The Origins and Evolution

When did speedrunning begin? The roots of speedrunning can be traced back to the early days of video games. However, it wasn’t until 1993 that speedrunning gained widespread attention with the release of Doom. This game introduced a ‘par time’ mechanic and demo-recording features, which allowed players to share their gameplay using files called demos. These demos sparked online communities around speedrunning.

The Rise of Video Sharing Platforms

How did video sharing platforms change the landscape? In 2003, Speed Demos Archive (SDA) began accepting runs from all games and displaying only the fastest speedrun of each game. This shift marked a turning point for speedrunning, making it easier to share and verify records. Video-sharing websites like YouTube and Twitch further democratized access, allowing anyone with an internet connection to watch and participate in speedruns.

The Techniques Behind Speedrunning

What makes a great speedrun? Speedrunning involves a variety of techniques, including routing, sequence breaking, and using video game glitches. Routing is about developing the optimal sequence of actions and stages in a game. Sequence breaking skips required parts of a game to save time. Glitches can be used for various purposes, such as skipping cutscenes or increasing player speed.

Tool-Assisted Speedruns (TAS)

What is a tool-assisted speedrun? Tool-assisted speedruns (TAS) use emulation software and tools to create ‘theoretically perfect’ playthroughs. These runs are recorded as a series of controller inputs intended to be fed back to the game in sequence. TASes can even be played back on original console hardware by sending inputs into the console’s controller ports.

The Categories and Communities

How do speedrunners categorize their runs? Speedruns are divided into various categories, including Any%, 100%, Low%, Glitchless, and No Major Glitches. Runners compete in these categories by ranking times on online leaderboards like Speedrun.com, which hosts leaderboards for over 20,000 video games.

The Role of Communities

How do communities support speedrunning? The community plays a crucial role in speedrunning. Runners value the cooperation and camaraderie that develops within it. They use media-sharing sites like YouTube and Twitch to share videos and livestreams, and sub-communities form around specific games using independent leaderboards and communication tools like Discord.

Major Events and Marathons

What are speedrunning marathons? Speedruns are often featured in gaming conventions known as marathons. The largest event is Games Done Quick, held semiannually in the United States since 2010, raising over $37 million for charity. Other notable events include the European Speedrunner Assembly in Sweden.

Cheat Detection and Integrity

How do speedrunners ensure integrity? Cheat detection is a critical aspect of maintaining the integrity of speedrunning. Common cheating methods include splicing, TASbotting, modifying game timers or playback speed, and speeding up cutscenes or compressing transitional black space. Cheat detection often requires handcam footage to verify inputs and detect deception.

Speedrunning is not just about breaking records; it’s a community-driven effort that brings together gamers from all over the world. Whether you’re watching or participating, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant subculture of gaming excellence.