Speedrunning: More Than Just Going Fast

When most people hear the word “speedrunning” they assume it’s all about finishing a game as quickly as possible. While that’s technically true, speedrunning is so much more than just rushing to the credits. Speedrunning is an intricate practice that combines strategy, skill, and even a little art.

Mastery Through Optimization

Speedrunning is all about playing efficiently. Runners spend countless hours learning game mechanics, experimenting with movements, and finding the perfect route. Runners implement techniques like frame-perfect inputs, which are inputs with precise button presses executed within a single frame of a game. Frame perfect inputs allow for advanced techniques, glitches, or optimally timed actions that wouldn’t normally be possible with regular inputs.

Glitches and Exploits

While most players may be frustrated to encounter a glitch that might break their game, speedrunners actively seek them out. Utilizing glitches and exploits are essential for any speedrunner if they hope to achieve a competitive time. Speedrunners analyze a game’s code, test collision mechanics, and exploit unintended behaviors to skip sections or even move through walls.

The Art of Execution

Even if you know the right way to go and the right inputs to press, speedrunning is much harder than you might think. Speedrunning requires precise accuracy, patience, and dedication to complete a run in a competitive time. Utilizing muscle memory is key to achieving complex inputs that may be essential for a run. Watching a perfect run is like watching a well rehearsed dance, an act of precision and skill that makes speedrunning more than just playing for fun.

Community

Speedrunning isn’t a solo activity, it thrives on community. With online game forums like Speedrun.com to events like Games Done Quick, speedrunning brings people together to achieve a common goal. Runners will share strategies, push others to improve, and find new paths together to ultimately make their run faster. This community of support is what keeps speedrunning alive.

So next time you see someone speedrunning Super Mario 64 or Dark Souls, remember—it’s not just about going fast. It’s about mastering the game in ways most people never imagined.