The Art of Speedrunning: Mastering Games in Record Time


The Evolution of Speedrunning

Speedrunning has been around for as long as video games have been. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s when speedrunning started to become more popular and organized. With the rise of online forums and video streaming platforms, such as Twitch, speedrunners were able to connect and share their strategies and techniques with each other.

What is Speedrunning?

Speedrunning is the process of completing a video game as quickly as possible. This means that speedrunners will use any means necessary to achieve their goal, including glitches, shortcuts, and exploits. Speedrunners will often spend hours upon hours practicing and perfecting their techniques in order to shave off seconds from their best times.

The Benefits of Speedrunning

Aside from the obvious benefit of being able to complete a game quickly, speedrunning can also improve your overall gaming skills. Speedrunning requires a high level of precision, timing, and quick thinking, which can translate to other areas of gaming. Additionally, speedrunning can be a great way to add more replay value to your favorite games.

Famous Speedruns

Over the years, there have been countless amazing speedruns that have left audiences in awe. Some notable examples include:
  • The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time completed in 16 minutes and 58 seconds by Cosmo Wright
  • Super Mario Bros. completed in four minutes and 55 seconds by Darbian
  • Dark Souls III completed in 44 minutes and 23 seconds by Distortion2
  • TASBot playing Super Mario World blindfolded in 23 minutes and 14 seconds

Getting Started with Speedrunning

If you’re interested in getting started with speedrunning, the best place to start is by visiting online speedrunning communities and forums. You can also watch live speedrunning events, such as Games Done Quick, which feature some of the best speedrunners from around the world.

The Future of Speedrunning

As gaming technology continues to evolve, so too will the art of speedrunning. With new games come new strategies and techniques, and speedrunners will always be at the forefront of exploring what’s possible. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just getting started, there’s always something new to learn and discover in the world of speedrunning.