Video game speed runs are captivating and exhilarating to watch. Speed running is completing a video game in the shortest amount of time. Gamers from all around the world choose to speed run and dedicate themselves to quickness that is required to make it on the rankings. They are pushing the limits of their own human skills of hand eye coordination.
Speed running games are any games that can be completed from start to finish is a very short time span. From the blazing-fast completion of games like "Super Mario 64" to the mind blowing precision runs of a more complex RPG game like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Speed running is also defined by controller that is being used to play the game. Gamers use their thumbs for traditional controller game play on console gaming. For PC gamers the keyboard and mouse are essential. Strong hand-eye coordination to execute precise movements, takes a lot of focus and mental strength. Mitch Fowler is one gamer who mastered the techniques of doing a speed runs to achieve top rankings on the world record scoreboard. Learning optimized routs and understanding where the glitches are at in the game are essential to top level gamers. In-depth knowledge over time can push an average player into a professional speed runner.
Tool-assisted speed runs are speed runs that involved additional software and emulators to create a close to perfect run. TAS runners focus on frame by frame actions using a PC to achieve results that would be impossible to do with traditional controllers. A good example of a tool assisted speed run would be from Mega Man 2. Even though these kinds of speed runs are impressive they are not the same as the traditional controller technique. The gameplay effort from traditional controller and game system of speed-running is still considered the truest form of speed running excellence.
Any video game can be played for a speed run but here is a list of some of the most impressive speed running video games.
Pixel glitches can be a double-edged pixel. On one hand, they enable shortcuts that substantially reduce time. On the other hand, they also introduce unpredictable moments that are sometimes very difficult to repeat.
Classic examples of pixel glitches include "wall clipping," which allows players to pass through solid walls. An example of this would be from Mario64. “Sequence breaks," is also something that would be noticeable. However, pixel glitches can also lead to “soft locks” and crashes which causes the game to end unexpectedly.
One example of a soft lock is from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.“ As you climb the stairs in the next room, and proceed to the room to the left at the top of the stairs, it is vital that you jump over the gap in that room and do not fall back down into the room where you would have encountered Death. Doing so will cause the game to go into a glitched state and will soft-lock you, ending the run.” Check out Turbodog702 Tutorials for more of an in depth look at the strategy to find these glitches.
The communities for video game speed running are mostly found online. Many of the speed runners are on Twitch, YouTube and Discord. Being able to connect with others in a group help the speed runners learn from each other the ways of quickness and speed. One of the largest communities for speed running to meet up in person is at Games Done Quick. This event has a solid selection of games. Everything from retro games to modern video games. These events also raise money to charity organizations.
