Speedrunning

Overview

Speedrunning asks: how fast can this game be completed? What began with Doom recordings evolved into a global community with standardised rules, live events, and charitable marathons. Players discover glitches, optimise routes, and compete for world records measured in frames.

Fast facts

Origins: Doom demos (1993).
Major site: Speedrun.com.
Events: AGDQ, SGDQ.
Community: Global, collaborative.

Category	Rules
Any%	Complete game by any means
100%	Full completion
Glitchless	No exploits
Low%	Minimum items/upgrades

Techniques

Technique	Description
Sequence breaking	Access areas early
Clipping	Pass through walls
Damage boosting	Use knockback for speed
Frame-perfect tricks	Single-frame inputs

Community structure

Element	Function
Leaderboards	Track records
Tutorials	Share knowledge
Verification	Confirm legitimacy
Moderation	Enforce rules

Games Done Quick

Charity speedrun marathons:

AGDQ (January)
SGDQ (Summer)
Millions raised
Week-long events

Popular speedgames

Game	Appeal
Super Mario Bros.	Accessible, competitive
Ocarina of Time	Deep glitch potential
Super Metroid	Sequence breaking
Dark Souls	Skill demonstration
Celeste	Precision platforming

Tool-Assisted Speedruns (TAS)

Feature	Purpose
Frame-by-frame input	Perfect execution
Save states	Optimise segments
Theoretical limit	Show what’s possible
Entertainment	Showcase exploits

TAS separate from real-time runs.

Retro game speedrunning

Classic games remain popular:

Well-understood mechanics
Nostalgia factor
Accessible to attempt
Deep optimisation possible

Record progression

Phase	Activity
Discovery	Find new techniques
Optimisation	Refine execution
Plateaus	Records stabilise
Breakthroughs	New skips found

Community values

Value	Expression
Knowledge sharing	Open strategy discussion
Verification	Honesty requirements
Celebration	Community achievement
Accessibility	Welcome newcomers

Racing against time