The Drive Behind Speedrunning: Chasing Perfection, Time, and the Thrill of the Challenge
There's a unique subculture in the world of video games that thrives on precision, mastery, and a fierce desire to outsmart the game itself. It's called speedrunning, and it's where players try to complete a game as fast as possible, often with the help of highly specialized techniques, optimized paths, and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics. To the uninitiated, it might seem like a strange hobby. But to the speedrunning community, it's about so much more than simply finishing a game quickly.
Speedrunning is not a one-size-fits-all activity. There are various types of speedruns, from "any%" runs, where players finish a game as fast as possible using any available method (including bugs and tricks), to "100%" runs, which require players to complete all a game's objectives before passing the finish line. The methods runners use range from glitchless, where players complete a game without any technical exploits or cheats, to those that actively use glitches to bypass certain game areas and accelerate progress.
But beyond the technical aspects, the motivation behind speedrunning is deeply personal. The reasons why people speedrun vary, but common threads emerge when you ask players about their passion for the craft.
For many speedrunners, the journey starts with the simple love of a game. Someone may begin by casually playing a favorite childhood title, only to discover a fascination with the idea of completing it faster and faster. Once the seed is planted, they dive deeper, learning every nuance of the game: how to execute difficult moves, exploit weaknesses in the game's design, and figure out the most efficient paths.
This drive for mastery is common across the speedrunning community. For many players, it becomes an ongoing challenge to improve, even by fractions of a second. It's a feeling that can be addictive, watching the final time get lower as you perfect each jump, each dash, each pixel-perfect maneuver.
While speedrunning may begin as a personal challenge, it can quickly become a competition. Speedrunners aren't just racing against the clock, they're also racing against each other. For most games, there are global leaderboards, hosted on sites like speedrun.com, where players can compare times and compete for world records. The competition isn't always about breaking records though. Often, it's about pushing personal bests and seeing how far one can go.
This sense of competition can also serve as a source of validation. In a space where achievements are often defined by things like in-game trophies, speedrunning provides an immediate way to measure skill. The timing of a game's completion, broken down to seconds or milliseconds, offers a concrete and undeniable metric of progress. For some, this objective measure of success can feel more fulfilling than simply playing through a game, where the end might be vague or subjective.
One of the most surprising aspects of speedrunning is the sense of community that surrounds it. Though the activity is rooted in individual achievement, speedrunners usually find themselves participating in a larger network of like-minded people. Communities form around specific games or categories, where players share techniques, strategies, and tips. They come together to celebrate milestones, whether it's a race against friends, or an event like Games Done Quick, where the entire speedrunning community collectively raise money for charity while pushing the boundaries of their respective games.
The collaborative aspect of speedrunning extends beyond tips and tricks. With the rise of platforms like Twitch and YouTube, speedrunning has become something of a spectator sport. Runners can showcase their talents to an audience, creating an electrifying atmosphere around their attempts to improve. The live interactions, whether they're from a cheering chat room, crowd, or a group of close friends, add a layer of excitement and accountability that makes each run feel even more significant.
There's a hidden truth within speedrunning; players often grow to understand the games they love on a deeper level than most casual players ever will. It's no longer just about completing a game quickly, it's about dissecting it, exploring its boundaries, and mastering every aspect of it. Speedrunners aren't just playing games, they're rewriting the rules of the game itself.
It’s the ultimate puzzle, and speedrunners are determined to solve it, one frame at a time.
If you're at all interested in speedrunning, whether it's playing or watching, here are a couple of my favorite recent runs to help get you started:
Super Metroid Map Randomizer Race by Andy, Oatsngoats, imyt, and Eddie in 1:19:50
Kaizo Mario World 3 by lungfish3000 in 1:08:40
Super Mario 64 Randomizer Blindfolded by Bubzia in 43:39