Introduction to Speedrunning Communities
Speedrunning has become one of the most exciting and engaging aspects of modern gaming culture. Players, known as speedrunners, dedicate themselves to completing video games as quickly as possible, often employing ingenious strategies, glitches, and perfect precision to shave seconds or minutes off their playthroughs. While many games have been speedrun at some point, certain titles have developed thriving communities that continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. Below are some of the most popular games with active speedrunning communities today.
1. Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 is arguably one of the most iconic games in the speedrunning world. Released in 1996 for the Nintendo 64, it has remained a favorite among speedrunners for decades. The game’s relatively open design allows players to take various paths to reach the end, leading to a wealth of creative strategies and categories.
The most popular categories in Super Mario 64 Cwin speedrunning are the “Any%” (where players aim to finish the game as fast as possible, usually using glitches) and “120 Stars” (where runners collect all stars in the game). The community for this game is highly competitive, with runners constantly discovering new techniques and improvements. The variety of movement options, including Mario’s iconic long jumps and backward long jumps, adds an extra layer of complexity to runs, making it a favorite for both casual and experienced speedrunners.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Another Nintendo classic, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, is often hailed as one of the greatest video games of all time and boasts an equally impressive speedrunning community. Released in 1998, Ocarina of Time has an array of categories that attract runners of all skill levels, from beginner-friendly runs to highly technical ones that require deep knowledge of the game’s glitches.
One of the most popular categories is the “Any%” run, where players use a series of glitches, including the famous “Wrong Warp” glitch, to bypass large portions of the game and defeat the final boss in under 10 minutes. This game’s speedrunning scene is particularly known for its creativity and the ongoing discovery of new glitches and techniques, keeping the community dynamic and ever-evolving.
3. Minecraft
Minecraft, the sandbox survival game developed by Mojang, has developed an active speedrunning community in recent years. While it may not seem like an obvious choice for speedrunning, players have found ways to complete the game’s “Ender Dragon” challenge in astonishingly short times.
The goal of Minecraft speedrunning is typically to defeat the Ender Dragon, and there are a few different categories, including “Random Seed” and “Set Seed.” In “Random Seed” runs, players start on a randomly generated world, which adds an element of unpredictability, while “Set Seed” runs allow players to practice and perfect runs on a known map. The community has grown rapidly, in part due to streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube, which have made these runs exciting to watch and follow.
4. Celeste
Celeste is a challenging platformer known for its tight controls and high level of difficulty, making it a perfect fit for speedrunning. Released in 2018, the game’s simple but precise mechanics allow speedrunners to showcase incredible skill and dexterity.
The most popular category is the “Any%” run, where players focus on finishing the game as quickly as possible, often using advanced movement techniques such as wavedashing and hyper-dashing. The game also offers various difficulty levels and collectible items, giving runners the option to pursue more challenging runs like the “100%” category, where they collect every item. The speedrunning community for Celeste is particularly inclusive and supportive, with runners frequently sharing tips and strategies to help each other improve.
5. Dark Souls
Dark Souls, known for its punishing difficulty and intricate world design, has fostered a dedicated speedrunning community. The challenge of defeating tough bosses and navigating through a hostile environment has made Dark Souls a favorite among speedrunners who relish difficult games.
Popular categories include “Any%” and “All Bosses,” where players aim to defeat all the game’s major bosses in the fastest time possible. The game’s community has developed several creative techniques, such as “quit outs” to reset enemy positions and “wrong warps” to skip areas. The Dark Souls speedrunning scene thrives on the skill required to balance fast movement with the strategic combat that the game is known for.
Conclusion
These games represent just a small portion of the speedrunning community, which continues to grow and diversify. Whether it’s an open-world game like Minecraft or a precise platformer like Celeste, speedrunning offers a unique challenge and a sense of accomplishment that keeps players coming back. The thriving communities around these games are constantly evolving, discovering new techniques, and pushing the limits of what can be achieved.