Mastering the Art of Speedrunning: Tips and Tricks to Dash Through Games

3 minutes Games24 Team

If you've ever watched a speedrunner gracefully soar through levels that once took you hours, you know the allure of speedrunning. It's an exhilarating practice that turns gaming into an art form, combining precision, skill, and a dash of bravado. Whether you're looking to beat your personal best or take down a world record, speedrunning transforms familiar games into new challenges begging to be conquered.

What is Speedrunning?

Speedrunning is the act of completing a video game or a specific part of a game as quickly as possible. It's a popular niche within the gaming community, often involving meticulous planning, intimate knowledge of game mechanics, and quick reflexes. Speedrunners utilize glitches, optimized paths, and strategies to shave seconds, if not minutes, off their completion times. Games like "Super Mario 64," "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time," and "Celeste" have large speedrunning communities dedicated to exploring every possible shortcut.

Getting Started with Speedrunning

  1. Choose Your Game: Start with a game you are passionate about. Familiarity with the game’s mechanics, levels, and quirks will provide a solid foundation for your speedrunning journey.

  2. Research and Study: Watch other speedrunners in action. Websites like Speedrun.com are gold mines of information, hosting leaderboards, guides, and video runs. Observing how top players approach the game will help you learn advanced techniques and common strategies.

  3. Community and Networking: Join the speedrunning community. Whether on Discord, Reddit, or specialized forums, engaging with other speedrunners can provide support, camaraderie, and valuable insights into new strategies.

Tips and Techniques for Speedrunning Success

  • Practice, Practice, Practice: Mastering a game's intricate details requires time and dedication. Set aside regular practice sessions focusing on difficult sections and new techniques.

  • Learn to Use Glitches: Many world-record speedruns rely on carefully executed glitches. Learn these through tutorials and practice them until they become a reliable part of your run.

  • Optimize Movement: Every step, jump, or dash counts in a speedrun. Understanding movement mechanics deeply and employing strategies like bunny hopping or precise cornering can save crucial seconds.

  • Time Management: Breaking down your speedrun into individual segments can help manage time and improve efficiency. Use timers to track progress and identify areas needing improvement.

  • Stay Positive and Patient: Not every run will be perfect. Mistakes are part of the learning process in speedrunning. Stay encouraged and remember that each attempt brings you closer to your goal.

Experiencing the Thrill

Participating in speedrunning events such as Games Done Quick not only offers a platform to showcase your skills but also contributes to charitable causes. The creativity and competitiveness in these events highlight speedrunning as a vibrant and integral part of gaming culture.

Speedrunning is more than just about the quickest path from start to finish; it's about the journey, the thrill of discovery, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in a game. So grab your controller, sharpen your skills, and dash into the adrenaline-pumping world of speedrunning! Whether smashing through enemies or leaping across platforms, your next personal best is just around the corner.