Author: johlits

The speedrunning community has had an eventful week, filled with new records, impressive challenges, and major events. Let’s dive into some of the most exciting moments and announcements making waves.

The History of The Simpsons Hit & Run World Records

Renowned video game historian SummoningSalt released a new video on the evolution of world records for The Simpsons Hit & Run, a cult-classic game known for its unique open-world gameplay inspired by Grand Theft Auto. The video explores the journey of players pushing the game’s boundaries, showing how speedrunners used inventive glitches and route optimizations to continuously lower times over the years. SummoningSalt’s in-depth storytelling style keeps fans captivated, taking them through the intricate history of the game’s records, with incredible insights into the dedication and skill required to set these records.

Karl Jobst Challenges Pro Gamers to Spot a Fake Speedrun

Karl Jobst, another staple in the speedrunning content community, teamed up with notable speedrunners like Wirtual, SummoningSalt, and EazySpeezy to test if pro gamers could detect a fake speedrun. The video puts these speedrunning pros to the test with edited runs and clever tricks designed to deceive even the most experienced eyes. The unique format is both entertaining and educational, giving viewers a deeper look into what makes a legitimate speedrun while highlighting the observational skills required to discern authenticity in the community.

AGDQ 2025 Schedule Goes Live

Games Done Quick (GDQ) announced its draft schedule for Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) 2025, exciting fans with a preview of speedrunning showcases from multiple classic and modern games. GDQ events have become a staple in the speedrunning calendar, raising millions for charity while celebrating the community’s incredible talents. This year’s lineup promises to bring new games and unforgettable moments, as top speedrunners prepare to display their skills to a global audience.

Record-Breaking Runs Across Genres

This week saw a surge of incredible world records:

• Werster’s 16:16:17 Full Game Speedrun in Pokémon Stadium 2 (Switch): Known for his expertise in Pokémon speedrunning, Werster completed this endurance run that required precision, planning, and in-depth knowledge of the game’s mechanics.
• FF7 Any% World Record by Zheal in 5:39:17: Zheal’s run on the PSX version of Final Fantasy VII continues the tradition of pushing the beloved RPG to its limits. His record-breaking time showcases the strategic use of glitches and optimizations unique to the PSX platform.
• Super Smash Bros. Melee – Captain Falcon Break the Targets: With a time of 7.25 seconds, Super Smash Bros. Melee speedrunner cryptanalyst_ achieved an impressive world record for Captain Falcon’s Break the Targets stage, highlighting both the dedication and technical prowess required for Melee’s intense micro-optimizations.
• Blindfolded Super Mario 64 16-Star Run: Bubzia, a prominent blindfolded speedrunner, added to his achievements with a 20:54 time in the 16-Star No LBLJ category of Super Mario 64, showcasing his incredible skill in playing games without sight.

The Streamer Awards: Speedrunners in the Spotlight

Squeex, LilAggy, Wirtual, Greensuigi, and Parkenharbor are among the speedrunners nominated for this year’s Streamer Awards. The nominations underscore the growing visibility of speedrunning on mainstream streaming platforms and the unique appeal of speedrunning content, from thrilling record attempts to intricate glitch explanations.

Community Events: SourceRuns Marathon and Beyond

The SourceRuns Marathon 2024 also went live, drawing attention to speedruns of games powered by the Source engine, such as Half-Life and Portal. Fans of Source engine games gathered to watch expert runners showcase beloved titles, emphasizing the niche communities that form around specific engines and game genres within the speedrunning world.

Notable Personal Bests and Strategies

Several speedrunners shared personal bests and unique approaches, including a Pseudoregalia Any% run completed in 17:17 and creative strategies for the notoriously challenging bomb shrine clip in Breath of the Wild. Community discussions and shared tips highlight the collaborative spirit of speedrunning, where runners frequently share techniques to help each other improve.

As the speedrunning world grows, we continue to witness impressive feats, innovative content, and a community-driven culture that celebrates both skill and creativity. Whether it’s setting new world records, discussing strategies, or participating in community events, speedrunning fans have a lot to look forward to.

Source: reddit.com

The speedrunning community is abuzz this week with exciting achievements, records, and upcoming events! Here’s a look at some of the top moments making waves on Reddit.

1. Super Mario 64 (SM64) 120 Star World Record

• GreenSuigi set a new 120 Star World Record in Super Mario 64 with a time of 1:35:27, surpassing his previous record by six seconds. The run showcases GreenSuigi’s mastery of SM64’s intricate mechanics and is a thrilling watch for fans of this classic game. View on Twitch.

2. Games Done Quick 2025 Lineup Announced

• The Games Done Quick (GDQ) 2025 game list is live! This marathon event gathers top speedrunners to raise funds for charity while performing live speedruns of popular and challenging games. The list has fans hyped for which runs will make it to this year’s show. Check out the list on the GDQ website.

3. Ocarina of Time (OoT) Low% All Dungeons World Record

• Zfg1 broke the Low% All Dungeons World Record in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time with a time of 2:18:24. Zfg1 is a long-time player in the Zelda community, and this accomplishment adds another milestone to their impressive speedrunning portfolio.

4. Mario Kart Wii – History-Making Outside Drift Bike Record

• For the first time ever, an outside drift bike now holds a 3-lap World Record in Mario Kart Wii. This record-breaking run has stirred excitement as it defies the longstanding dominance of inside drift bikes, adding a new layer of competition and strategy to Mario Kart speedrunning.

5. Blindfolded Super Mario 64 – 31 Star Run

• Known for his unique approach to speedrunning, Bubzia achieved a 31 Star run in Super Mario 64 blindfolded, clocking in at 39:02. Bubzia’s focus and precision in a run where he cannot see the game at all is a testament to the incredible skill and memorization that blindfolded speedruns demand. View on YouTube.

6. Dark Souls Speedrunning Personal Bests

• A surge of activity in the Dark Souls speedrunning community saw Crawdadio breaking into the top 100 with a personal best and several newcomers celebrating their first runs. Dark Souls’ high difficulty makes these speedruns particularly rewarding, and players are constantly finding ways to optimize their strategies and improve times.

7. Ben 10: Vilgax Attacks – Legendary Glitch Solved

• A long-standing mystery in Ben 10: Vilgax Attacks has finally been cracked by Malaysian speedrunner GhostHNW. The discovery of this glitch opens new potential strategies, adding fresh excitement to an often-overlooked game.

8. GSA’s Fall PACE Event Live Through November 9

• The Global Speedrun Association (GSA) is hosting its Fall PACE event, where top speedrunners compete live across a variety of games. The event offers fans a chance to see intense races and high-skill runs in real time.

9. Final Fantasy VII (FF7) PC Any% New Route

• Zheal broke the any% World Record in Final Fantasy VII (PC) with a time of 5:48:16, thanks to a new route featuring the “Rebirth Skip.” This update marks a major development in FF7 speedrunning strategies and reflects Zheal’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of this iconic game.

10. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door – New Switch Any% WR

• Speedrunner こっぺ (koppe) set a new any% World Record in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Switch) with a time of 7:42:43. Fans are thrilled to see optimized routes and techniques for this recent Switch release as it gains traction in the speedrunning scene.

These highlights showcase the innovation and skill in speedrunning, with players constantly finding new ways to break barriers and set records. From world records and groundbreaking glitches to event announcements, it’s an exciting time to follow this passionate community!