Speedrunning is when gamers race to finish games as quickly as possible, often by exploiting wild glitches or squeezing every frame of efficiency from each jump—because who wants to fight every boss? Popular categories include Any% (anything goes), 100% (completionists only), or Glitchless if you prefer playing it “by the book.” Beginners pick a game, study top runs (yes, that means pausing YouTube a lot), join forums, and start practicing—finishing fast is just the start. There’s plenty more to discover next.
Speedrunning turns traditional gameplay on its head, challenging players to complete video games as quickly as humanly—or sometimes inhumanly—possible. Instead of savoring every story beat or exploring every nook, speedrunners aim to finish games in record time, often using glitches to shave off precious seconds. It’s a unique blend of competition, technical mastery, and a touch of chaos.
At its core, speedrunning is about completing a game as fast as possible, but the methods are as varied as the games themselves. Some runners stick to “Any%” runs, where anything goes—glitches, skips, and some truly questionable tactics are fine as long as the credits roll. Others choose the “100%” route, collecting every item and checking every box. There’s even “Low%” for those who enjoy finishing games with the bare minimum.
Speedrunning isn’t just about speed—whether you break every rule or collect every item, there’s a category for every kind of challenger.
And if that’s not enough, “Tool-Assisted Speedruns” (TAS) use software to produce theoretically perfect runs, making human reflexes look ancient. For purists, the “Glitchless” category exists—no bug abuse allowed, just raw skill. Certain games are more popular for speedrunning due to their design, making them the focus of thriving communities and intense competition.]
The process isn’t just about fast fingers. Top runners plan their routes meticulously, searching for the quickest path, skipping unnecessary sections (a practice called “sequence breaking”), and executing frame-perfect actions—sometimes requiring timing down to a fraction of a second. It’s a constant race against both the clock and the ever-evolving strategies of the community.
Speaking of community, speedrunning is as much about sharing as it is about competition. Speedrun.com hosts leaderboards, Twitch streams beam live attempts across the world, and forums on Reddit or Discord buzz with new discoveries and debates—some friendly, some less so. Major events like Games Done Quick have turned speedrunning into a fundraising powerhouse, raising millions for charity while keeping viewers glued to the screen.
Want to get started? It’s simple: pick a game, learn the tricks, practice until your thumbs protest, and join the conversation. Who knows—maybe your name will end up on the leaderboard, immortalized for finishing your favorite game in record time… or at least for trying.