Speedrunning, the art of completing a video game in the shortest time possible, has become one of the most exciting and competitive subcultures in the gaming world. It combines deep game knowledge, flawless execution, and innovative strategies to achieve incredible feats of gaming. Whether you’re aiming to set a personal best or compete in global leaderboards, mastering the skill of speedrunning requires dedication, practice, and a strategic approach. In this guide, we’ll explore essential tips and tricks from experienced speedrunners that can help you improve your time and perhaps even break records.
Speedrunning isn’t limited to just mainstream titles either. It has extended to a wide variety of genres, from platformers and first-person shooters to RPGs. Even in the realm of online gaming, platforms like Goldbet888 offer singapore online slot games, where players can employ their knowledge and quick reflexes to improve their chances of winning, albeit in a different context.
Understanding Speedrunning Categories
Before diving into tips and tricks, it’s important to understand that speedrunning comes in different categories. These categories are defined by specific rules and limitations, which dictate how a speedrun is approached:
- Any%: This is the most common category, where the goal is to complete the game as quickly as possible, regardless of how many in-game objectives or side quests are skipped. The strategy often involves exploiting glitches or shortcuts to bypass large portions of the game.
- 100%: In this category, players must complete all main objectives and side quests in the game. It’s a more comprehensive speedrun that focuses on completing everything the game has to offer while still optimizing the time.
- Glitchless: As the name suggests, this category requires completing the game without utilizing glitches, which can sometimes make it more challenging since the game’s natural flow must be followed.
- Any% No Major Glitches (NMG): This category allows some minor glitches but disallows the use of any major ones that would drastically change the gameplay.
Understanding these categories and which one you want to focus on will help shape your approach to the game. Each category has its own nuances, and depending on your goals, you may need to develop specific strategies for each.
Master the Game: Know It Inside and Out
To excel at speedrunning, you need to know the game intimately. This doesn’t mean just playing it through once or twice. To become a successful speedrunner, you must understand every detail of the game. This includes the layout of the levels, mechanics, item placements, enemy behaviors, and even the smallest tricks and glitches that can save seconds.
Start by playing through the game several times. After that, focus on areas where you struggle and learn how to optimize them. Watch speedruns from professionals to see how they handle difficult sections. Platforms like YouTube and Twitch are treasure troves of speedrunning content, where you can learn techniques and strategies that are used by the best. You can also refer to forums like Speedrun.com, where you’ll find tutorials, guides, and discussion threads dedicated to helping players improve.
Timing and Precision Matter
Speedrunning is all about precision. Every second counts, and mistakes can be costly. To develop this precision, you need to focus on execution and practice your movement. For example, many speedrunners practice specific segments repeatedly to ensure they are performing them as efficiently as possible. Whether it’s jumping over obstacles in a platformer or optimizing your path through a first-person shooter, consistency and accuracy are key.
Tools such as Split Timers or LiveSplit allow speedrunners to track their progress in real time. These timers let you compare your current performance to previous attempts, helping you identify where you can improve. By tracking every part of your run, you can refine your technique and push yourself toward faster completion times.
Mastering Glitches and Exploits
For many games, mastering glitches is a crucial part of speedrunning. These glitches allow players to skip large sections of the game, effectively saving a lot of time. While mastering glitches can be incredibly rewarding, it’s also a delicate process. Glitches often require perfect timing, and even the slightest misstep can result in failure.
Take time to learn the common glitches associated with your game. Watch other speedrunners perform them and practice them until you can execute them reliably. For example, in games like Super Mario 64, glitches like the “BLJ” (Backward Long Jump) are essential for breaking the game’s boundaries and bypassing certain obstacles. In games with more complex mechanics, like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, glitches such as item duplication or the “Wrong Warp” are essential for drastically reducing playtime.
However, in categories like “Glitchless,” mastering alternative techniques is key. In this case, you must learn optimal strategies to save time without relying on exploits.
Watch the Experts and Learn from Them
Watching professional speedrunners is one of the best ways to learn. Top speedrunners often share their knowledge through live streams, tutorials, and even commentary on their runs. They break down the strategies they use, discuss their thought process, and give tips on how to improve. For example, watching a speedrun of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on a site like Twitch, you can pick up tricks for managing resources and completing objectives in the most time-efficient manner.
Professional speedrunners often have a deep understanding of the game, and by watching their techniques, you can learn how to execute similar strategies in your own runs. In addition to watching others, you should also participate in speedrunning communities where you can ask for advice, share your own strategies, and collaborate with fellow runners to improve.
Stay Calm Under Pressure
Speedrunning can be an intense experience, especially when you are going for a world record. Staying calm is essential to maintaining focus and ensuring that you don’t make mistakes. The best speedrunners learn to control their nerves and manage the pressure, even in high-stakes runs.
A great way to practice remaining calm is to set up practice sessions where you focus on perfecting certain segments of the game. Play as if you’re on the final stretch of a world record attempt, and focus on executing each move with precision. Over time, this will build your confidence, and you’ll learn how to handle stressful situations.
Conclusion
Mastering speedrunning takes time, effort, and a dedication to improving your skills. By knowing your game inside and out, practicing regularly, and watching the pros, you can become a formidable speedrunner. Whether you’re breaking personal records or aiming for top spots on global leaderboards, the world of speedrunning offers a thrilling challenge for all types of gamers. Even outside of traditional video games, platforms like Goldbet888, offering Singapore Online Slot Games, have their own unique time-based challenges where players can enhance their reflexes and gameplay strategy. With the right mindset and tools, anyone can take their speedrunning abilities to the next level.
