A speedrun is an attempt to complete a whole video game or a defined portion of it in the shortest possible time. It is recorded as a video or other evidence and often posted online so that the finishing time and any rule compliance can be verified. The term itself is a compound of "speed" and "run" (where "run" means a play-through), and is distinct from built-in competitive modes such as the time trial format sometimes found in racing titles. Races, entertainment, and competition drive most speedrunning activity.

Structure and common categories

Speedruns are organized by categories that define rules and goals. Typical categories include "any%" (finish by any means), "100%" (complete all required objectives), "glitchless" (no exploits allowed), and segmented runs (multiple recorded segments stitched together). Runners choose categories to make comparisons meaningful and to highlight different kinds of skill or knowledge.

  • Timing methods: real-time (wall-clock) versus in-game time, and frame-counting on emulators.
  • Platform distinctions: some runs require original hardware such as consoles, others use emulators or tool-assisted methods.
  • Proof: recorded footage or saved files, often as a digital file, is used to verify and adjudicate records.

Verification and rules

Because small differences in technique or environment can change times, communities maintain rulesets and leaderboards. Proof standards may include full-stream video, unmodified hardware, or specific timing conventions. Verification checks commonly look for consistency with category rules, the absence of prohibited tools, and evidence that the run covers the required objectives. Many communities use dedicated websites and forums to host leaderboards and discuss adjudication.

Techniques and tools

Speedrunning ranges from pure human-play attempts called real-time attacks (RTAs) to tool-assisted speedruns (TAS) created with frame advance and savestates to produce theoretically optimal sequences. Other techniques include routing (planning the fastest path through a game), sequence breaking (using glitches to skip intended progression), and practicing difficult tricks to reduce time. Runners may compare in-game timers with external timers to account for loading pauses or emulator behaviors.

History and community

Speedrunning originated when players began exchanging recorded play-throughs to showcase skill and compare times across communities on the Internet. Over time, hobbyist forums and leaderboard sites emerged, fostering communities around particular titles. Community-organized marathons and charity events have raised the profile of speedrunning by broadcasting high-level runs and commentary to large audiences.

Cultural impact and distinctions

Speedrunning has become both a competitive pursuit and a form of entertainment: records and memorable runs attract viewers, while stratagem discovery advances collective knowledge about games. Notable distinctions include the separation of TAS from RTA records, rules about emulator use, and distinctions between single-segment and segmented runs. The practice also serves preservation and analysis: by exploring precise mechanics, speedrunners often reveal bugs, design limits, and hidden systems that would otherwise be overlooked.

For newcomers, watching example runs and reading a game's community rules are the best ways to learn standards for a chosen category and platform. Communities remain active, collaborative, and self-regulating, continually refining timing methods and record verification as technology and games evolve.

Terminology • Competitive modes • Platform rules • Proof formats • Recorded runs • Play-through examples • Game-specific communities • Community hubs