Is Speedrunning An Esport?

Speedrunning has seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years. But is it an esport? We take a look at the evidence.

Introduction

With the recent boom in popularity of speedrunning, the question on whether or not it could be considered a legitimate sport has come up more and more. While there is no hard and fast answer, there are a few things to consider that could help make a case for speedrunning as an esport.

One of the key elements of any sport is competition. This can take many different forms, but at its core, there needs to be some sort of competition in order for it to be considered a sport. Speedrunning certainly has this aspect covered. There are numerous speedrunning competitions held all over the world, with runners from all skill levels taking part.

Another important element of any sport is skill. This is where things start to get a bit more subjective. Skill can be difficult to define, but in general, it refers to the ability to perform well in a given activity. This can be physical skill, mental skill, or both. When it comes to speedrunning, there is no doubt that it takes a great deal of skill to run a game quickly and efficiently. speedrunners need to have intimate knowledge of the games they are playing, as well as the ability to make split-second decisions and execute complex movements flawlessly.

The last element we will consider is audience engagement. This is perhaps the most important factor in determining whether or not something can be considered a sport. If there is no one watching or cheering on the competitors, then it’s unlikely that it will be considered a sport. Fortunately, speedrunning has this aspect covered as well. There are multiple speedrunning communities with tens of thousands of members, and major speedrunning events are regularly streamed online to thousands of viewers worldwide.

When all these factors are considered together, it’s clear that speedrunning has what it takes to be considered a legitimate sport. While there is no definitive answer on whether or not speedrunning is an esport, there is certainly a strong case to be made for it.

What is Speedrunning?

Speedrunning is the act of completing a video game as fast as possible. It can be done with any video game, but generally speedrunners choose games that they are very familiar with and have played extensively. Speedrunning is a relatively new phenomenon, but it has been growing in popularity in recent years.

The Games

There are a few very popular games that speedrunners focus on. The games change from time to time as new ones are released, but the most popular ones tend to be ones that have been around for awhile and have a large fan following. A few of the most popular games right now are Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Sonic Mania.

The Players

There are two basic types of speedrunners: soloists and relay runners. As the name suggests, soloists run the game by themselves, while relay runners hand off the game to one another in a team. There are also categories for blind and visually impaired runners, as well as for runners who use assistive devices.

The most popular speedrunning games are “Super Mario Bros.” (1985), “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” (1998), “Pokémon Red and Blue” (1996) and “Super Metroid” (1994). But there are also speedrunners who play more obscure games, like “Dr. Weird’s Bubble Bathhouse Race 2000” (2003) or “Yakuza 0” (2016).

In a typical speedrun, the goal is to complete the game as quickly as possible. But there are also challenge runs, in which the goal is to complete the game under specific conditions, like using only one life or never leveling up. There are also any% runs, in which the goal is to get to the end of the game no matter what — even if that means taking shortcuts or exploiting glitches.

The Community

If you’re not familiar with speedrunning, it’s the act of completing a video game as fast as possible. Any% means completing the game from start to finish without any additional conditions, while 100% means completing the game with all of its content unlocked. There are also glitchless and any% glitched categories, which respectively forbid and allow the use of in-game exploits that can save time.

Most speedruns are done solo, but there are also relay races (in which multiple runners play different parts of the game in succession), co-op speedruns (in which two or more players play the game together) and TASes (tool-assisted speedruns, in which a player uses emulator tools to eliminate split-second mistakes).

The speedrunning community is very supportive and welcoming, and it’s easy to find people to chat with about games, strategies and other topics. There are also many active forums and subreddits where runners can discuss new discoveries, ask for help or simply share their passion for speedrunning.

What Makes Speedrunning An Esport?

Speedrunning is a relatively new phenomenon in the world of esports. For those who are unfamiliar, speedrunning is the act of playing a video game as fast as possible. The speedrun community has grown exponentially in recent years, with new competitions and tournaments popping up all over the world. But what makes speedrunning an esport? Let’s take a look.

The Games

The games that are most commonly seen in speedrunning competitions are ones that have a relatively simple premise that can be completed in a short amount of time. For example, “Super Mario Bros.” can be beaten in under five minutes, and “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” can be beaten in under an hour. There are also certain types of games that lend themselves well to speedrunning, such as platformers and Metroidvanias.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, “Final Fantasy VII” is a much longer game, but it has been featured in several speedrunning competitions due to its popularity.

The Players

There are a few things that make speedrunning an esports: the players, the games, and the competition.

The players are some of the most dedicated athletes in any sport. They put in hours of practice to shave even fractions of a second off their times. They have to be able to react quickly and think on their feet. They also have to be able to maintain focus for long periods of time.

The games they play are some of the most demanding and challenging games out there. They require split-second timing and decisions, as well as a lot of strategic planning. The best speedrunners are able to find shortcuts and exploits that even the developers didn’t know existed.

The competition is intense. There are always people trying to beat each other’s times and records. The top speedrunners in the world are constantly pushing themselves to go faster and faster. There is a lot of respect between competitors, but also a lot of friendly trash-talking.

The Community

While there are many aspects that make up an esport, the community is arguably the most important. A game cannot be an esport without a dedicated community of players and viewers who are passionate about it.

The speedrunning community is one of the most supportive and friendly communities in gaming. Speedrunners are always happy to help new runners get started, and there are numerous resources available to help you learn the ropes. The community is also very welcoming to viewers, and it’s not uncommon to see new viewers asking questions and getting involved in discussions.

Another important aspect of the speedrunning community is its willingness to experiment. Speedrunners are always looking for new ways to play the games they love, and they’re quick to try out new ideas. This willingness to experiment has led to the development of many unique speedrunning strategies and techniques.

The speedrunning community is also very supportive of charity. Many speedrunners donate their winnings to charity, and there are often charity events held within the community. The most notable of these is Games Done Quick, which has raised over $22 million for various charities since its inception in 2010.

Conclusion

After taking a closer look at the world of speedrunning, it’s safe to say that yes, speedrunning can be considered an esports. While there are some who may not agree with this label, the fact remains that speedrunning does have many of the key components that are essential to esports. From organized competitions to dedicated communities, speedrunning has everything it needs to succeed in the world of competitive gaming.