Inside the World of PC Game Speedrunning

11 August 2025

If you’ve ever heard someone talk about "beating a game in under 30 minutes" or "breaking world records in video games," you’ve probably stumbled into the fast-paced and thrilling world of speedrunning. But what exactly is speedrunning, and why are gamers so obsessed with shaving precious seconds off their records? Buckle up, because we’re diving headfirst into the fascinating world of PC game speedrunning—where every click, jump, and glitch matters.

What Is Speedrunning?

Speedrunning is exactly what it sounds like: completing a video game as quickly as possible. But it’s not just about rushing through levels like a caffeinated squirrel. It’s a craft, an art form, and sometimes, even a science. Players, known as speedrunners, use extreme skill, impeccable timing, and sometimes downright mind-bending glitches to beat games faster than any casual player would think possible.

And guess what? It’s not just about popular games like Minecraft or Doom. Almost every game you can think of, from obscure indie titles to big-budget AAA blockbusters, has a speedrunning community.

Why Is Speedrunning So Popular?

"Why would anyone want to rush through a game instead of savoring it?" you might ask. It's a fair question! But for speedrunners, it's not about skipping the experience—it’s about mastering it. There’s something undeniably thrilling about pushing yourself (and the game) to its absolute limits.

Think of it like running a marathon but with shortcuts, hacks, and tricks nobody knew existed. Whether it’s nailing a difficult jump sequence, skipping entire levels with a glitch, or executing pixel-perfect moves, every success feels like a victory over time itself.

And let’s not forget the rush of competition. With leaderboards and world records constantly changing, speedrunning is a community-driven sport where bragging rights are everything.

The Tools of the Trade

To the untrained eye, speedrunning might look like chaotic button-mashing. But in reality? It’s anything but. Speedrunners rely on a mix of skill, strategy, and technology to reach their goals. Here are some tools of their trade:

1. Emulators

PC speedrunners often use emulators to play older games. These let them run console games on their computers with added perks like save states (so they can practice specific parts of the game) and frame-perfect replay tools.

2. Frame Counting

Sometimes, victories in speedrunning boil down to single frames (we’re talking about milliseconds here). Software tools help speedrunners count frames, analyze their play, and optimize their movements.

3. Practice Mods

For certain PC games, speedrunners create or use mods that let them practice specific sections of the game over and over. Think of it like a boxer repeatedly working on their jab before stepping into the ring.

4. Streaming Platforms

Speedrunning thrives on community, and platforms like Twitch and YouTube are home to thousands of speedrunners who stream their runs. Sharing their progress and celebrating (or lamenting) their attempts with a live audience is half the fun.

Glitches: The Secret Sauce of Speedrunning

Ever seen someone walk through a wall in a video game? Or skip from the first level to the final boss in 10 seconds? Welcome to the wild world of glitches.

Glitches are unintended quirks or bugs in a game’s code, and speedrunners love finding and exploiting them. They’re like hidden doors that the developers didn’t mean to leave open.

For example, in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, there’s a trick called the "Wrong Warp" that lets players jump to entirely different parts of the game. In Super Mario 64, there's a glitch where you can perform "Backward Long Jumps" to break through walls and gain insane momentum.

Some glitches are so famous that they’ve become staples of the speedrunning community. But finding new glitches? That’s like striking gold.

Techniques Every Speedrunner Masters

If you’re thinking about diving into speedrunning yourself, you’ll need to master a few key techniques. These skills separate the pros from the amateurs:

1. Routing

Routing involves planning the fastest path through a game. This means figuring out which items, levels, or shortcuts are essential and which can be skipped. It’s like drawing a treasure map—but instead of gold, you’re chasing seconds.

2. RNG Manipulation

RNG stands for "random number generator." It’s the code games use to determine random events, like enemy movement or item drops. Speedrunners use clever tricks to manipulate RNG in their favor, ensuring they get the best outcomes every time.

3. Sequence Breaking

This is a fancy term for playing a game in a way the developers never intended. Maybe you grab a late-game weapon early or skip a crucial cutscene. It’s all about breaking the game’s sequence to save time.

4. Precision Movement

In speedrunning, movement is everything. Jumping a fraction of a second too early or turning slightly too wide can ruin a run. That’s why speedrunners spend countless hours fine-tuning their movements until they’re razor-sharp.

The Role of the Speedrunning Community

What makes speedrunning truly special is the community. Speedrunners are a tight-knit group of gamers who share strategies, celebrate each other’s successes, and even collaborate on massive projects.

One of the biggest events in the speedrunning world is Games Done Quick (GDQ), a biannual charity marathon where speedrunners showcase their skills live. It’s a wholesome mix of competition, camaraderie, and philanthropy, with millions of dollars raised for good causes.

Online forums, Discord servers, and subreddits are also buzzing hubs where speedrunners share tips, discuss glitches, and encourage newcomers.

Breaking into Speedrunning

So, you’re intrigued and want to try speedrunning, huh? Good news—it’s easier than ever to get started.

Step 1: Choose Your Game

Pick a game you love. It doesn’t have to be popular or competitive—just something you enjoy. Trust me, you’re going to spend a LOT of time playing it.

Step 2: Learn the Basics

Head to speedrunning websites like Speedrun.com to check out existing runs and resources. Many games have detailed guides written by experienced runners.

Step 3: Practice, Practice, Practice

This is the hard part. You’ll need to practice specific sections of the game over and over until you’ve nailed them. Don’t get discouraged—speedrunning is all about incremental improvement.

Step 4: Join the Community

Get involved! Watch runs on Twitch, join discussions online, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice. The speedrunning community is super welcoming to newcomers.

Step 5: Record Your Runs

When you’re ready, start recording your runs and posting them online. Even if you don’t set any world records, you’ll be part of something bigger.

The Thrill of the Run

At its core, speedrunning is all about the thrill. That heart-pounding moment when you’re milliseconds ahead of your personal best. The triumph of discovering a new glitch or perfecting a tricky maneuver. The joy of sharing your success with a community that truly gets it.

Sure, you might never hold a world record. But in the world of speedrunning, every improvement is a win. And that’s what keeps people coming back for more.