Learning to Speedrun a New Game - Part 2 - Learning the Basics of your Speedrun
7This video will show you how to learn the basics of a speedrun one step at a time. I will take you through my own learning process as I approach World of Illusion with no knowledge of its speedrun at all. Also we'll focus on how to learn and practice specific sections. The importance of revisiting earlier levels, longer practice periods and how we decide whether or not a trick is worth learning yet. Above all else, we learn to keep it fun at all times.
This video is part of a series I've called Learning to Speedrun a New Game, a 5 part series detailing my own journey. We begin knowing nothing about the speedrun of World of Illusion, and ultimately will set some realistic and achievable targets. I have some experience with speedrunning before, having owned a couple of world records, and so I will be commentating every step I take and the thoughts that are going through my mind.
Speedrunning is a very rewarding hobby. That feeling you get when everything finally comes together and you set a new record or smash a personal target can't be beat. It's hard work, but it's worth it. You can even combine it with childhood gaming classics for that nostalgia kick. This series is designed to be a realistic reflection of what learning to speedrun is like. No trickery or trying to make myself look good, you'll see failure and success together.
Speedrunning isn't for everybody. If you're watching this video thinking about giving it a go then my advice is to just try. You already have an interest or you wouldn't be here, and it's free to get started so there's no excuse really. Just start with something non-committal, you don't need to be recording right off the bat or anything like that. Play your favourite game by yourself a few times while keeping a vague look at the clock. See if it's your thing. Oh and be patient. Patience is a must.
For me, speedrunning is a fun way to breathe new life into single player games that you've already completed. It extends the life of any game by giving yourself new goals and challenges. The fact that you can share in these challenges with other speedrunners also allows communities to form, turning things into both a group effort and a personal challenge.
The difficulty of a speedrun is also very flexible, making learning one suitable to a wide range of gamers. Your freedom of choice over the game allows you to select one that is reasonable for your abilities. It is then your responsibility to assign achievable, realistic goals. But the sky's the limit, you can always push on ever higher, take the world record, push your own world record even lower. The freedom to challenge as much as you wish, and stop when you're satisfied, is yet another positive aspect of speedrunning.
I've blabbed for quite a while here but I genuinely love speedruns, to watch, learn or undertake myself. Heck even learning the secrets and strategies behind games I personal have no interest in can still be fascinating. If you've read this far, then give it a go.
If anyone has any questions about speedrunning, or anything really, then please feel free to ask. I'll do my best to answer anything I can or otherwise point you in the direction of someone who can.
Resources used in this series:
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software):
https://obsproject.com/
RetroArch (Emulator)
https://www.retroarch.com/
Livesplit (Timer)
https://livesplit.org/
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On this channel I make a variety of gaming content. Sometimes we're reviewing up and coming indie games, sometimes we're revisiting retro classics for a Let's Play. The only consistent factor is that it's all gaming, and it's all accompanied by sarcastic commentary. If that's your thing then I have links:
Current Long-Form Let's Play
Tiberian Sun: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZNTVa-GeoDfnUeiVeRciIM4OlOSBikl-
Short, Single Video Let's Plays
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZNTVa-GeoDezmO3uEvmsVTddqvAsQtwu
A Short Review Series (Indie game reviews approx. 5-10mins)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZNTVa-GeoDduBiahGykCqg6InPRlfmM4
Hopefully you'll join me for those, and I shall see you then.
I always try to be as fair and objective as possible when making my review videos, giving some honest feedback and a bit of criticsm here and there. Remember that games these days are always subject to change so many of the things mentioned here may no longer be true depending on how old this video is.
Please leave a comment if you have any questions about this video, or suggestions for future videos. I'm always open to hearing what you guys have to say.
Thanks again for watching and please, enjoy.