Is Speedrunning A Game Cheating Or A Legitimate Skill Showcase

Speedrunning—completing a video game as quickly as possible—has grown from a niche hobby into a global phenomenon. With millions of viewers tuning into live events like Games Done Quick and online platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, speedrunning has become a mainstream part of gaming culture. Yet, persistent questions linger: Is it cheating? Does exploiting glitches invalidate the accomplishment? Or is it instead a true test of mastery, precision, and deep understanding of game mechanics?

The answer isn’t simple. To understand whether speedrunning constitutes cheating or a legitimate display of skill, one must examine its methods, community standards, intent, and evolution over time.

The Nature of Speedrunning: What It Really Involves

At its core, speedrunning is about optimizing every action to minimize completion time. This includes mastering controls, memorizing enemy patterns, planning efficient routes, and executing flawless inputs. But what sets elite speedrunning apart is the use of advanced techniques—some of which were never intended by developers.

These include:

• Sequence breaking: Accessing areas or items earlier than intended.
• Glitch exploitation: Using programming oversights to clip through walls or duplicate items.
• Input manipulation: Performing frame-perfect jumps, tricks, or menu manipulations.
• Tool-assisted routing: Studying perfect runs generated with tools (though not used in real-time runs).

While these may sound like \"cheating,\" they are typically embraced within specific categories defined by the speedrunning community. The distinction lies in transparency and categorization—not all speedruns aim for “vanilla” playthroughs.

Tip: Always check the category when watching or attempting a speedrun—categories define what techniques are allowed.

Categories Define Fair Play: Not All Runs Are Equal

One of the most important aspects of modern speedrunning is its system of categories. These classifications ensure fairness and clarity about what constitutes a valid run. They also address concerns about cheating by creating boundaries for each type of attempt.

Category	Description	Common Techniques Allowed?
Any% Glitched	Finish as fast as possible using any means, including major glitches	Yes – sequence breaks, out-of-bounds, arbitrary code execution
Any% No Major Glitches	Fastest completion without game-breaking exploits	Limited – minor skips okay, no unintended warps
100%	Complete all objectives, collectibles, and side content	Rarely – focus on optimization, not glitch abuse
Glitchless	No glitches whatsoever; follow intended progression	No – pure skill and route efficiency only
Low%	Beat the game while completing minimal objectives	Sometimes – depends on ruleset

This structured approach allows players to choose how strictly they want to adhere to intended gameplay. A runner who completes *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* in under 15 minutes using warp songs and hover boots isn’t cheating—they’re excelling within the “Any% Glitched” framework.

“Speedrunning isn’t about bypassing challenge—it’s about finding new ones. The real skill is in mastering systems the developers didn’t even know existed.” — Narcissa Wright, Pioneer Speedrunner and Co-founder of Speed Demos Archive

Skill vs. Exploitation: Where Is the Line?

Critics often argue that using glitches diminishes the value of a speedrun. If a player clips through a wall instead of solving a puzzle, aren’t they skipping the designed experience?

Possibly. But consider this: discovering and reliably executing a complex glitch requires immense technical knowledge, practice, and consistency. For example, performing a “wrong warping” in *Super Mario World* involves manipulating memory values through precise item collection and screen positioning—a process so delicate that a single misstep ruins the entire run.

Moreover, many glitches are not easy shortcuts. They demand:

• Frame-perfect timing (1/60th of a second accuracy)
• Detailed understanding of game engine behavior
• Hours of repetition to achieve consistency
• Mental resilience to recover from mistakes during long attempts

In fact, some of the most celebrated speedruns involve techniques so difficult that only a handful of people worldwide can perform them consistently. That level of mastery aligns more closely with athletic performance than with cheating.

Mini Case Study: The Evolution of Super Metroid Speedrunning

In the early 1990s, *Super Metroid* was praised for its expansive world and non-linear design. When speedrunning emerged, initial Any% records hovered around two hours. Over time, runners discovered small sequence breaks—like skipping early bosses via precise wall jumps—that shaved off minutes.

By the 2000s, a major breakthrough occurred: the “Spark Crawl,” allowing access to late-game areas much earlier. Then came the “Crystal Flash,” an item duplication glitch enabling rapid power-up farming. Each discovery revolutionized the meta, reducing world record times from 90 minutes to under 50.

Yet, rather than being banned, these techniques became standardized within the “Glitched” category. Runners still spend hundreds of hours practicing them because success isn’t guaranteed—it demands perfection under pressure.

This evolution illustrates how speedrunning isn't static. It's a dynamic discipline where knowledge builds over decades, driven by curiosity, collaboration, and competition.

Community Standards: Policing Integrity Without Central Authority

Unlike traditional sports governed by official bodies, speedrunning relies on decentralized community oversight. Websites like speedrun.com serve as hubs where runners submit videos, moderators verify legitimacy, and viewers scrutinize every detail.

To maintain credibility, submissions undergo rigorous review:

1. Runs must be recorded in full, showing uninterrupted gameplay.
2. External tools (e.g., save states, slowdown mods) are prohibited unless specified.
3. Emulator use is permitted only if verified accurate and disclosed.
4. Attempts must match declared category rules precisely.
5. Disputed runs are open to public discussion and moderator appeal.

This self-regulating model fosters trust. While fraud occasionally occurs—such as fake runs submitted with edited footage—the community swiftly identifies and removes them. Repeat offenders face bans, preserving the integrity of leaderboards.

Compare this to actual cheating in competitive gaming: using aimbots, wallhacks, or unauthorized scripts. Speedrunning does none of these. It operates within the constraints of the original game code—even when pushing it to extremes.

Tip: Watch verification comments on speedrun.com to see how thoroughly runs are analyzed for legitimacy.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started in Speedrunning

If you're intrigued by speedrunning and wonder whether it's accessible to newcomers, here’s a realistic path to begin:

1. Choose a Game You Love: Passion sustains motivation. Pick something you enjoy replaying.
2. Watch Top Runs: Study world-record attempts on YouTube or Twitch. Analyze routing, tech usage, and pacing.
3. Join the Community: Find Discord servers or forums dedicated to your chosen game. Ask questions, share progress.
4. Learn the Basics: Start with a beginner-friendly category like “Any% No Major Glitches” or “Glitchless.”
5. Break Down the Run: Segment your attempt into manageable parts (e.g., first boss, mid-game transition).
6. Practice One Section at a Time: Master individual segments before linking them together.
7. Record and Review: Film your attempts. Identify repeated mistakes and refine execution.
8. Submit Your First Run: Once consistent, upload to speedrun.com for feedback and ranking.

Progress won’t be linear. Expect setbacks, failed attempts, and frustration. But each failure teaches something valuable about timing, movement, or decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions

Isn’t using glitches just breaking the game? How is that fair?

Glitches don’t “break” the game in a destructive sense—they reveal hidden behaviors in the code. Just as athletes exploit physical laws (like drafting in cycling), speedrunners exploit digital ones. As long as the technique is reproducible and documented, it becomes part of the accepted toolkit within its category.

Do developers support speedrunning?

Many do. Nintendo has acknowledged GDQ events. Hidetaka Miyazaki, director of *Dark Souls* and *Elden Ring*, has expressed admiration for speedrunners’ creativity. Some indie developers even design games with speedrunning in mind, adding leaderboards or post-game challenges.

Can I speedrun without knowing advanced tech?

Absolutely. Categories like “Glitchless” or “100%” emphasize route optimization and clean execution over obscure exploits. Many popular games have welcoming communities for casual runners.

Checklist: Is Your Speedrun Legitimate and Respected?

• ✅ Recorded in full, without cuts or edits
• ✅ Played on approved hardware/emulator
• ✅ Matches declared category rules exactly
• ✅ No external assistance (macros, save states, etc.)
• ✅ Submitted with clear title, description, and links
• ✅ Verified by available evidence (RTA timer, camera view, input display)

Following this checklist ensures your run will be taken seriously and contributes positively to the ecosystem.

Conclusion: Mastery, Not Manipulation

Calling speedrunning “cheating” misunderstands both its purpose and execution. It is not about circumventing effort but redefining it. Where traditional play focuses on narrative, exploration, or combat mastery, speedrunning emphasizes efficiency, pattern recognition, and mechanical excellence.

The best speedrunners aren’t hackers or cheaters—they’re analysts, athletes, and artists. They study games like scholars, train like competitors, and perform like entertainers. Their accomplishments reflect dedication, ingenuity, and respect for the medium.

Rather than dismissing speedrunning as illegitimate, we should recognize it as a unique expression of player agency—one that celebrates not just finishing a game, but mastering it in ways its creators never imagined.

🚀 Ready to explore the world of speedrunning? Pick a game, join a community, and start learning. Whether you aim for the leaderboard or just want to deepen your appreciation, every second counts.