What Is Speedrunning in Gaming?

Are you getting tired of playing your favorite games the same way over and over? If you’re looking for a fresh challenge, you’re in the right place. At DubDub, we’re a gaming center started by passionate gamers. We believe there’s always a new way to play, and that’s why we’re excited to talk about speedrunning.

So, what is speedrunning? Here’s a quick breakdown:

• A Race Against Time: Completing a video game as quickly as possible, aiming for the fastest time.
• Strategic Play: Using optimized routes, clever shortcuts, and sometimes even glitches to move faster.
• Solo or Social: It can be a solo challenge, a competitive online leaderboard race, or a live tournament event.
• A Skill Test: Requires practice, planning, and precision, letting players test their abilities in new ways.
• Fresh Excitement: Adds a new level of challenge and excitement to games you already know and love.

To understand why speedrunning is such a big part of the gaming community, and how you can start trying it yourself, let’s break down how speedrunning actually works.

How Does Speedrunning Work?

Speedrunning begins with a simple idea: finish a game as fast as possible. But once you try it, you realize there’s a lot of depth beneath that goal.

To start, you pick a game you enjoy and choose the type of run you want to attempt. From there, speedrunning becomes a process of discovery. Players map out routes, test different strategies, and experiment with movement or combat techniques to find the fastest possible path. Some routes rely on precision and skill, while others depend on creative problem-solving or exploiting an overlooked mechanic the developers never intended.

Most speedrunners use timers and split tools to track how long each segment takes. As you learn the game’s patterns and refine your approach, the challenge becomes shaving off seconds, or even fractions of a second, to beat your personal best.

What Are the Different Ways to Speedrun a Game?

Speedruns are organized into categories so players can choose the type of challenge that fits their style. Some of the most popular include:

• Any% — Finish the game as fast as possible, using any strategies available (including glitches).
• 100% — Complete every objective and collect every item before reaching the end.
• Glitchless — Finish the game without intentionally using glitches.
• Category Extensions — Fun or unusual runs created by the community (like completing the game blindfolded or without taking damage).

These categories give players the freedom to choose how they want to approach a run. Beginners often start with Any% or a shorter game, while long-form players may gravitate toward 100% or challenge-based categories.

What Kind of Games Can You Speedrun?

Pretty much any game can be speedrun. If it has a beginning and an ending, or even just levels or goals, someone has likely found a way to complete it as fast as possible.

Retro games like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda are classics in the speedrunning scene, but modern titles like Minecraft, Celeste, Elden Ring, and countless indie games also have thriving speedrunning communities. Each genre brings something different:

• Platformers challenge your precision and reaction time.
• RPGs test your planning and resource management.
• Puzzle games rely on fast thinking and creative solutions.
• Action games push your combat skills and movement efficiency.

The best place to start is with a game you already love. When you know its mechanics and layout, experimenting with faster routes becomes much more fun.

Why Do Gamers Love Speedrunning?

Speedrunning offers a unique mix of challenge, mastery, and creativity. For many players, the thrill comes from improving their time and discovering just how far they can push their skills. Every new personal best is a win.

But the community is a huge part of the appeal. Speedrunners share strategies, create tutorials, cheer each other on, and celebrate milestones together. Leaderboards, live streams, and big charity events bring people from all over the world together around one shared passion: playing games faster than anyone thought possible.

How Can I Get into Speedrunning?

Speedrunning is more accessible than you might think, and there are many ways to get involved, including:

• Streaming and Online Competitions: You can watch top players on platforms like Twitch or even stream your own attempts.
• Local Events and Gaming Centers: In-person tournaments offer a chance to compete face-to-face and feel the energy of a live audience.
• Casual Challenges with Friends: Set personal goals with your friends and have a friendly competition to see who can finish a game fastest.

These options make speedrunning a fun and social activity, whether you’re connecting with others online or meeting up in person.

It’s Time to Try Gaming a Different Way

Speedrunning brings a fresh, exciting challenge to the games you already love and opens the door to a community that thrives on creativity and friendly competition. Whether you want to push for a world record or simply see how fast you can finish your favorite game, the experience is rewarding and accessible.

If you’re ready to try speedrunning for yourself, come visit us at DubDub. Our high-performance setups, fast connections, and welcoming community make it the perfect place to practice, experiment, and have fun. We’re conveniently located in the Bon Air Shopping Center in Greenbrae, just minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge and right off U.S. Highway 101. Book your gaming station today!