Speedrunners, those who compete to complete video games as quickly as possible, have been gaining popularity in recent years. But, many people wonder if speedrunners can make a living from their hobby. In this blog post, we will answer the question: do speedrunners make money?
Firstly, it’s important to note that most speedrunners do not make a significant amount of money from their hobby. However, there are a few ways that they can earn some income. One of the most common ways is through streaming their runs on platforms like Twitch, where viewers can donate money or subscribe to their channel for a fee. Some top speedrunners have managed to build up a sizable following and earn a decent income from their streams.
Another way that speedrunners can earn money is by participating in tournaments or competitions. Some events offer prize money for the winners, and top speedrunners can earn thousands of dollars by participating in tese tournaments. However, these events are few and far between, and the competition is fierce.
Some speedrunners also create content for YouTube, where they can monetize their videos through ads or sponsorships. This can provide a somewhat reliable source of income, but it requires a lot of time and effort to create high-quality videos that will attract a large audience.
Finally, some speedrunners have been able to turn their hobby into a full-time job by working for game developers or streaming platforms as a commentator, tester, or consultant. These positions are rare and highly competitive, but they can provide a stable income for those who are able to secure them.
In summary, most speedrunners do not make a significant amount of money from their hobby. However, there are a few ways that they can earn an income, such as through streaming, tournaments, creating content for YouTube, or working in the gaming industry. While it’s unlikely that speedrunning will make you rich, it’s still a rewarding and enjoyable hobby for those who love video games and the thrill of competition.
How Much Money Do SpeedRunners Make?
A SpeedRunner, also known as a delivery driver, typically earns an average hourly pay of $13.50 in the United States. This amount is 17% lower than the national average and is based on data from 12 sources including past and current employees, users, and job advertisements on Indeed over the past 36 months. It’s important to note that this pay may vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and company policies. Overall, being a SpeedRunner can be a great option for those seeking a job that allows for flexibility and mobility while earning a competitive pay rate.
Is Speedrunning an Esport?
Yes, speedrunning does count as an esport. Esports, or electronic sports, refer to competitive video gaming, and speedrunning involves players competing to complete a game as quickly as possible. In recent years, speedrunning has gained more recognition as a competitive gaming genre, with dedicated online communities, live events, and even speedrunning categories in major gaming competitions like Games Done Quick.
While speedrunning may not involve direct head-to-head competition, it still requires a high level of skill, strategy, and precision. Players must not only be familiar with the game’s mechanics, but also be able to execute complex maneuvers and glitches to optimize their runs. Additionally, speedrunners often compete against each other and strive to set new world records, which is a hallmark of traditional esports.
In conclusion, speedrunning is a form of competitive gaming that requires skill, strategy, and precision, and thereore can be considered an esport.
The Benefits of Speedrunning
The point of speedrunning is to complete a video game or a certain section of it in the shortest amount of time possible. This requires an immense amount of skill, practice, and knowledge of the game mechanics. Speedrunning can be done for personal satisfaction or to compete with oters for world records. It also serves as a way to explore the game’s mechanics and discover new strategies, glitches, and shortcuts that were previously unknown. Additionally, speedrunning can bring attention to older or lesser-known games, giving them renewed interest and popularity among players. Overall, speedrunning offers a unique and challenging way to experience and appreciate video games.
The Difficulty of Speedrunning
Speedrunning can be incredibly challenging and requires a lot of dedication and practice. Not only do speedrunners need to have a deep understanding of the game they are playing, but they also need to have quick reflexes and be able to execute complex maneuvers with precision. In addition, speedrunning ofen involves finding and exploiting glitches and other tricks to cut down on time, which requires a lot of experimentation and trial and error. Even a small mistake can cost precious seconds or minutes, so speedrunners need to be able to stay focused and maintain their composure under pressure. Overall, speedrunning is a difficult but rewarding pursuit for those who are up to the challenge.
The Most Famous Speedrunner
It is difficult to determine who the most famous speedrunner is as the speedrunning community is vast and diverse, with numerous talented individuals making a name for themselves in the field. However, some of the most well-known speedrunners include Cosmo Wright (now kown as Narcissa Wright), who gained fame for her runs of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time; Clint Stevens, who is known for his streams of Super Mario 64 and Celeste; and Summoning Salt, who is famous for his informative videos chronicling the history of speedrunning records. It is worth noting that fame and popularity are subjective and can vary depending on different factors such as the game being run, personality, and overall contribution to the speedrunning community.
The Most Challenging Speedrun Game
Determining the hardest game to speedrun can be subjective as different players may find different games more challenging. However, there are several games that are commonly considered to be among the hardest to speedrun.
One of the most difficult games to speedrun is Outlast, released in 2013. This survival horror game requires players to navigate thrugh a dark and twisted asylum while being pursued by various enemies. The game’s randomized AI and unpredictable events make it extremely challenging to speedrun.
Another game known for its difficulty in speedrunning is Cuphead, released in 2017. This side-scrolling shoot ’em up game features intense boss battles and a high level of difficulty, requiring players to have precise timing and quick reflexes.
Mirror’s Edge, released in 2008, is another challenging game to speedrun. This first-person parkour game requires players to navigate through a series of obstacles and challenges quickly and efficiently, making it a difficult game to master.
Tetris: The Grand Master 3 – Terror Instinct, released in 2005, is a puzzle game that requires players to complete increasingly difficult levels with speed and precision. The game’s high difficulty level and complex mechanics make it a challenge for even the most experienced speedrunners.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, released in 1998, is a classic game that is also notoriously difficult to speedrun. The game’s vast open world and numerous side quests require players to have a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics and glitches to complete it quickly.
Cloudberry Kingdom, released in 2013, is a platformer game that is randomly generated and endlessly challenging. The game’s difficulty level increases with each level, making it a difficult game to speedrun.
Finally, GoldenEye 007, released in 1997, is a first-person shooter that requires players to complete various missions quickly and efficiently. The game’s complex level design and unpredictable AI make it a challenge for speedrunners to complete it quickly.
In conclusion, while there are many difficult games to speedrun, Outlast, Cuphead, Mirror’s Edge, Tetris: The Grand Master 3 – Terror Instinct, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Cloudberry Kingdom, and GoldenEye 007 are among the most challenging. Players who are up for the challenge will need to have quick reflexes, a deep understanding of the game mechanics, and a high level of skill to complete these games quickly.
Are Glitches Permitted in Speedruns?
In the world of speedrunning, glitches are often considered an integral part of the process. As such, most categories allow the use of glitches to help speed up the game. These glitches can range from small, simple exploits to more complex and game-breaking bugs that can drastically alter the gameplay experience.
However, it is important to note that not all glitches are created equal, and some categories may place restrictions on specific glitches that are deemed too severe. These restrictions are typically put in place to prevent the game from becoming too easy or to maintain a level of challenge for the runner.
Ultimately, the decision to allow glitches or not is up to the specific category and the community that surrounds it. Some categories may choose to ban all glitches entirely, while othes may embrace them fully. Regardless, the use of glitches in speedrunning has become a widely accepted practice, and they are often seen as an exciting and creative way to approach a game’s mechanics.
The History of Speedrunning
It is difficult to pinpoint a specific individual or group who can be credited with inventing speedrunning. However, the development of a speedrunning community is generally considered to have originated with the 1993 computer game Doom. The game included a feature that allowed players to record and play back gameplay using files called demos. This feature was quickly utilized by players who began to compete with each oher to complete levels and the entire game in the fastest time possible. As the popularity of speedrunning grew, it spread to other games and platforms, ultimately leading to the vibrant and diverse speedrunning community that exists today.
The Skill of Speedrunning
Yes, speedrunning is a skill that requires a significant amount of practice, dedication, and strategy. In order to become a successful speedrunner, one must have a deep understanding of the mechanics and nuances of the game they are playing. This includes knowledge of glitches, shortcuts, and other techniques that can be used to complete the game quickly.
Speedrunners must also possess excellent hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, and the ability to react quickly to unexpected situations. They need to be able to make split-second decisions and adjust teir strategies on the fly in order to optimize their speed and efficiency.
In addition, speedrunning requires a strong sense of discipline and patience. It can take countless attempts to perfect a speedrun, and even the smallest mistake can cost valuable time. Speedrunners must be able to maintain focus and composure throughout the entire process, even when faced with frustrating setbacks.
Overall, speedrunning is a highly skilled activity that requires a combination of knowledge, physical ability, and mental fortitude. It is a challenging and rewarding pursuit that deserves recognition and respect from the gaming community.
The Appeal of Speedrunning
People like to speedrun for several reasons. Firstly, it’s a way to challenge oneself and push their limits as a gamer. Speedrunning requires a high level of skill, strategy, and precision, which can be very rewarding when accomplished successfully. Additionally, it can be a way to revisit old favorite games and experience them in a new and exciting way. Moreover, speedrunning can also be a competitive activity, allowing gamers to compete aganst others and showcase their skills. Finally, speedrunning can be a way to connect with a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for the same game or games. All of these factors contribute to the appeal of speedrunning and why it continues to be a popular activity among gamers.
The Best Speedrunning Time
The best speedrunning time is a constantly evolving concept as the speedrunning community continuously discovers new strategies and glitches to shave off seconds from their runs. As of 2021, the best theoretical time for the Any% category is 22 minutes and 44 seconds. However, development in the game and new discoveries have allowed for a new best possible time of 22 minutes and 30 seconds. It’s important to note that differet categories within the game, such as Master Mode Any%, Bug Limit Any%, and All …, also have their own best times. Therefore, the best speedrunning time is a variable and ever-changing number that is dependent on the category and the current state of the game’s development.
Do Speedrunners Play on Easy Difficulty Levels?
Yes, speedrunners typically play on Easy difficulty. This is bcause playing on higher difficulties can increase the time it takes to complete the game due to tougher enemy AI, lower resource availability, and other challenges. By playing on Easy, speedrunners are able to move through the game more quickly and efficiently, which is essential for achieving fast completion times.
It’s worth noting that not all speedrunners use the same difficulty level, and some may choose to play on harder difficulties for added challenge or variation. However, for most speedrun categories, Easy is the default difficulty setting. Additionally, many speedrunners use a performance mod called CaffeineMC, which can help the game run more smoothly and reduce lag, resulting in faster completion times.
Minimum Age Requirement for Speedrunning
To create a speedrun.com account, you need to be at least 13 years old. This is because the website has certain age restrictions in place to comply with laws and regulations concerning online data collection and user privacy. Additionally, if you plan on streaming your speedruns on platforms such as YouTube or Twitch, you also need to be at least 13 years old to create an account. These age restrictions are in place to ensure the safety and protection of young users online. As long as you meet the minimum age requirement, you shold be able to participate in the speedrunning community and share your achievements with others.
Choosing a Good First Speedrun Game
When looking to start speedrunning, it is important to choose a game that you enjoy playing, have access to, and feel comfortable with. Some beginner speedruns to consider include Super Meat Boy, Super Mario Bros., and Strider for the NES.
Super Meat Boy is a popular choice for beginners because it is a fast-paced platformer that can be completed in undr 30 minutes. Additionally, the game has a built-in timer to track your progress and offers a variety of levels to practice on.
Super Mario Bros. is another classic game that is great for beginners. Its straightforward gameplay and iconic levels make it a familiar and enjoyable experience for many. There are also many resources available online to help you learn the best routes and tricks for completing the game quickly.
Finally, Strider for the NES is a lesser-known game that offers a unique challenge for beginners. It is a side-scrolling action game that can be completed in under 20 minutes with practice. The game also has a variety of glitches and tricks to learn, making it a fun and rewarding experience for speedrunners.
Ultimately, the best first game to speedrun is one that you are excited to play and willing to put in the time and effort to improve your skills. With practice and dedication, any game can become a great speedrun opportunity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, speedrunners have the opportunity to make money through various means such as streaming, sponsorships, and competition winnings. However, it takes a lot of dedication, skill, and practice to become successful in this field. While not all speedrunners may make a substantial amount of money, the potential for earning is thre for those who are willing to put in the effort. It’s important to remember that speedrunning is not just about making money, but also about a passion for playing games and pushing oneself to achieve new goals. Overall, speedrunning is a unique and exciting profession that offers opportunities for financial success for those who are able to stand out in the competitive field.
