How To Master Speedrunning Glitches (Ethically)

Speedrunning is a fascinating niche of gaming that revolves around completing a game as quickly as possible, often by exploiting in-game mechanics or glitches. Some of the most exciting parts of speedrunning come from utilizing these glitches---unintended behaviors or errors in the game's code that allow players to bypass certain sections or manipulate the game in unique ways. While these glitches may seem like just "cheats" at first glance, they are a critical aspect of the speedrunning community and contribute to the exciting, dynamic nature of competitive play. However, as with any competitive community, the ethics of how these glitches are used in speedrunning have been called into question. This article will explore how to ethically master speedrunning glitches, ensuring that players can engage with the community in a responsible and fair manner.

What is Speedrunning?

Before diving into the ethics and mastery of glitches in speedrunning, it's important to first understand what speedrunning is. At its core, speedrunning is about completing a video game in the fastest time possible, typically under certain conditions. There are various categories of speedruns, including:

• Any%: Complete the game as fast as possible with no restrictions, using any method, including glitches.
• 100%: Complete the game fully, often requiring the player to collect all items or complete all objectives.
• Glitchless: Completing the game without using any glitches, relying only on conventional gameplay techniques.

While each category requires different skill sets, the use of glitches in speedrunning---particularly in the Any% category---has become a fascinating and sometimes controversial topic. This is where ethical considerations come into play.

What Are Glitches in Speedrunning?

In the context of speedrunning, glitches are unintended behaviors in a game that allow players to bypass certain mechanics, skip large portions of the game, or exploit specific bugs to their advantage. These glitches can be anything from simple sequence breaks, where players complete objectives in an unintended order, to more complex tricks, such as teleporting to different locations or manipulating the game's physics to perform actions that wouldn't normally be possible.

Types of Glitches Used in Speedrunning

1. Sequence Breaking: This involves completing tasks or objectives in an order that wasn't intended by the developers. For instance, a player might skip a level or a boss fight that is supposed to be part of the natural progression of the game.
2. Exploits: These are specific behaviors or bugs that are taken advantage of, such as triggering unintended physics interactions or bypassing in-game cutscenes to save time.
3. Out-of-Bounds: These are glitches that allow the player to move outside the normal playable areas of the game world, often leading to skips in sections of the game or even immediate completion of certain objectives.
4. Memory Corruption: In rare cases, speedrunners might use glitches that exploit errors in the game's memory management, causing the game to behave unpredictably. This can lead to significant time-saving techniques but is usually considered to be one of the more "controversial" types of glitches.
5. Tool-Assisted Speedruns (TAS): These runs involve using specialized tools and software to perform glitch-perfect runs. While TAS is technically a type of speedrunning, it is not done by human players and is often considered more of a showcase of what can be achieved with perfect input rather than a competitive speedrun.

The Ethical Dilemma in Speedrunning Glitches

While glitches are an accepted part of speedrunning, the question arises: Should certain glitches be used in competitive speedruns? This is a difficult question, as the definition of what is considered "ethical" can vary depending on the community, the game, and the specific nature of the glitch.

Key Ethical Considerations

1. Fairness: The core of competitive gaming is fairness. Speedrunning is no different in this respect. If a glitch exploits an unintended feature that is present in all versions of the game and cannot be fixed by normal gameplay methods, it may be considered fair game. However, if a glitch gives an unfair advantage that some players cannot replicate, this can create an imbalance.
2. Game Integrity: Some glitches involve using bugs that completely break the intended experience of the game. For example, skipping entire levels or using a glitch to bypass essential game mechanics might be seen as "breaking the game," which goes against the spirit of playing through it as intended.
3. Community Guidelines: Speedrunning is heavily community-driven. Different games have different expectations when it comes to the use of glitches. Some speedrunning communities have clear rules about what glitches are acceptable, while others may leave it up to the players. It's important to consider these community guidelines and respect the norms of each game's speedrunning scene.
4. Exploiting Bugs That Can't Be Reproduced: A glitch that works in one version of the game but not another---or that requires specific conditions or precise inputs that the average player cannot perform---may not be considered "ethical" in some circles. The community may debate whether such glitches should be allowed, as they can make the game less accessible or feel less like a "true" test of skill.
5. The Impact on Development: Speedrunning can sometimes lead to game-breaking glitches being discovered, which can be problematic for developers. If players exploit these glitches too much, developers might feel pressured to patch them out in future updates. This can alter the experience of the game for players who are not speedrunning, which may be seen as an ethical concern in some communities.

How to Ethically Master Speedrunning Glitches

Mastering glitches is a key part of becoming a successful speedrunner, but doing so ethically requires a certain mindset. Here are some guidelines for approaching glitches in a responsible and fair way:

1. Understand the Nature of the Glitch

Before incorporating a glitch into your speedrun, take the time to thoroughly understand its nature. Is the glitch an unintended consequence of the game's mechanics, or is it something that can be considered part of the game's design? Does it alter the intended progression of the game? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you determine whether or not it's ethical to use in your run.

2. Respect Community Guidelines

Each speedrunning community has its own set of guidelines about what glitches are acceptable. Some communities may have specific rules regarding which glitches are legal for speedruns and which ones are not. Always check these rules before attempting to incorporate any glitch into your runs. Disrespecting these guidelines can lead to your runs being disqualified or even banned from leaderboards.

3. Consider the Accessibility of the Glitch

A glitch should be something that can be replicated by anyone with the same level of skill and knowledge, not something that only a select few can pull off. If the glitch requires very specific timing or extreme precision, it could create an unfair advantage, leading to an ethical dilemma. A glitch that is accessible to all players in the community is usually considered more ethical.

4. Focus on Skill, Not Just Exploits

While glitches are a key part of speedrunning, they should not overshadow the skill and strategies involved in mastering a game. Ethical speedrunners should aim to use glitches that enhance their ability to perform at the highest level, without relying on glitches that completely bypass the game's mechanics. Using glitches to skip sections or break the game in ways that undermine the challenge can diminish the value of a speedrun.

5. Engage with the Community

Speedrunning is all about the community. If you are unsure about the ethical implications of using a particular glitch, engage with other speedrunners to get their opinions. The community is usually more than willing to discuss the ethics of specific glitches and share their thoughts on what is acceptable. Engaging in these conversations will help you make more informed decisions about the glitches you use in your runs.

6. Stay Transparent

If you do use glitches in your speedrun, be transparent about it. Don't hide or downplay the use of glitches, and be open about the techniques you are using. This transparency will not only help maintain the integrity of your runs but also ensure that the community knows what to expect from your submissions.

7. Avoid Game-breaking Glitches

Some glitches are so severe that they break the game beyond recognition. For example, using a glitch that causes the game to crash or enter an unstable state might be seen as unethical in competitive speedrunning. Stick to glitches that are fun and creative but don't ruin the game experience for others.

Conclusion

Mastering speedrunning glitches is an exciting and challenging part of the speedrunning community. However, to engage with glitches ethically, it's essential to consider the fairness of their use, their impact on the game's integrity, and their accessibility to all players. By following community guidelines, understanding the nature of each glitch, and staying transparent about your methods, you can ensure that your speedrunning efforts are both competitive and ethical.

As speedrunning continues to evolve, the ethical considerations surrounding glitches will remain a crucial conversation within the community. By approaching this aspect of the game with respect and responsibility, you can contribute to a fair and exciting competitive environment where skill and creativity can shine.

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