Unlocking the World of Speedrunning: How to Join and Thrive in Gaming’s Fastest Communities

Photo by YongGuang Tian on Unsplash

Introduction to Speedrunning Communities

Speedrunning, the pursuit of completing video games as quickly as possible, has blossomed into one of the most active and innovative sectors of the gaming world. Driven by passionate players, speedrunning communities offer camaraderie, technical mastery, and a sense of accomplishment unlike any other niche. These groups thrive on collaboration, competition, and creativity, transforming the way games are played and enjoyed. By joining a speedrunning community, you can learn from experts, participate in events, and challenge yourself against both time and peers.

The Core Elements of Speedrunning Communities

Speedrunning communities are built on several foundational elements:

Collaboration and Learning: Members share strategies, route optimizations, and technical tricks through forums, Discord servers, and live streams. Newcomers benefit from mentorship and tutorials, while seasoned runners push boundaries with advanced techniques [3] .
Competition and Recognition: Leaderboards, races, and marathons allow runners to compete for world records or simply personal bests. Recognition comes not just from winning but from contributing strategies and supporting others [1] .
Entertainment and Community: Watching skilled runners perform live on platforms like Twitch, or archived on YouTube, provides hours of entertainment and fosters a sense of belonging for fans and participants alike [5] .

Popular Speedrunning Communities and Where to Find Them

Several online hubs serve as the backbone of the speedrunning world. The two most prominent are:

Speedrun.com: Featuring leaderboards for over 20,000 games, Speedrun.com is the largest and most diverse speedrunning site. Here, you can track records, find rules, and connect to official forums and Discord groups for each game. To get started, visit Speedrun.com and browse the games directory to find active communities and their associated resources [1] .
Speed Demos Archive (SDA): One of the oldest speedrunning sites, SDA hosts a curated collection of high-quality, verified runs and offers a forum for sharing strategies and organizing events. While less central than in years past, SDA remains respected for its standards and legacy [1] .

Most active speedrunning communities maintain Discord servers, usually linked from their Speedrun.com forum pages. These servers are where daily discussions, coaching, and event planning take place. If you’re interested in a specific game, check its Speedrun.com page for Discord and forum links [4] .

Games with the Largest Speedrunning Communities

Certain games have attracted especially large and dedicated followings due to their technical depth, replay value, and history in the speedrunning scene. Examples include:

Super Mario 64: Known for its precise movement and route flexibility, this classic has inspired thousands of runners and dozens of categories.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: Famous for its deep glitches and routing possibilities, Ocarina of Time’s community remains large and active.
Celeste, Doom, Fallout: New Vegas, and Cuphead: Each of these games has unique challenges that have fostered robust sub-communities, with regular races and community-driven optimizations [2] .

To explore these communities, start by searching the respective game on Speedrun.com, where you’ll find forums, guides, and links to community spaces.

Benefits of Joining a Speedrunning Community

Speedrunning groups offer more than just competitive outlets. The main benefits include:

Skill Development: Learn advanced game mechanics, discover new glitches, and refine your routing skills with input from experts [3] .
Networking and Friendship: Meet like-minded players from around the world, collaborate on projects, or even form teams for races and marathons.
Entertainment and Inspiration: Watching live races or marathon events can be both exciting and educational, often motivating newcomers to start their own speedrunning journeys.
Charity and Community Impact: Major events like Games Done Quick (GDQ) raise millions for charity while showcasing top runners and building community spirit [5] .

Step-by-Step Guidance for Joining and Thriving

Getting started in a speedrunning community is straightforward, but success often comes from taking a structured approach:

Choose Your Game: Select a game you’re passionate about. Research its speedrunning scene on Speedrun.com to gauge activity and find available resources.
Study the Basics: Watch existing runs on YouTube or Twitch to understand the current strategies and categories. Most leaderboards provide video links for top runs.
Join Community Channels: Look for official Discord servers or forums linked from Speedrun.com. Introduce yourself and seek beginner guides or mentorship opportunities [4] .
Practice and Record: Use timer tools (e.g., LiveSplit), and practice short segments before attempting full runs. Share your progress with the community for feedback and encouragement.
Submit Your Runs: Once you’ve achieved a time you’re proud of, follow the submission guidelines on Speedrun.com to upload your run. Be sure to include video evidence and adhere to category rules.
Participate in Events: Watch for races, marathons, or community challenges posted in forums and Discord servers. These events are excellent for both learning and networking [5] .

Challenges you may encounter include learning complex game mechanics, understanding community-specific rules, and finding time to practice. Many runners overcome these by asking questions in Discord, watching tutorials, and participating in smaller community events before moving to larger competitions.

Alternative Pathways and Expanding Your Involvement

Speedrunning is not limited to playing games quickly. Alternative roles include organizing events, moderating leaderboards, creating tutorials, or developing tools for other runners. Many communities welcome volunteers for charity marathons, technical support, or content creation. If you’re interested in helping beyond running, express your interest in community forums or Discord channels.

It’s also possible to specialize in a particular aspect, such as glitch hunting, route planning, or commentary. Some speedrunners focus on marathons or charity events, while others develop educational resources for newcomers. The diversity of opportunities means you can tailor your involvement to your interests and skills.

Key Takeaways for Newcomers

Speedrunning communities are inclusive, innovative, and constantly evolving. Whether you’re looking to compete, learn, or simply enjoy the spectacle, there are multiple ways to get involved. Start by researching your favorite game’s scene, join the relevant community channels, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Participation is open to all, regardless of experience level, and the support networks within these groups make them ideal for both casual and dedicated gamers.