Timing your Run
First things first, you're going to need to time your run - and not just your final attempt either, you'll want to be recording every run, even the failures, so that you know where you're improving, what you need to practice, etc.
Some games come with a built in timers - timing your run this way is referred to as an "IGT" or "In-Game Time" run. If you are running a game or category that uses In-Game Time, you don't need to do anything else, simply look at that timer.
Games that don't have timers are run "RTA" or "Real Time Attack", using speedrun timer software.
The majority of speedruns (even games with in-game timers) use timer software to keep track of their "splits" and I have provided links to some below.
"Splits" are the times for specific segments of a run, these are defined manually by the runner and are a good indication of their pace. However, a good split early in a run can make up for a bad one later on, or vice versa - don't treat your pace as reason to give up or get cocky.
Speedrun Timer Software:
*LiveSplit - http://livesplit.github.io/
WSplit - https://github.com/Nitrofski/WSplit/releases
Streaming/Recording your game
Ok, obviously you can't just claim a time with no proof - who are you? Todd Rogers? - so, as well as timing your run, you'll need to be recording it.
This should be a recording of the entire run, start-to-finish, and if you're running RTA then you'll need to make sure the timer is visible.
Below are some links to streaming/recording software that are popular, free, and easy to set up. Consider streaming your runs while you record, it can be fun!
Recording/Streaming Software:
*OBS - https://obsproject.com/
XSplit - https://www.xsplit.com/products/broadcaster
Additional Tips
It can be useful to play through the game a few times just to learn the route and make notes on what you'll want to do in each segment, so that you don't find yourself slowing down to remember what to do next, or missing an important time save because you forgot about it.
Watch failed runs back to see where you're losing time. Take a moment to think about whether some of the things you are doing are actually necessary, or if you can skip them.
Other Resources:
Some alternatives to the links I've provided - https://www.speedrun.com/resources
Video on how to get started speedrunning - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxhd4tGuhf4
*I use these, so I can answer any questions you have regarding them.
First things first, you're going to need to time your run - and not just your final attempt either, you'll want to be recording every run, even the failures, so that you know where you're improving, what you need to practice, etc.
Some games come with a built in timers - timing your run this way is referred to as an "IGT" or "In-Game Time" run. If you are running a game or category that uses In-Game Time, you don't need to do anything else, simply look at that timer.
Games that don't have timers are run "RTA" or "Real Time Attack", using speedrun timer software.
The majority of speedruns (even games with in-game timers) use timer software to keep track of their "splits" and I have provided links to some below.
"Splits" are the times for specific segments of a run, these are defined manually by the runner and are a good indication of their pace. However, a good split early in a run can make up for a bad one later on, or vice versa - don't treat your pace as reason to give up or get cocky.
Speedrun Timer Software:
*LiveSplit - http://livesplit.github.io/
WSplit - https://github.com/Nitrofski/WSplit/releases
Streaming/Recording your game
Ok, obviously you can't just claim a time with no proof - who are you? Todd Rogers? - so, as well as timing your run, you'll need to be recording it.
This should be a recording of the entire run, start-to-finish, and if you're running RTA then you'll need to make sure the timer is visible.
Below are some links to streaming/recording software that are popular, free, and easy to set up. Consider streaming your runs while you record, it can be fun!
Recording/Streaming Software:
*OBS - https://obsproject.com/
XSplit - https://www.xsplit.com/products/broadcaster
Additional Tips
It can be useful to play through the game a few times just to learn the route and make notes on what you'll want to do in each segment, so that you don't find yourself slowing down to remember what to do next, or missing an important time save because you forgot about it.
Watch failed runs back to see where you're losing time. Take a moment to think about whether some of the things you are doing are actually necessary, or if you can skip them.
Other Resources:
Some alternatives to the links I've provided - https://www.speedrun.com/resources
Video on how to get started speedrunning - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxhd4tGuhf4
*I use these, so I can answer any questions you have regarding them.
![[Image: yrrzy.gif]](https://yrrzy.net/images/buttons/yrrzy.gif)
