Curse

awry · Feb 17, 2010, 03:13 AM // 03:13

Hey everyone, so you might be wondering what sda is, it's speeddemosarchive.com, a site that archives the fastest speed runs of games. The runs are entertaining to watch and the precision and speed are almost like an artform. Yet I've noticed that there is no entry for guild wars so I thought it would be an interesting idea if the community could create a video showcasing that guild wars can be speed run'd with certain goals and specific rules.

I've checked the forums on sda and it seems the people there think guild wars cannot be run because it is a "mmo", multiplayer, time cannot be verified w/o a whole new account, I don't think that's the case as:

-the pve elements have set goals and final missions.

-it easy to verify and disprove cheating w/ the /age command at the beginning and the end of each video segment.

-multiplayer issue can be dealt with by the exclusive use of hero/henchmen

I think that it would be a fun project for the community to tackle the optimization routes and paths that the speed run would need and come up with strategies that are integral in these speed runs. Now I know some people are going to reply with tldr; and "waste of time" /12chars, but before you do, watch one of the videos of a game you've played either at sda or on youtube and see if it will change your mind. The runs are stunning, the game is deconstructed with amazing dedication. Some runners spend 8 hours recording and reloading to cut down a minute in game time by performing, dare i say, miracles, in the game. I think these speed runs are the ultimate tribute to a game and would be a cool challenge to undertake as well something exciting to watch. Not only that but I think we could all participate in this project with suggestions, tactics and input even if we don't plan on doing this run ourselves. Well that's all I have to say, just thought this would be a fun activity for the community.

The Cake Archer · Feb 17, 2010, 04:19 AM // 04:19

you should probably start a topic on sda, not here, as most people here will go 'lol pve'

also, skill updates may cause a problem

awry · Feb 17, 2010, 04:44 AM // 04:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Cake Archer

you should probably start a topic on sda, not here, as most people here will go 'lol pve'

also, skill updates may cause a problem

Well if they can roll pve as fast as they say they do, they should show us. Speed running is a pretty hard sport from the videos and comments i've seen. I've lurked a bit on the sda forums and I think most of them aren't as experienced in guild wars as the people here and can probably do a better job.

Yeah the skill updates might change plans but I doubt it's going to be that big of an problem in the big picture. speed run != speed clear so something like shadowform may not play as big a role.

The Cake Archer · Feb 17, 2010, 05:01 AM // 05:01

you still have a better chance of an actual run being done if you post on sda

Dzjudz · Feb 17, 2010, 11:51 AM // 11:51

- skill updates?
- unlocked skills for heroes? (applies to nightfall and eotn)
- drop differences? (some may get better weapons earlier in the game; runes; gold to buy mats to craft armor/weapons)

Morphy · Feb 17, 2010, 02:44 PM // 14:44

Speed runs are funny. I'd love to see someone do this.

awry · Feb 17, 2010, 03:24 PM // 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dzjudz

- skill updates?
- unlocked skills for heroes? (applies to nightfall and eotn)
- drop differences? (some may get better weapons earlier in the game; runes; gold to buy mats to craft armor/weapons)

You could always restrict your hero skill bar if you think it's necessary. And it's not like weapons do much that anyway, you could always just type /bonus and make a new set if you wanted. Many games in speed runs also have that luck factor with drops, it's the same thing.

Polgara Val · Feb 17, 2010, 03:29 PM // 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by awry

Well if they can roll pve as fast as they say they do, they should show us. Speed running is a pretty hard sport from the videos and comments i've seen. I've lurked a bit on the sda forums and I think most of them aren't as experienced in guild wars as the people here and can probably do a better job.

Yeah the skill updates might change plans but I doubt it's going to be that big of an problem in the big picture. speed run != speed clear so something like shadowform may not play as big a role.

SF is the only reason why speed clears are possible, anyone who sais otherwise is in the wrong. Name me one build in gw for uw or fow that can complete uw and fow in 25 min and under? There isint none, once its nerfed though speed clears will equate to 1-2 hours rather then 25 min.

Pol

awry · Feb 17, 2010, 03:39 PM // 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polgara Val

SF is the only reason why speed clears are possible, anyone who sais otherwise is in the wrong. Name me one build in gw for uw or fow that can complete uw and fow in 25 min and under? There isint none, once its nerfed though speed clears will equate to 1-2 hours rather then 25 min.

Pol

...what? I wasn't even talking about fow or uw speed clears, I was making the distinction between a speed run through a game and speed clear and how the same tactics aren't neccessarily going to apply.

Polgara Val · Feb 17, 2010, 03:41 PM // 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by awry

...what? I wasn't even talking about fow or uw speed clears, I was making the distinction between a speed run through a game and speed clear and how the same tactics aren't neccessarily going to apply.

Ah I see, i got the wrong end of the stick.

Pol

To Chicken To Die · Feb 17, 2010, 04:12 PM // 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polgara Val

SF is the only reason why speed clears are possible, anyone who sais otherwise is in the wrong. Name me one build in gw for uw or fow that can complete uw and fow in 25 min and under? There isint none, once its nerfed though speed clears will equate to 1-2 hours rather then 25 min.

Pol

I did hear a old geezer once saying there are more Areas in GW besides FoW and UW

. How about 600/smites (DTsc) Or trio Doa foundry/city with a famine?

Anyway I think youtube is good source atm for these things. Uploading is easy and the dates/comments can show if the speed clear is nerfed/changed in anyway pretty fast. Also I think this will under do the youtube as youtube is well known by now.

But if someone wants to HF

chessyang · Feb 17, 2010, 05:05 PM // 17:05

watching a D2 LOD run.. oh the memories...

Cluebag · Feb 17, 2010, 06:44 PM // 18:44

What constitutes a speed run? Is it tearing thru pre-sear, making it to post, then having guildies/runners run you to thk, and doing that mish, along w/the 3 fire island ones? I'm guessing the goal being recording the time it takes to start a brand new character, zipping along, and concluding at the end cinematic of the storyline/credit roll?

By the above criteria, I'm guessing propecies would be the fastest, since you can skip most of the missions, followed by factions then nightfall. Tho I imagine it'd be a dull video, unless the main character would off him/her self and focus on the runners. Even then, a good portion of the footage would be running, with the remainder being discordway with consets/consumables blowing shit up.

awry · Feb 17, 2010, 08:04 PM // 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cluebag

What constitutes a speed run? Is it tearing thru pre-sear, making it to post, then having guildies/runners run you to thk, and doing that mish, along w/the 3 fire island ones? I'm guessing the goal being recording the time it takes to start a brand new character, zipping along, and concluding at the end cinematic of the storyline/credit roll?

By the above criteria, I'm guessing propecies would be the fastest, since you can skip most of the missions, followed by factions then nightfall. Tho I imagine it'd be a dull video, unless the main character would off him/her self and focus on the runners. Even then, a good portion of the footage would be running, with the remainder being discordway with consets/consumables blowing shit up.

Well a speed run's rules and goals are defined before a run. So when you look at the official records of a speed run you sometimes see categories like, 100% complete speed run or any % speed run. So i imagine that if someone would do a run, they would set restrictions on themselves whether they will use unlocked hero skills, xulnai chest items, or whether they will use help from other players(which is nothing something normally done in a speedrun).

What makes a speed run entertaining to watch is an efficient minimalist speed oriented strategy, sacrificing assurance of victory for boldness. Something that makes the viewer stay on the edge of their seat wondering how is that runner still alive, did they just skip ALL OF THAT, and keep the viewer amazed at the tricks they're exploiting. ALSO I just want to make clear that although discord way may be the most reliable build for people, it does not make it the fastest build for a speed run. Not to mention a speed runner has to think to themselves whether or not it is worth it to travel to kamadan to get the 3 requisite necro healers/buy them skills, etc or whether or not they will take take a different hero based on availability. Really, watch a speed run video of some game you've played in the past. I think you'll understand what really constitutes a speed run when you see these people in action.