The Enduring Legacy of Speedrunning The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Since its release in 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been a cornerstone of speedrunning competitions. This open-world adventure game has captivated players and speedrunners alike with its vast landscape, intricate mechanics, and countless ways to optimize performance.

A Brief History of Speedrunning

Speedrunning, as a competitive activity, has its roots in the early days of video games. However, it wasn't until the release of Breath of the Wild that the community began to take notice of the game's potential for speedrunning. The first speedruns were created shortly after launch, and they quickly gained traction on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

As the months went by, the speedrunning community continued to grow, with new categories emerging and existing ones evolving. Today, Breath of the Wild is one of the most popular games in the speedrunning world, with a dedicated following and a wide range of competitive categories.

Speedrunning Categories

Over time, various speedrunning categories have emerged for Breath of the Wild. These categories cater to different playstyles and techniques, allowing runners to showcase their skills and creativity. Some popular categories include:

• Any%: The goal is to complete the game as quickly as possible, regardless of how it's done.
• 100%: Runners must collect every collectible, complete every side quest, and achieve other achievements while still trying to finish the game as fast as possible.
• Low%. Runners aim for a speedrun without collecting or exploiting many things.
• Glitchless: The goal is to complete the game using only legitimate glitches and exploits, without relying on cheating or exploiting bugs.

Techniques and Strategies

Speedrunners employ a wide range of techniques and strategies to shave precious seconds off their completion times. Some of these methods include:

• Glitches: Exploiting software bugs or glitches can help runners skip entire sections of the game, reduce loading times, or gain temporary invincibility.
• Optimization: Runners may use specific routes, item placements, and other techniques to minimize unnecessary movement and maximize efficiency.
• Memory management: Careful memory management is essential for speedrunning, as it allows runners to optimize their gameplay and avoid wasting time on unnecessary actions.

Community and Competition

The speedrunning community for Breath of the Wild is active and passionate, with many enthusiasts sharing their runs, providing feedback, and competing against one another. The game's popularity has led to various competitions and events, including:

• Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ): An annual event featuring a marathon session of speedrunning various games, including Breath of the Wild.
• Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ): Similar to SGDQ, but with a focus on showcasing the speedrunning community's talents.

Conclusion

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has become an integral part of the speedrunning world, with its intricate mechanics and vast open world providing endless opportunities for optimization and creativity. As the speedrunning community continues to evolve and grow, it will be exciting to see what new categories and techniques emerge for this beloved game.

The Future of Speedrunning

As the speedrunning community looks to the future, there are several trends and developments worth noting:

• New categories: The rise of new categories, such as "Low%" and "Glitchless," has added a fresh layer of complexity to the sport.
• Increased competition: The growth of social media platforms and online communities has made it easier for speedrunners to connect with one another and compete at a higher level.
• New game releases: With each new game release, the speedrunning community will undoubtedly find ways to optimize performance and push the limits of what is possible.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild continues to be a driving force in the world of speedrunning. As the sport evolves, it's essential to recognize the dedication and creativity that goes into creating these incredible runs. Whether you're a seasoned speedrunner or simply an enthusiastic fan, there's always something new to discover and explore in this dynamic and ever-changing community.