Speedrunning: Interviews with the Quickest Gamers

by David Snyder, Matthew Wilhelm Kapell (Editor)

Overview

More than 30 years after its 1985 release on the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Mario Bros. continues to be one of the best-selling video games of all time. For many, completing the classic side-scrolling platformer remains challenging enough to provide many hours of entertainment.
In late 2016 an American gamer known online as "darbian" completed the game in record time, rescuing Princess Peach in 4 minutes, 56 seconds. darbian practices speedrunning, a method of play in which quick reflexes and intimate familiarity with games are used to complete them in the fastest possible time.
Through 10 interviews with darbian and other elite speedrunners, this book explores the history and techniques of this intense and competitive type of gaming.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476670805
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	11/15/2017
Series:	Studies in Gaming
Pages:	260
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

David Snyder teaches English in Japan. Matthew Wilhelm Kapell teaches American studies and humanities at Pace University and lives in Brooklyn.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents


Preface 1

Introduction 3

Speedrunning 9

History 33

Interviews

  Michael, LackAttack24, The Legend of Zelda (NES)  45

  Adam, AdamAK, Grand Theft Auto Series (PS2, PC)  64

  Beck, abney317, Mario Kart 64 (N64)  80

  Allan, cheese05, Super Mario 64 (N64)  102

  Kari, EssentiaFour, Final Fantasy VI (SNES)  119

  Andrew, goatrope, Halo: Combat Evolved (Xbox, PC)  136

  Jayson, ZFG, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)  153

  Mabel, EnchantressOfNumbers, Tetris: The Grand Master (Arcade)  171

  Nick, WildAnaconda69, Super Metroid (SNES)  189

  Brad, darbian, Super Mario Bros. (NES)  208

Epilogue 227

Data Sources 229

Recommended Viewing 231

Chapter Notes 232

Bibliography 243

Index 249