In long games, a mistake near the end can waste hours of effort. Without dedicated save files, practicing the final boss would require playing through the entire game every single time. Savvy runners create "save states" or specific save files at crucial checkpoints, allowing them to practice only the sections where they consistently lose time. 2. Mastering Glitches and Movement
Speedrunning is the art of completing a video game as fast as possible. While it requires immense skill, reflexes, and pattern recognition, it also relies heavily on preparation. One of the most overlooked, yet critical, components of high-level speedrunning is the .
While using external saves for practice is standard, using them during a run for an advantage is strictly forbidden by nearly every speedrunning community.
Save files act as the ultimate bookmarking system. Using external tools, emulator features, or homebrew software on original consoles, runners compile massive libraries of "practice saves."
The role of the save file defines how a run is categorized on leaderboards like Speedrun.com. New Game (NG): speedrunners save file
A speedrunners save file is a modified or strategically positioned game save designed to allow immediate access to specific parts of a game. While casual players might have one save for their entire journey, a speedrunner might maintain dozens or hundreds of individual files, each serving a unique purpose:
Running a full game takes time. If a crucial trick happens 45 minutes into a game, practicing that trick by playing for 45 minutes every time is inefficient. A save file allowed in practice allows a runner to place a save directly in front of that trick, allowing them to attempt it dozens of times in minutes rather than hours. 2. Eliminating RNG (Random Number Generation)
: Some modern games, like those discussed on Reddit , include features that allow players to rewind save files to earlier states, which can sometimes manipulate in-game playtime for speed-based achievements. 3. Technical Maintenance
There are two primary locations where SpeedRunners stores data, depending on whether the game is using Steam Cloud synchronization or local storage. In long games, a mistake near the end
Using a save file is universally accepted. Using a save file during the recorded run is almost always considered cheating unless it is a specific "Segmented" or "New Game+" category.
Before a runner can attempt a flawless "Single Segment" (RTA) world record run, they must master individual sections of a game. Save files are the primary mechanism for this isolation.
If you have Steam Cloud enabled (Right-click game > Properties > Updates > Enable Steam Cloud), you do not need to do anything. Steam will automatically download your save when you install the game on a new machine.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ SPEEDRUN SAVE CATEGORIES │ ├───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┤ │ Fresh Save (Any% / hundo) │ NG+ / Pre-Baked Saves │ ├───────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────┤ │ • Starts at 0% progress │ • Unlocked end-game gear │ │ • Standard item collection│ • Optimized inventory slots│ │ • Focus on movement/route │ • Maximum character stats │ │ • No external data needed │ • Requires verified setups │ └───────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────┘ New Game Plus (NG+) One of the most overlooked, yet critical, components
Using pre-made files from a third party is usually restricted to specific "NG+" (New Game Plus) categories.
: Runners use save files to start exactly at difficult boss fights or complex platforming sections. This allows them to "grind" a single 30-second trick for hours without replaying the entire game.
For a speedrunner, a save file is something entirely different. It is a tool. It is a calculated variable. In some cases, it is a weapon.
While most major speedrun categories are "Real Time Attack" (RTA—played in one continuous sitting), a huge part of the speedrunning community relies on save files for practice.