Game types · Speedrunning culture
Which speedrun are you watching? Any%, 100% and the clock explained
A record has no meaning by itself. Category, start point, load treatment and video proof define every second. Use this viewer card—and a sane first-run plan.
Two runners can finish the same game ten minutes apart without one playing ten minutes better. One board may count loads; another may remove them. The routes may belong to different categories. Speedrunning begins with a ruleset, not the large number on the overlay.
This guide explains the shared language: objective, category, clock, splits and proof. Current references were checked on 29 October 2026. No conclusion rests on a leak or a world record that can change tomorrow.
A category is a small contract
Any% generally means reaching the ending as fast as the category rules allow, not literally collecting a percentage. 100% has no universal definition: a community may require every stage, item or another explicit set. Glitchless, character-specific and individual-level boards add different constraints.
Speedrun.com moderation guidance says category rules should state timing start and end plus extra gameplay restrictions. Read them before the run; they explain why a room is skipped and why an apparently fine attempt gets reset.
RTA, IGT and load-removed time are different clocks
RTA measures real elapsed time between the defined start and finish. IGT comes from the game and may omit menus or loads depending on that game. LRT removes defined loading periods. Speedrun.com supports RTA, real time without loads and in-game time on leaderboards.
A fair comparison needs the same category, platform, version and timing method. Faster storage can change RTA without changing execution, so some communities remove loads while others keep them. Follow the live rules rather than choosing the clock after seeing a result.
Splits tell the story better than timer colour
Runners divide a route into stages, bosses or decisive tricks. A green split can mean that segment beat a personal comparison; it does not promise a record. The remaining route may be harder and the selected comparison may differ.
LiveSplit can show splits, game time and supported auto splitters. A polished timer does not verify a run. Complete video, correct version and any required audio matter more.
A glitch is not cheating merely because it looks impossible
If the category permits a wall clip or sequence break, executing it is part of the competition. If the rules prohibit it, it does not belong on that board. The distinction lives in a published ruleset.
Speedrun.com asks for enough evidence to meet the community's burden of proof and allows stricter proof for competitive times. Turbo is disallowed by default unless a game's rules say otherwise. Keep a clear local recording; a failed stream cannot recreate a lost run.
Start with a reviewable run, not a perfect run
Choose a familiar game and a short category with clear rules. Watch a recent route, write down start and finish, then complete one slow run. Improve the two largest repeatable losses instead of chasing every second.
Test video, timer and audio before an attempt. PC capture may need only recording software; a console usually needs an HDMI capture device to feed video into a computer. Check inputs, resolution, passthrough and operating-system support.
PLAYLORE VIEWER CARD
The five-box viewer card
Fill it from the category page in one minute; the number becomes a comparable story.| Box | Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Any%, 100% or a subcategory? | Defines completion |
| Clock | RTA, IGT or LRT? | Defines counted time |
| Version | Which platform and patch? | Can change loads and glitches |
| Rules | What is allowed? | Explains skips |
| Proof | Is the full run visible? | Enables review |
FIRST RUN
Your first run in seven steps
Build an honest baseline you can review, not a world record on night one.- Pick a short category and read its current rules.
- Write down timing start, end, method and platform.
- Watch a recent route and separate requirements from choices.
- Create a few clearly named splits.
- Record five test minutes and inspect picture, audio and storage.
- Finish a full attempt and keep the local file.
- Review the two largest losses before the next run.
Related reading
Two tools only when the route needs them
General Amazon.sa searches with no retailer imagery or prices. Check platform, inputs and rules before buying.
Compatible wired controller
Useful only when your device and category permit it. Check layout and the game's turbo policy.
Compare on Amazon.saHDMI capture card for console
For feeding an HDMI source into a computer. Check resolution, passthrough and OS support.
Compare on Amazon.saAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Primary sources
Sources and verification log
Checked 29 October 2026. We used first-party service rules and labelled the 2019 photograph as historical. No rumour or volatile record supports the conclusion.PLAYLORE VERDICT
Speed is the result; rules are the second game
Ask two questions first: what is the objective, and which clock is running? Resets, green splits and wall clips then become legible decisions.
Starting requires fewer gadgets than it appears. Clear rules, reviewable video and one completed attempt make an honest baseline.