Hey Tarnished! If you’ve been diving deep into the Elden Ring speedrunning community lately, you might have stumbled upon some jaw-dropping Any% Unrestricted times popping up on YouTube. We’re talking about runs that seem too good to be true, potentially shattering existing World Records. As fellow enthusiasts of pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the Lands Between, it’s exciting to see new contenders emerge. However, based on my own deep dive and analysis, it’s become clear that some of these recently uploaded "record-breaking" runs are, unfortunately, not legitimate. In this post, we'll break down exactly why these alleged WRs are fake and what’s really going on behind the scenes. Let’s get to the bottom of this Elden Ring speedrun drama.
Table of Contents
0:00 Intro: The Allegations Surface
It’s a tale as old as time in the speedrunning world: someone posts an unbelievably fast time, and the community’s gears start turning. Recently, an individual began uploading Any% Unrestricted speedruns for Elden Ring that were, to put it mildly, astonishing. These videos were presented as new World Records, and the sheer speed displayed was unlike anything seen before. My initial reaction was excitement, as the pursuit of the ultimate WR is what drives many of us. But as I dug deeper, red flags started appearing. The consistency, the execution of certain tricks, and the overall presentation felt… off. This led me down a rabbit hole of investigation to determine the validity of these claims.
2:17 Run Analysis: Cracking the Code
The core of any speedrun investigation lies in analyzing the run itself. In this case, the uploaded runs showed a runner achieving times that bypassed several known major sequence breaks and glitches that are standard in the Any% Unrestricted category. This immediately raised suspicions. A legitimate runner pushing the boundaries would typically be exploring new optimizations for existing strategies or discovering entirely new, albeit complex, strats. Instead, what was presented seemed to involve highly questionable methods that, upon closer inspection, appeared to be fabricated.
My investigation focused on cross-referencing the claimed footage with known legitimate gameplay mechanics and established speedrunning techniques for Elden Ring. The discrepancies were too significant to ignore.
One of the key areas I examined was the RNG manipulation. While some level of RNG is inherent in any run, the claimed times seemed to rely on an almost impossible string of perfect luck, or, more likely, external manipulation. Furthermore, the execution of certain movement techniques and combat encounters felt unnatural for someone attempting a top-tier speedrun. It’s one thing to have a god-tier run; it's another to have a run that defies the known limits of the game engine and player input.
I spent hours dissecting the video frame by frame, comparing it with established runs and attempting to replicate the claimed feats myself. The conclusion was consistent: the presented times were not achieved through legitimate gameplay. It’s disheartening to see this happen, as it undermines the hard work of dedicated runners.
The Actual World Record
In the spirit of accuracy and celebrating genuine achievement, it's crucial to highlight the legitimate World Record holders for Elden Ring Any% Unrestricted. The dedication and skill required to achieve these times are immense. One such runner who has consistently pushed the meta and holds impressive records is seeker. You can witness their incredible, verified World Record run here:
Elden Ring Any% Unrestricted WR by seeker
The speedrunning community thrives on authenticity and shared dedication. It's important to recognize and support the runners who achieve their PBs through genuine skill and countless hours of practice.
I strongly encourage everyone interested in Elden Ring speedrunning to follow and support the legitimate runners in this category. They are the ones truly pushing the game to its limits. Here are some of the top contenders you should definitely check out:
- Runner 1 (Example Link)
- Runner 2 (Example Link)
- Runner 3 (Example Link)
- Runner 4 (Example Link)
- Runner 5 (Example Link)
These individuals represent the true spirit of speedrunning. Their commitment to the craft is inspiring, and their runs are a testament to what’s possible through dedication and expertise.
A Call to the Community
It’s vital that we, as a community, uphold the integrity of speedrun records. While we should always be open to new discoveries and incredible feats, skepticism is healthy when something seems too good to be true. I urge everyone to be critical of suspiciously fast runs and to verify claims through established community channels and trusted sources.
Please, do not engage in harassment towards the individual involved. Instead, let’s focus our energy on celebrating legitimate achievements and supporting the runners who put in the honest work. If you have any insights or have noticed similar discrepancies in other runs, feel free to share them respectfully in the comments below.
My journey into uncovering these fakes highlights the importance of transparency and verification in the gaming and speedrun communities. It’s through collective vigilance that we maintain the trust and excitement inherent in competitive gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Any% Unrestricted speedrunning?
Any% Unrestricted is a speedrun category where the goal is to finish the game as quickly as possible without any specific limitations on glitches, exploits, or game mechanics used. - Why is it important to verify speedrun records?
Verifying records ensures fairness and maintains the integrity of the competitive scene. It honors the hard work and dedication of legitimate runners. - What are common signs of a potentially fake speedrun?
Unrealistic execution of difficult tricks, impossible RNG, bypass of major game sections without explanation, or footage that appears manipulated can be red flags. - How can I support Elden Ring speedrunners?
You can support runners by watching their streams on platforms like Twitch, following them on social media, subscribing to their YouTube channels, and engaging positively with their content.
Conclusion: The Pursuit of True Speed
The Elden Ring speedrunning community is vibrant and filled with incredibly talented players. While discovering fake records can be a bummer, it ultimately strengthens our resolve to celebrate and verify genuine accomplishments. Let’s continue to push the boundaries of Elden Ring, chase those personal bests, and support the runners who inspire us with their incredible skill and dedication. Keep practicing, keep exploring the Lands Between, and may your runs be ever faster and, most importantly, legitimate!
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