Table of Contents
Introduction: The Thrill of the Unexpected
It's a moment every speedrunner dreams of, or perhaps dreads, depending on their perspective. That instant when a bug, an oversight in game design, or a precise but unintended player action leads to bypassing a significant portion of a game. These aren't planned tricks; they are accidental discoveries that redefine how a game is played at its fastest. In my own speedrunning journey, finding even a minor glitch that saves a few frames feels like striking gold. These top 10 skips, however, are on a whole other level. They are testaments to player ingenuity and the often-unpredictable nature of video games.
What Are Accidental Skips?
Accidental skips, often referred to as glitches or bugs exploited for time-saving, are unintended behaviors within a game's code or design that allow players to bypass sections, objectives, or mechanics. Unlike intended sequence breaks or shortcuts, these are typically found by chance or through extensive, often random, experimentation. The speedrunning community thrives on identifying, analyzing, and replicating these phenomena. It's a constant cat-and-mouse game with developers, where players push the boundaries of what's possible.
The beauty of accidental skips lies in their spontaneity. They remind us that even in meticulously designed games, there's room for the unexpected.
These discoveries often stem from players exploring the fringes of the game world, pushing physics engines to their limits, or executing complex inputs in rapid succession. The #POG moments in speedrunning often come from these unscripted events. Sometimes, a specific piece of #hardware or a particular game version can even be the key to triggering these anomalies, leading to debate about category rules and the integrity of a #WR.
The Top 10 Accidental Skip Discoveries
While the exact order can be debated and new discoveries are always on the horizon, here's a look at some of the most impactful accidental skips to grace the world of speedrunning. Remember, these aren't just theoretical; they've been instrumental in setting new #record times across various platforms, from #PC to #Playstation and #Xbox.
1. The 'Super Mario 64' BLANK (Big Level Access Negation) Glitch
This early gem in #speedrunning history allowed players to bypass entire levels by manipulating the camera and Mario's position upon entering a painting. It fundamentally changed how the game was approached at a competitive level.
2. 'Ocarina of Time's' Warp Zones
While some might be intended, certain warp mechanics in 'Ocarina of Time' were found through sheer exploration. Players discovered ways to clip through walls or trigger area transitions prematurely, skipping large chunks of Hyrule.
3. 'Super Metroid's' Early Power Bombs
The iconic "bomb jump" allows Samus to reach areas far earlier than intended by using bomb physics to propel herself upwards. While now a staple, its initial discovery was a game-changer for early #speedrunning attempts.
4. 'Portal 2's' Out-of-Bounds Exploits
The physics-bending nature of 'Portal 2' lent itself to numerous accidental skips. Players found ways to use portals to get outside the intended playable area, allowing them to bypass puzzles and entire test chambers.
5. 'Minecraft's' Duplication Glitches
Over the years, 'Minecraft' has seen several accidental duplication glitches discovered. These allow players to infinitely replicate items, drastically altering the game's progression and resource management, especially in Any% categories.
6. 'Dark Souls' Boss Skips
The intricate level design of 'Dark Souls' is ripe for exploration. Players have found ways to clip through fog walls or navigate environments in unintended ways to skip major boss encounters, saving considerable time.
7. 'Half-Life 2's' Gravity Gun Skips
Certain sequences in 'Half-Life 2' could be bypassed by cleverly using the Gravity Gun to manipulate objects and the player's own position, leading to unexpected shortcuts.
8. 'Celeste's Bounds Breaks
While 'Celeste' is known for its tight platforming, players discovered ways to break the intended boundaries of levels using precise dashes and interactions with the environment, leading to massive skips.
9. 'Bloodborne's' Skip Exploits
Similar to 'Dark Souls,' 'Bloodborne's' interconnected world allowed for the discovery of skips, particularly by navigating areas in ways that bypassed triggers or entire sections of the game.
10. 'Ori and the Blind Forest's' Sequence Breaks
The Discord community for 'Ori and the Blind Forest' was a hotbed for discovering unintended shortcuts and sequence breaks, often involving precise movement and environmental interactions that bypassed intended pathways. This game is a prime example of how player collaboration can uncover hidden routes.
The #speedrunning community for Ori and the Blind Forest is incredibly dedicated. Many of these skips were found through relentless experimentation and sharing findings on their Discord server.
The Discovery and Implementation Process
Finding an accidental skip is often just the first step. The real work begins afterward. Once a potential skip is found, it needs to be:
- Replicated: Can it be done consistently?
- Analyzed: How does it work? What are the precise inputs or conditions required?
- Optimized: Can it be performed faster or more reliably?
- Integrated: How does it fit into the overall #speedrun strategy? Does it require changes to other parts of the run?
This process involves countless hours of practice, often shared among runners. Tools like save states, slow-motion replays, and debug modes are invaluable. The expertise shared by veteran runners, like P4ntz and Fog in the context of 'Ori,' is crucial for refining these discoveries into usable #PB or #WR strats. It's a collaborative effort that benefits the entire #gaming community.
Impact on the Speedrunning Meta
Accidental skips have a profound impact on the speedrunning meta. They can:
- Drastically Reduce Time: Skipping entire levels or bosses can save minutes, pushing #record boundaries.
- Change Categories: A major skip might lead to the creation of new categories (e.g., Glitchless vs. Glitched).
- Increase Accessibility: Sometimes, a complex skip can make a game's speedrun more approachable, although the execution itself can be incredibly difficult.
- Extend Game Lifespans: Discovering new ways to play keeps older games fresh and exciting for competitive players.
The quest for the perfect #speedrun is a continuous evolution, fueled by these serendipitous findings. The thrill of finding a new strat, especially one born from an unexpected bug, is what keeps the #streaming and #speedrunning scenes vibrant.
The Community's Role in Finding Skips
It’s rare for a significant skip to be discovered in a vacuum. More often than not, it’s a collaborative effort. Dedicated communities, like the one for 'Ori and the Blind Forest,' share their findings on Discord servers, forums, and platforms like Reddit. Players like SimonNaar, Amyrlinn, and Omnigamer often contribute by testing theories or documenting precise execution. This collective intelligence is what drives progress in #speedrunning. The sharing of knowledge ensures that these accidental discoveries benefit the wider #gamer population.
The sheer volume of shared knowledge within game-specific communities is staggering. Without platforms like Discord, many of these groundbreaking skips might have remained undiscovered.
The Future of Accidental Discoveries
As games become more complex and players become more skilled at exploring their boundaries, the potential for new accidental skips remains high. Modern engines, intricate level designs, and the sheer variety of player interactions mean that there are always new frontiers to push. Whether it's a subtle physics exploit in a new AAA release or a major sequence break in a beloved indie title, the thrill of accidental discovery will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of #speedrunning. Who knows what Vulajin, DrTChops, Redmage08, Squrpion, or Shenanagans will find next?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an intended skip and an accidental one?
An intended skip is a shortcut or sequence break designed into the game by the developers, often as an Easter egg or a reward for exploration. An accidental skip is an unintended consequence of a bug or glitch in the game's code or mechanics, discovered by players.
How do speedrunners find these accidental skips?
They are found through a combination of extensive gameplay, experimentation, pushing game mechanics to their limits, exploring glitches, and sometimes sheer luck. Community collaboration plays a huge role in sharing and verifying these discoveries.
Are accidental skips allowed in all speedrun categories?
It depends on the category rules. "Glitched" categories often allow and encourage the use of major skips. "Glitchless" categories, however, strictly prohibit them, focusing on the intended gameplay path. Always check the specific rules for a game and category on sites like Speedrun.com.
How much time can an accidental skip save?
The amount of time saved can vary dramatically, from a few frames to entire sections of a game, potentially saving minutes or even hours in longer titles. Major skips can completely redefine the optimal speedrun route.
Who discovered the skips mentioned in this list?
The original discovery credits for many skips are complex and often involve multiple people or communities over time. We've highlighted some key individuals and communities that were instrumental in bringing these skips to light and refining their use in speedruns, but many unsung heroes also contribute.
And that wraps up our look at the Top 10 Accidental Skip Discoveries in Speedrunning! These moments are a core part of what makes the speedrunning community so dynamic and exciting. What are your favorite accidental skips? Did we miss any crucial ones? Let us know in the comments below, and join our Discord channel to discuss all things speedrunning!