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Understanding the Feat: Arkham Anthology Any%
For those new to the Arkham speedrunning scene, the "Anthology" typically refers to a combined run of the main Arkham games: *Batman: Arkham Asylum*, *Batman: Arkham City*, and *Batman: Arkham Knight*. The Any% category means the goal is to finish the game's primary objective as quickly as possible, using any means necessary, including glitches, sequence breaks, and out-of-bounds exploits. Each game in the series presents unique challenges. *Arkham Asylum* is known for its tight level design and intricate combat mechanics that require precise timing. *Arkham City* opens up the world significantly, demanding efficient traversal and a mastery of movement glitches. Finally, *Arkham Knight* introduces the Batmobile and more complex combat encounters, along with its own set of potential skips and optimized routes. Combining these three massive games into a single speedrun is an endurance test. It requires not only peak performance in individual segments but also flawless transitions and resource management across hours of gameplay. Runners must master every grapple point, every counter, every gadget deployment, and often, exploit game engine quirks to shave off precious seconds.The New WR Holder: ShikenNuggets
ShikenNuggets has proven time and again to be a force to be reckoned with in the speedrunning world. Their dedication to pushing boundaries is evident in this record-breaking run. This isn't just about raw talent; it's about the meticulous study of game mechanics, the relentless pursuit of optimization, and the sheer willpower to keep grinding even after setbacks. Their current speedrun page on [speedrun.com](https://www.speedrun.com/) (pending verification for this new WR) showcases a history of impressive performances across various titles. You can follow their journey and witness their dedication firsthand. This new WR for the Batman: Arkham Anthology is a testament to their expertise and deep understanding of the games."Plenty of room for improvement across the board, but sub 6 is probably the last hour barrier we'll break here for a while, so I'm happy about that."This humble quote from ShikenNuggets perfectly encapsulates the spirit of speedrunning. Even with a World Record, the runner sees areas for further optimization. It's this mindset that drives the community forward.
Key Strats and Skips
While the full details of the strat are still being dissected by the community, any Any% run of the Arkham Anthology will heavily rely on a combination of techniques: * Glitches: Exploiting bugs in the game engine to bypass intended gameplay paths. This could include things like wrong-warping, object clipping, or sequence breaks that skip entire sections of the game. * Skips: Intentionally designed routes or mechanics that allow players to bypass mandatory objectives or boss fights. * Movement Optimization: Mastering advanced movement techniques, such as perfect glide timings, grapple boosts, and rapid gadget usage to maintain maximum speed. * Combat Efficiency: While Any% aims to skip combat where possible, unavoidable encounters must be cleared with absolute precision and speed, often using specific combo routes or environmental takedowns. * Menuing and Loading Times: Minimizing time spent in menus and optimizing save/load transitions where applicable can also shave off critical seconds. The Batman: Arkham games, especially *Arkham Knight*, are known to have deep mechanics that allow for significant optimization through skilled execution. Discovering and refining these strats is a collaborative effort within the #ComunidadGamer and the #ArkhamSpeedrunning community.The Sub-6 Hour Barrier
Breaking the 6-hour mark for the Batman: Arkham Anthology Any% speedrun is a significant milestone. It represents a point where the execution required becomes incredibly demanding, pushing runners to their absolute limits. This barrier often signifies the current peak of discovered strats and execution potential for a given run. Achieving this means shaving off potentially tens of minutes from previous records. It implies that the runner has not only mastered the core gameplay of each title but has also found and perfectly executed numerous glitches and skips that drastically shorten the overall playtime. The 5:48:36 IGT achieved by ShikenNuggets suggests a near-perfect run with highly optimized routes through all three games.The real-time for this incredible run clocks in at 6:01:51, showcasing the immense time save provided by these Any% strats!This difference between IGT and Real Time (RTA) highlights the impact of glitches and loading screens. While the in-game timer might be under 6 hours, the actual time spent playing, including loading and menuing, is slightly longer. This is a common metric in speedrunning, and ShikenNuggets' performance is stellar by both standards.
Community Reaction and Future of the Run
The reaction from the #ComunidadDeJugadores has been electric. Seeing a record like this fall generates immense hype and inspires other runners to attempt their own PB (Personal Best) or even challenge the WR. Discussions are already flooding forums and Discord servers dedicated to #ArkhamSpeedrunning, dissecting the run and speculating on future optimizations. Will we see the time drop further? Potentially. Speedrunning is a constantly evolving discipline. New glitches might be discovered, or existing ones might be refined to be faster or more consistent. However, as ShikenNuggets themselves noted, breaking the 6-hour barrier might be the last major hurdle for a while. Further improvements could be incremental, demanding even higher levels of precision and luck. This record also boosts the profile of #ClassicJRPGs and #ClassicGaming titles that might not always be in the mainstream spotlight but have dedicated speedrunning communities. The #ArkaneStudios titles, while not JRPGs, hold a special place for many gamers, and seeing them speedrunned at this level is fantastic.How to Get Involved
If this incredible speedrun has sparked your interest, there are several ways to get more involved: * **Watch the Run:** Keep an eye on ShikenNuggets' channels for the full video of the WR run. Seeing it in action is the best way to appreciate the skill involved. * **Follow ShikenNuggets:** Support their content by following them on Twitter ([https://twitter.com/ShikenNuggets](https://twitter.com/ShikenNuggets)) and joining their Discord server ([https://ift.tt/a1k3tFA](https://ift.tt/a1k3tFA)). * **Join the Community:** The #ArkhamSpeedrunning community is active and welcoming. You can connect with them via their dedicated channels ([https://ift.tt/iB82lhP](https://ift.tt/iB82lhP)). This is a great place to learn more about strats, ask questions, and connect with fellow runners. * **Explore More Speedruns:** Check out ShikenNuggets' other speedruns ([https://ift.tt/vslV97A](https://ift.tt/vslV97A)) and browse speedrun.com for the *Batman: Arkham Asylum*, *City*, and *Knight* leaderboards. * **Visit GamingSpeedrun.com:** Bookmark our blog for more news, guides, and features on the world of speedrunning! This World Record for the Batman: Arkham Anthology is a monumental achievement that celebrates the dedication and passion of the speedrunning community. Hats off to ShikenNuggets for this incredible run! What do you think of the new record? Let us know in the comments below!Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What exactly is the Batman: Arkham Anthology speedrun?
A1: It's a speedrun that combines Any% category runs of Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Knight into one continuous playthrough, aiming for the fastest possible completion time using any glitches or exploits.
Q2: What does Any% mean in speedrunning?
A2: Any% is a speedrunning category where the objective is to reach the end credits or final objective of the game using any means possible, including glitches, sequence breaks, and unintended mechanics.
Q3: Who is ShikenNuggets?
A3: ShikenNuggets is a prominent speedrunner known for their expertise in various games, including the Batman: Arkham series. They recently set a new World Record for the Batman: Arkham Anthology Any% run.
Q4: How much faster is this new record compared to previous ones?
A4: This new record of 5:48:36 IGT breaks the significant sub-6-hour barrier, indicating a substantial improvement over previous times, likely shaving off considerable minutes.
Q5: Where can I watch this new World Record run?
A5: The full video is expected to be uploaded by ShikenNuggets. Keep an eye on their Twitch and YouTube channels for the official submission and playback.