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The Staggering Achievement
The Lands Between have been conquered, but never quite like this. A new World Record has been set in the Elden Ring Any% speedrun, and it's absolutely mind-blowing. We're talking about a time of 25 minutes and 29 seconds. To put that into perspective, this is a record that not only pushes the boundaries of what was thought possible but also introduces a game-changing mechanic that has the entire speedrunning community buzzing. This isn't just another PB; it's a seismic shift in how Elden Ring can be played at its absolute fastest.
For those unfamiliar, the Any% category means completing the game as quickly as possible, with no restrictions on what glitches or exploits can be used. This record, achieved by a phenomenal speedrunner, leverages a recently discovered exploit that drastically cuts down traversal time. If you're a seasoned Tarnished or a curious newcomer looking to understand the bleeding edge of Elden Ring gameplay, you've come to the right place. We're diving deep into this incredible run, the controversial glitch, and what it means for the future of speedrunning this monumental title.
Breaking the Unthinkable: 25:29
Achieving a sub-30 minute Any% run in Elden Ring was a monumental task, a goal many thought would take years to reach, if ever. Previous records hovered around the 30-minute mark, with runners meticulously optimizing every jump, every spell cast, and every enemy encounter. The sheer scale of the Lands Between makes any speedrun a testament to dedication and mastery of game mechanics.
However, the landscape of Elden Ring speedrunning has been irrevocably altered. The runner who set this astonishing 25:29 WR has utilized a technique that effectively skips vast sections of the game world. This isn't just about faster movement; it's about re-imagining the path to victory. Imagine the difference between walking across a continent and teleporting directly to your destination – that's the kind of impact this new glitch has.
"This glitch completely rewrites the Any% route. We're no longer bound by the intended map progression. It's both exhilarating and a little bit terrifying for the category."
Unleashing the Zip Glitch: A Game Changer?
The star of this record-breaking performance is undoubtedly the "zip glitch." While the full technical breakdown is complex and still being dissected by the community, the core of it involves manipulating the game's physics engine to achieve incredible bursts of speed and verticality. Effectively, it allows players to 'zip' across large distances or ascend to areas normally inaccessible.
During this record run, the runner masterfully executed this exploit multiple times. This isn't a simple out-of-bounds trick; it requires precise timing, specific character setups (though the exact build details are still being analyzed, it likely focuses on fast weapon weapon animations or specific ash of war usage), and an intimate understanding of enemy AI and environmental collision. The reliance on this specific glitch raises questions about the future of the Any% category. Is a run without it still considered the "true" Any%?
The runner themselves acknowledged this uncertainty in their post, noting: "(THIS GLITCH WILL MOST LIKELY BE BANNED FOR LEADERBOARD SUBMISSIONS)". This sentiment is echoed across forums and social media. While undeniably impressive from a technical standpoint, the reliance on a glitch that bypasses significant portions of the game's intended content often leads to debates within the speedrunning community about what constitutes a legitimate run. Some might argue for a new category, like "Any% Glitchless" or "Any% With Zip Glitch," to preserve the integrity of the original category.
Community Reaction and Future of Elden Ring Speedruns
The reaction from the gaming community has been a mix of awe and debate. On one hand, the sheer skill and execution required to pull off the zip glitch consistently under pressure are undeniable. This run showcases incredible player mastery. On the other hand, the speedrunning scene thrives on pushing the limits of intended game mechanics. The introduction of such a powerful, game-breaking exploit forces a re-evaluation of category rules and what defines a "completion" of the game.
This WR will undoubtedly spark a surge of interest in Elden Ring speedruns. More runners will attempt to master the zip glitch, pushing the time even lower. However, the established communities for games like Zelda speedruns often have strict rulesets that ban certain types of exploits. It remains to be seen how the official Elden Ring speedrunning community will handle this. Will they embrace the glitch as the new meta for Any%? Or will they create new categories to accommodate runs with and without such advanced techniques?
"The beauty of speedrunning is its constant evolution. New glitches are found, old strats are refined. This zip glitch is just the latest chapter in Elden Ring's speedrun story."
The potential for discovery in Elden Ring is vast. Even with this new glitch, there are likely still optimizations to be found in the movement, enemy routing, and boss strategies. The current record is likely just the beginning of a new era for Elden Ring speedrunning. It’s an exciting time to be a fan of speedrun gaming!
Key Segments and Strats
While a full, frame-by-frame breakdown would require its own guide, we can highlight some critical moments and strategies observed in this 25:29 WR:
- Early Game Optimization: The initial stages are crucial for setting up the run. This likely involves acquiring specific starting weapons or builds that enable the zip glitch. Efficiently clearing early enemies and bosses is paramount.
- The Zip Glitch Execution: The core of the run revolves around the precise execution of the zip glitch. This likely involves precise positioning, timing of attacks or item usage, and understanding how enemy animations or environmental geometry interact with the player character. Mastery here saves minutes.
- Boss Skips and Strategies: With the ability to traverse the map rapidly, the runner can skip many optional bosses and even some required ones by using the glitch to bypass arenas or trigger specific events. For the bosses that must be fought, optimized boss fight strats are essential, likely focusing on high-damage powerful weapons or devastating spell combos.
- Final Boss Encounter: The final boss fight needs to be executed flawlessly and rapidly. This often involves specific damage windows and attack patterns that the runner has practiced extensively. The goal is to end the fight as quickly as possible to shave off precious seconds.
- Route Planning: The overall route is completely redesigned due to the zip glitch. It's no longer about a linear progression but about finding the most optimal sequence of glitch activations and mandatory encounters to reach the final boss in the shortest time. This demands a deep understanding of the game's world layout and trigger points.
This run showcases the pinnacle of gaming strategies and execution, pushing the boundaries of what's possible through sheer skill and exploit mastery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "zip glitch" in Elden Ring speedruns?
The "zip glitch" is a newly discovered exploit in Elden Ring that allows players to achieve extreme bursts of speed and vertical traversal, effectively skipping large portions of the game map and significantly reducing run times. It's a complex mechanic involving precise timing and possibly specific item or weapon interactions.
Is this zip glitch allowed in official Elden Ring speedrun categories?
Currently, the status is debated. The runner who set the new world record acknowledged that this glitch would likely be banned from standard leaderboard submissions due to its game-breaking nature. New categories might be created to accommodate runs using this exploit.
How much time does the zip glitch save?
In this specific 25:29 world record, the zip glitch is estimated to have saved several minutes, allowing the runner to bypass numerous areas and bosses that would typically take much longer to traverse or defeat.
What are the implications for Elden Ring speedrunning?
The zip glitch has fundamentally changed the Any% category. It forces a re-evaluation of speedrunning rules and strategies. We might see the emergence of new categories focusing on glitchless runs, runs with specific allowed glitches, or even entirely new categories based on this exploit.
Where can I watch this record-breaking run?
You can find the world record run embedded above. It's a must-watch for any Elden Ring or speedrunning enthusiast!
This incredible feat is a testament to the dedication and innovation within the speedrunning community. As players continue to explore the depths of Elden Ring, we can only anticipate more astonishing records and discoveries.
What are your thoughts on this new speedrun WR? Do you think the zip glitch should be allowed in official categories? Share your opinions in the comments below! Let's discuss the future of Elden Ring speedrunning and what amazing gaming achievements we'll see next. Join our Discord server to connect with fellow gamers and speedrunners!