SpeedRunners
{{Short description|2013 video game}}
{{for|the gaming discipline|Speedrunning}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = SpeedRunners
| image = SpeedRunners.jpg
| developer = DoubleDutch Games
| publisher = tinyBuild
| engine = Microsoft XNA
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|Microsoft Windows|Nintendo Switch|OS X|Linux|Xbox One|PlayStation 4|iOS}}
| genre = Platform
| released = {{Unbulleted list|Windows, OS X, Linux|19 April 2016|Xbox One|1 June 2017|PlayStation 4|5 July 2017|Nintendo Switch|23 January 2020}}
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| director =
| producer = Alex Nichiporchik
| designer = Casper van Est
| programmer = Gert-Jan Stolk
| artist = Tom Brien
| composer = SonicPicnic
}}
SpeedRunners is a multiplayer side-scrolling racing game developed by DoubleDutch Games and published by tinyBuild.{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Alex|title=Speedrunners is the Competitive Multiplayer Mario That Nintendo Should've Made|url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2015/05/22/speedrunners-is-the-competitive-multiplayer-mario-that-nintendo-shouldve-made|website=Kotaku|accessdate=16 December 2015|date=22 May 2015}}{{cite magazine|last1=Maiberg|first1=Emanuel|title=SpeedRunners review (Early Access)|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/speedrunners-review-early-access/|magazine=PC Gamer|accessdate=16 December 2015|date=31 July 2014}} Originally a free web browser game titled SpeedRunner and later an Xbox 360 game by the name SpeedRunner HD on Xbox Live Arcade,{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Adam|title=Hook, Line And Sprinter: SpeedRunners|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/06/24/hook-line-and-sprinter-speedrunner-hd/|website=Rock Paper Shotgun|accessdate=16 December 2015|date=24 June 2013}} SpeedRunners was released on Steam on 26 August 2013 into Steam Early Access, and as a full game on 19 April 2016.{{cite web|last1=Byrd|first1=Matthew|title=SpeedRunners Gets an Official Release Out of Early Access|url=http://twinfinite.net/2016/04/speedrunners-official-release/|website=Twinfinite|accessdate=19 April 2016|archive-date=19 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419205326/http://twinfinite.net/2016/04/speedrunners-official-release/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=SpeedRunners on Steam|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/207140/|publisher=Steam|accessdate=16 December 2015}} SpeedRunners was released on Xbox One in June 2017 as a Games with Gold title.{{cite web|last1=Nelson|first1=Major|title=SpeedRunners Is Now Available For Xbox One|url=https://majornelson.com/2017/05/31/speedrunners-is-now-available-for-xbox-one/ |accessdate=31 May 2017|date=31 May 2017}} A Nintendo Switch version was released on 23 January 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/08/speedrunners_is_finally_racing_onto_the_nintendo_switch|title=SpeedRunners Is Finally Racing Onto The Nintendo Switch|website=Nintendo Life|date=30 August 2019|accessdate=August 30, 2019}} It was recognized as an esport by the Electronic Sports League in July 2015.{{cite web|title=SpeedRunners 1on1 Summer Series #1 Europe|url=http://play.eslgaming.com/new-games/pc/news/258625|website=ESL Play|publisher=Electronic Sports League|accessdate=16 December 2015}} However, due to decreasing activity the SpeedRunners section was ended on 28 August 2016 when the final community cup was held.ESL, [https://play.eslgaming.com/speedrunners/europe/news/266913 "Time to say goodbye to our SpeedRunner section!"], 28 August 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
A sequel, developed by Fair Play Labs and titled SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed, was announced to release in 2025 and 2026 for PC and consoles respectively.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzuFnE9i-k4 |title=SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed {{!}} Announcement Trailer |date=2025-04-10 |last=tinyBuildGAMES |access-date=2025-05-02 |via=YouTube}}
Gameplay
File:SpeedRunners gameplay.jpg
SpeedRunners is played as a fast-paced side-scroller. Players compete with each other to outrun their opponents by using grappling hooks, power-ups, items, and interactive environments. The screen moves with whoever is currently in the lead.
Falling behind far enough off the screen results in being eliminated. After a player is eliminated, the screen will start to get smaller, making it harder to stay alive. If no one gets eliminated in a set time, the screen will automatically start to get smaller.
When all but one player is eliminated, the last player standing wins the round. The shrunken screen is restored to its original size, and another round starts after a countdown. A player must win 3 rounds to win the match altogether.
Players are able to pick Trails (which show when a player is Sprinting) and a Character. Additionally, most Characters come with 4 different Skins, which change their color. Players can also form teams of 2 players before starting a match. Teams need to win 4 rounds instead of 3, and players in teams also share their Sprinting Meter.
As the player progresses they earn experience based on their performance. Getting enough experience points causes the player to level up which unlocks new power-ups, levels, characters, and skins.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tinybuild.com/speedrunners|title=SpeedRunners - 4 Player Grappling Hook Elimination|website=tinyBuild GAMES - Indie Game Developer And Publisher|language=en|access-date=2019-02-13}} While most skins in the game are purely cosmetic, there is one mystery skin that hinders the players ability to play by giving them disadvantages in power ups and speed debuffs.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = (PC) 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/speedrunners/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=SpeedRunners for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2018-12-11}}
(NS) 71/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/speedrunners/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=SpeedRunners for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2021-09-24}}
| NLife = {{Rating|8|10}}{{cite web |title=SpeedRunners Review (Switch eShop) {{!}} Aces high |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/speedrunners |website=Nintendo Life |date=2 February 2020 |access-date=24 September 2021}}
}}
Kotaku{{'}}s Alex Jones termed SpeedRunners as "competitive multiplayer Mario that Nintendo should've made". PC Gamer{{'}}s Emanuel Maiberg said it to be a "fully realized idea", with the exception of "occasional bug and some rough art assets". Rock, Paper, Shotgun{{'}}s Ben Barrett praised the game's simplicity.{{cite news|last1=Barrett|first1=Ben|title=Gotta Go Fast: SpeedRunners|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/08/27/gotta-go-fast-speedrunners/|website=Rock Paper Shotgun|accessdate=16 December 2015|date=27 August 2013}}
SpeedRunners won the Gamer's Voice Award in the 2015 SXSW Gaming Award,{{cite web|title=SXSW Gaming Awards Highlights|url=http://www.sxsw.com/interactive/gaming-awards-highlights|publisher=South by Southwest|accessdate=16 December 2015}} the 2014 Best Multiplayer Game Award by Indie DB,{{cite web|title=Indie of the Year 2014 - Editors Choice feature - SpeedRunners|date=26 August 2013 |url=http://www.indiedb.com/games/speedrunners/features/indie-of-the-year-2014-editors-choice|publisher=Indie DB|accessdate=16 December 2015}} and was nominated for Best PC/Console Game at the 2012 Dutch Game Awards.{{cite web|title=Nominees Dutch Game Awards 2012|url=http://www.dutchgameawards.nl/2012en/nominees-dutch-game-awards-2012/|publisher=Dutch Game Awards|accessdate=16 December 2015|archive-date=20 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120174757/http://www.dutchgameawards.nl/2012en/nominees-dutch-game-awards-2012/|url-status=dead}}
The game received criticism from Brett Posner-Ferdman who reviewed the game on Nintendo Switch for Nintendo World report, who criticised the game for lacking story mode, having little content outside multiplayer and for locking content behind DLC.
Sequel
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|tinybuild.com/speedrunners}}
Category:Early access video games
Category:Side-scrolling platformers