Meet the Makers: Interviews with Speedrunner Game Designers and Developers
The world of speedrunning has become an integral part of the gaming community, with thousands of enthusiasts competing to complete games as quickly as possible. But behind every speedrun lies a team of skilled designers and developers who craft the experiences that these runners love so much. In this article, we’ll be meeting some of the talented individuals who make up the Speed Winner team, responsible for creating some of the most iconic and challenging speedrunning content out https://speed-winner.com/ there.
The Makers Behind Super Mario Bros.
Let’s start with one of the most iconic speedruns in existence – Super Mario Bros. This game has been a staple of the speedrunner community since its inception, with runners constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. We spoke to one of the designers behind this classic title, Alexey Pajitnov’s protégé and renowned developer, Shigeru Miyamoto.
Miyamoto: "When I was working on Super Mario Bros., our goal was to create a game that would appeal to as wide an audience as possible. We knew we had something special with Mario, but we wanted to make sure it stood the test of time."
We asked him about his thoughts on speedrunning and how he feels about players pushing the limits of what’s possible in his games.
Miyamoto: "I love seeing people challenge themselves like that. It’s a testament to our game design. We may not have anticipated all these crazy routes, but it shows we built something robust enough to withstand whatever someone throws at it."
One of the most interesting aspects of Super Mario Bros. is its intentionally broken nature, designed to encourage experimentation and exploration. This makes it the perfect canvas for speedrunners.
Breaking Boundaries with Celeste
Next up, we have Celeste – a game that has quickly become one of the most popular speedrunning titles in recent years. Developed by Matt Makes Games, this challenging platformer has drawn praise from both critics and players alike for its tight gameplay and clever level design. We spoke to co-founder Matt Thorson about what inspired him to create such a difficult experience.
Thorson: "When I was designing Celeste, my goal was to push the limits of what’s possible in platforming. I wanted to see how far we could stretch the genre and still make it feel challenging but rewarding."
We asked him about his thoughts on speedrunning and whether he’d ever intentionally design levels with speedrunners in mind.
Thorson: "While we didn’t set out specifically to create a speedrunner’s dream game, I do think our tight level design and precision jumping mechanics lend themselves well to fast runs. We’re actually really proud of the community that has developed around Celeste, including speedrunners."
The makers behind these titles often face challenges when balancing the needs of both casual players and hardcore speedrunners.
Balancing Speed and Accessibility
One of the biggest concerns for game designers is striking a balance between creating an enjoyable experience for all players while also catering to the more competitive crowd. We spoke with one industry veteran, renowned developer Markus "Notch" Persson (Minecraft), about his thoughts on this delicate issue.
Persson: "In Minecraft, I tried to create a game that would be engaging and rewarding for both casual players and hardcore builders/speedrunners. While speedrunning in Minecraft can be incredibly challenging due to the open-world nature of the game, our goal was always to make it accessible to everyone."
However, as with Celeste, sometimes this balance isn’t possible, leading designers to intentionally create content that caters specifically to a certain audience.
Designing for Speedrunners
One title that comes to mind when discussing speedrunning-friendly design is The Binding of Isaac. Developed by Edmund McMillen and Florian Himsl, this roguelike shooter has become synonymous with competitive play. We spoke to McMillen about his approach to creating an experience specifically geared towards speedrunners.
McMillen: "When designing The Binding of Isaac, we knew we were pushing the boundaries of what a game could be – procedurally generated levels, randomized item drops… it was all part of our vision for a more dynamic and unpredictable gameplay experience."
We asked him about his views on the role speedrunners play in shaping game design.
McMillen: "I think speedrunners are an integral part of our community, pushing us to improve and refine our games. If we hadn’t had the speedrunning community around Isaac from the start, I’m not sure we would have developed so many features that appeal specifically to them."
Speedrunners often bring a unique perspective to game design by highlighting areas where developers can improve or create more opportunities for competition.
The Importance of Community Feedback
Game designers and developers rely heavily on feedback from players, and speedrunners are no exception. The insights gained through watching runners complete games at incredible speeds have led to numerous improvements in title after title.
Innovative Design with Cuphead
One game that has benefited greatly from the community’s dedication is Cuphead – a side-scrolling shooter developed by Studio MDHR (Marcus Pavey and Chad Murray). With its challenging boss battles and razor-sharp gameplay, this title quickly became a favorite among speedrunners. We spoke to co-founder Pavey about his approach to creating an experience that would appeal to both casual players and hardcore competitors.
Pavey: "We wanted Cuphead to feel as tight and responsive as possible – a true test of skill for our players. Speedrunning, in particular, allows us to see exactly how well our game design holds up under pressure."
The influence of speedrunners can be seen throughout Cuphead’s development process.
Community Impact on Game Design
Looking at the games we’ve discussed so far, it becomes clear that speedrunners have played a significant role in shaping their respective designs. From the intentionally broken world of Super Mario Bros. to the procedurally generated levels of The Binding of Isaac and the challenging boss battles of Cuphead – every title has been influenced by this dedicated community.
As we conclude our journey through the Speed Winner team’s impressive roster, it becomes clear that game designers and developers are constantly inspired by speedrunners’ passion for pushing the limits of what’s possible. Whether through subtle design tweaks or bold new features, these talented individuals have made their mark on an entire genre.
The makers behind some of gaming’s most beloved titles have shared with us their experiences and insights into designing games that appeal to both casual players and hardcore speedrunners. By embracing this challenge and incorporating feedback from the community at large, we can expect future titles to build upon these ideas and create even more incredible experiences for all involved.