New speed runner tips?

2011-01-31 08:43:47 pm

Hey all, I've watched tons of speed runs and I've really tried getting into it myself but I just get so frustrated sometimes. I know there are parts in any game that you really want to do fast, but often times I'll practice and practice and even after tons of time invested I'll still mess up after I'm sure I've got it down. Just wondering what some veteran speed runners can offer on this topic. I've tried "putting the chips down", which is my way of saying "if I don't succeed at this upcoming tough part, I will erase my save and start over", but it only seems to frustrate me more and I seem to negate it. I really have no idea on what I can do to really crack down on those parts in games that are extra tough. I'd love some tips from revered speed runners on how they deal with failure and annoying/challenging parts of games to be able to run them well consistently.

Thread title:

PJ

Edit history:

PJ: 2011-01-31 09:19:09 pm

2011-01-31 09:16:49 pm

Is PJ

You can only get so good at certain tricks. Even after practice, it's natural to mess up. It happens to me a lot, and I'm sure it happens to others as well. It's all part of speed running. Smiley

You've got the right idea, though. Once you start having doubts about your run, kill it off and try again. It sucks, but you'll feel so much better about your finished product.

Edit: Hahaha. Sorry, FlamingMage! If it makes you feel better, your post is much more helpful than mine. ^_^

FlamingMage

2011-01-31 09:17:21 pm

I'm hardly revered, but I own several records.

For me, moving through difficulty is all about the angle of approach. I'll try to stay away from the silly motivational speaking stuff, but it helps me to think of the difficulty as a 3-dimensional problem in 3-dimensional space - in other words, to picture the entire scenario as it appears in game. Once I am certain that I know everything possible about the area, the terrain, the physics, the enemies, and so on, I being to probe the difficulty. If one "angle" finds immediate resistance, I move on. Changing tactics in a fight can be as simple as changing one cover transition, or switching weapons used, but when you begin to notice things stringing together more naturally, you can usually "feel" you're onto something.

Once I've found the best way to approach the beginning of the hard part, I slowly work inwards. Every difficult part of a game can be boiled down to one primary reason. For example, maybe its your health is too low. Maybe the glitch you've been trying is too difficult, because of one hard jump. Something along those lines. After identifying this proverbial kernel of difficulty, I can focus on either solving the problem or planning around it. Sometimes, avoidance is an option, and a good one. Other times, perhaps a subtle movement change or revision of route will relieve a little of the difficulty. Keep in mind how the game designers originally intended for you to pass through this part. That is usually the easiest way, and also the way that most of the play testers went down. Other approaches that require a bit more acrobatics or thinking may provide a different perspective on the scene than the intended one, which sometimes reveals weaknesses not visible from the main path.

If a section is hard (and I'm assuming you're talking about a battle or moving through an area) it can often be good to assume that the designers intended that spot to be challenging. Think objectively about why it is challenging. Are they looking to test a particular skill? Is there a skill or mechanic you have access too that might be applicable to this battle? No one designs games with intent on making them truly unbeatable (please no examples Wink

) so you are supposed to beat this section, somehow. If your speed doesn't allow you to beat it in the intended manner, then try to abuse your unique challenges. Surely you have access to some weapon or spell or something that may even the odds? Maybe some spot in the areas geometry is a little safer, or gives you a better angle.

Lastly, if enemies of any sort are involved in these challenging spots, try learning more about their AI. Why do they kill you? Is it because of you attacking them, or you moving, or a timer, or something else? The more you can predict or control your enemies, the more you can feel comfortable during a difficult encounter. If you know for a fact what they'll do when you do something, you can use that to your advantage. Even if the action itself isn't applicable, you've learned more about how the AI work in general, and more about other ways to manipulate them.

I'm sure others can answer this better, but there's my thoughts. If you told me more about the situation, I might be able to help more.

Also, patience and knowing when to walk away help.

Damn it PJ, I was almost done!

I'm hardly revered, but I own several records.

For me, moving through difficulty is all about the angle of approach. I'll try to stay away from the silly motivational speaking stuff, but it helps me to think of the difficulty as a 3-dimensional problem in 3-dimensional space - in other words, to picture the entire scenario as it appears in game. Once I am certain that I know everything possible about the area, the terrain, the physics, the enemies, and so on, I being to probe the difficulty. If one "angle" finds immediate resistance, I move on. Changing tactics in a fight can be as simple as changing one cover transition, or switching weapons used, but when you begin to notice things stringing together more naturally, you can usually "feel" you're onto something.

Once I've found the best way to approach the beginning of the hard part, I slowly work inwards. Every difficult part of a game can be boiled down to one primary reason. For example, maybe its your health is too low. Maybe the glitch you've been trying is too difficult, because of one hard jump. Something along those lines. After identifying this proverbial kernel of difficulty, I can focus on either solving the problem or planning around it. Sometimes, avoidance is an option, and a good one. Other times, perhaps a subtle movement change or revision of route will relieve a little of the difficulty. Keep in mind how the game designers originally intended for you to pass through this part. That is usually the easiest way, and also the way that most of the play testers went down. Other approaches that require a bit more acrobatics or thinking may provide a different perspective on the scene than the intended one, which sometimes reveals weaknesses not visible from the main path.

If a section is hard (and I'm assuming you're talking about a battle or moving through an area)  it can often be good to assume that the designers intended that spot to be challenging. Think objectively about why it is challenging. Are they looking to test a particular skill? Is there a skill or mechanic you have access too that might be applicable to this battle? No one designs games with intent on making them truly unbeatable (please no examples ;) ) so you are supposed to beat this section, somehow. If your speed doesn't allow you to beat it in the intended manner, then try to abuse your unique challenges. Surely you have access to some weapon or spell or something that may even the odds? Maybe some spot in the areas geometry is a little safer, or gives you a better angle.

Lastly, if enemies of any sort are involved in these challenging spots, try learning more about their AI. Why do they kill you? Is it because of you attacking them, or you moving, or a timer, or something else? The more you can predict or control your enemies, the more you can feel comfortable during a difficult encounter. If you know for a fact what they'll do when you do something, you can use that to your advantage. Even if the action itself isn't applicable, you've learned more about how the AI work in general, and more about other ways to manipulate them.

I'm sure others can answer this better, but there's my thoughts. If you told me more about the situation, I might be able to help more.

Also, patience and knowing when to walk away help.

Damn it PJ, I was almost done!

Paraxade

2011-01-31 09:39:37 pm

For me personally, I can pull off high quality runs but I tend to have either incredibly low consistency or incredibly high standards, maybe both, and my norm is usually easily going through hundreds of attempts for one run/segment... which sucks, but I always get a good run in the end. The most important thing is to just keep trying and to be patient. If you're having trouble with one particular spot, then take a break from attempts to practice it. Once you have everything down, after you've pulled an optimal run through every individual section, then you know for sure that you can do everything and you can do the full run if you just keep trying long enough.

Keep at it and good luck.

stanemac12

2011-01-31 10:07:41 pm

Really appreciate the responses thus far. I'm still getting frustrated really easily though. The particular game I'm trying to speedrun at the moment is particularly infuriating. Its the type of game where nothing you acquire in game will help you with challenges in the game, its kind of like super mario bros, where you are left to fend for yourself based on what they give you from the start of the game. I just can't seem to accept that failure is an option. I would love to get this live at some point but any more tips for some newbie speed runners would be fantastic. Again, thanks for those who have posted thus far. Its possible I'm just no speed runner material but I still have a good time trying.

andrewg

Edit history:

andrewg: 2011-01-31 10:24:52 pm

andrewg: 2011-01-31 10:24:09 pm

andrewg: 2011-01-31 10:21:20 pm

andrewg: 2011-01-31 10:21:00 pm

andrewg: 2011-01-31 10:16:20 pm

andrewg: 2011-01-31 10:15:24 pm

2011-01-31 10:14:40 pm

Hi! I'm andrewg!

I have incredibly high standards for the most part, but I run very short games: Super Mario Bros series.

My main advice is just... practice until you are capable of doing things (like certain tricks) near perfect, and from there try and mimic your past performance. Eventually you do succeed, but it does take some longer than others, there's no real way to know until you try speedrunning a bunch yourself.

When I start to get good at speedrunning a game, I always compare all my attempts with my overall best attempt I've ever had. In my mind I say something to myself along the lines of "I've done this before, this same situation, so I should be able to do it again" and then I succeed when I'm very determined to get a great run.

The goal isn't to be perfect, the goal is to want to improve yourself. With this in mind, you can make great runs. Finish bad runs, finish mediocre runs. If you're improving on your own times, you're closer to your goal. When people see that they are making improvement, they will generally have more confidence and will be more determined to get a great run.

Like right now, my main concentration is speedrunning Mike Tyson's Punch Out! to try and beat Mike Tyson in a near world record time. I started off with just barely being able to beat him, then being able to beat him in round 2 consistently, and now nearing consistency in beating him in round 1. My best time is 2:57 which is pretty good, but I say it's still not great. If I get 2:56 a week from now, I'll be happy to see that I'm at least improving, even if it's extremely small.

I have incredibly high standards for the most part, but I run very short games: Super Mario Bros series.

My main advice is just... practice until you are capable of doing things (like certain tricks) near perfect, and from there try and mimic your past performance. Eventually you do succeed, but it does take some longer than others, there's no real way to know until you try speedrunning a bunch yourself.

When I start to get good at speedrunning a game, I always compare all my attempts with my overall best attempt I've ever had. In my mind I say something to myself along the lines of "I've done this before, this same situation, so I should be able to do it again" and then I succeed when I'm very determined to get a great run.

The goal isn't to be perfect, the goal is to want to improve yourself. With this in mind, you can make great runs. Finish bad runs, finish mediocre runs. If you're improving on your own times, you're closer to your goal. When people see that they are making improvement, they will generally have more confidence and will be more determined to get a great run.

Like right now, my main concentration is speedrunning Mike Tyson's Punch Out! to try and beat Mike Tyson in a near world record time. I started off with just barely being able to beat him, then being able to beat him in round 2 consistently, and now nearing consistency in beating him in round 1. My best time is 2:57 which is pretty good, but I say it's still not great. If I get 2:56 a week from now, I'll be happy to see that I'm at least improving, even if it's extremely small.

Sir VG

2011-01-31 10:35:22 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

The best advice I have for a starter is to actually begin with a game you know and love. If you enjoy playing a game and are at least halfway knowledgeable about it, you'll be able to have a more enjoyable experience and do a better job at it. If you pick a game to start with that "sounds cool" or has a bounty on it, it's not a good place to start - more often then not you'll be miserable. It made my first few speed runs, while not that good compared to what's possible now, a more enjoyable (and tolerable) experience.

Heidrage

2011-01-31 11:19:17 pm

Willing to teach you the impossible

YAY FOR ADVICE TIME!!!

Press the "reset" button. No really, do it. it helps. Lol.

For real, everything said above is great advice. But it all does depend on the game that is being played. Example of this is my primary game of choice, Super C. This game is VERY strait forward and does not change. But what is preventing me from the run being completed is random spawns. There is nothing I can do to avoid this issue. I can turn around or stop to shoot them, but that would yield a slower time. So I press the reset button and try again, and again, and again... I think you got it. But with other games, another I am working on Mega Man X2, there really is no randomness. Just keep at it and do your best. Like Andrew said, keep the small improvements going. In time you will be getting exactly what you want, or as close to it as you can.

As for the frustration, as it builds up I tend to perform worse. I take breaks, play a different game, just do something else that takes your mind off the subject completely. Depending on you will be how long it takes to cool off. I run attempts for about 1-2 hours at a time, then take a good long break. I can come back to it after about 2 hours, but I usually don't touch it again till the next day. On that note, TAKE BREAKS!!! Like a week or so off. Don't touch or think about the game at all. This will allow you to come back to it with a fresh mind, and be more willing to take other options into consideration easier. Allowing you to try new or modified strats.

Depending on the game, look around at some videos for some fresh ideas. You never know what Let's Play or any other video might have hiding in it. You might just find that one spot that is giving you trouble in a vid where they pass it faster/easier than you have ever thought. Read FAQ or any other source of information you can.

Hope this helps Wink

Just remember to press reset <3

YAY FOR ADVICE TIME!!!

Press the "reset" button. No really, do it. it helps. Lol.

For real, everything said above is great advice. But it all does depend on the game that is being played. Example of this is my primary game of choice, Super C. This game is VERY strait forward and does not change. But what is preventing me from the run being completed is random spawns. There is nothing I can do to avoid this issue. I can turn around or stop to shoot them, but that would yield a slower time. So I press the reset button and try again, and again, and again... I think you got it. But with other games, another I am working on Mega Man X2, there really is no randomness. Just keep at it and do your best. Like Andrew said, keep the small improvements going. In time you will be getting exactly what you want, or as close to it as you can.

As for the frustration, as it builds up I tend to perform worse. I take breaks, play a different game, just do something else that takes your mind off the subject completely. Depending on you will be how long it takes to cool off. I run attempts for about 1-2 hours at a time, then take a good long break. I can come back to it after about 2 hours, but I usually don't touch it again till the next day. On that note, TAKE BREAKS!!! Like a week or so off. Don't touch or think about the game at all. This will allow you to come back to it with a fresh mind, and be more willing to take other options into consideration easier. Allowing you to try new or modified strats.

Depending on the game, look around at some videos for some fresh ideas. You never know what Let's Play or any other video might have hiding in it. You might just find that one spot that is giving you trouble in a vid where they pass it faster/easier than you have ever thought. Read FAQ or any other source of information you can.

Hope this helps ;)

[hidden]Just remember to press reset <3[/hidden]

dunnius

2011-02-01 12:51:54 am

Intruding N313 and F014

If you can, you should test and practice segments in an emulator. It makes it easier to focus on a segment that you are having trouble with without having to bother with all the stuff before it. Also, it doesn't hurt to check for game strategies on TASVideos.org

Vugmer

2011-02-01 12:22:06 pm

Cigar Man

Quote from stanemac12:

Hey all, I've watched tons of speed runs and I've really tried getting into it myself but I just get so frustrated sometimes. I know there are parts in any game that you really want to do fast, but often times I'll practice and practice and even after tons of time invested I'll still mess up after I'm sure I've got it down. Just wondering what some veteran speed runners can offer on this topic. I've tried "putting the chips down", which is my way of saying "if I don't succeed at this upcoming tough part, I will erase my save and start over", but it only seems to frustrate me more and I seem to negate it. I really have no idea on what I can do to really crack down on those parts in games that are extra tough. I'd love some tips from revered speed runners on how they deal with failure and annoying/challenging parts of games to be able to run them well consistently.

Hey, here are some tips: stop speedrunning altogether and use the hours and hours of saved time to

Earn more money.
Get more pussy.
Improve physical fitness.
Improve real-life relationships.

[quote="stanemac12"]Hey all, I've watched tons of speed runs and I've really tried getting into it myself but I just get so frustrated sometimes. I know there are parts in any game that you really want to do fast, but often times I'll practice and practice and even after tons of time invested I'll still mess up after I'm sure I've got it down. Just wondering what some veteran speed runners can offer on this topic. I've tried "putting the chips down", which is my way of saying "if I don't succeed at this upcoming tough part, I will erase my save and start over",  but it only seems to frustrate me more and I seem to negate it. I really have no idea on what I can do to really crack down on those parts in games that are extra tough. I'd love some tips from revered speed runners on how they deal with failure and annoying/challenging parts of games to be able to run them well consistently. [/quote]

Hey, here are some tips: stop speedrunning altogether and use the hours and hours of saved time to

Earn more money.
Get more pussy.
Improve physical fitness.
Improve real-life relationships.

tjp7154

2011-02-01 02:13:36 pm

#Casual

Making a speedrun will take a lot of effort, time, and resources to do. You will be tempted to just forget about it or stop in the middle and give up. If you are new to speedrunning, start with a small project. One example is a casual run. Also, take a couple of days to just try tricks in the game you want to speedrun. Have fun with it. Don't get into the project thinking "Other people are so much better than me. It won't be any good" or anything like that.

Eisenefaust

2011-02-01 03:15:25 pm

SS Any% FF2 GBA

Quote from Vugmer:

Hey, here are some tips: stop speedrunning altogether...
Improve physical fitness.
Improve real-life relationships.

I found this funny since Vugmer also posted this

Quote from Vugmer:

I've thought about this too. Accomplishing something difficult (for example, a speedrun) probably releases some feel-good chemicals in the brain. A person probably gets this same type of feeling after giving a public speech or after winning an MMA fight. These things also provide a sense of purpose and drive. Sometimes, when I am in speedrunning mode and running a certain game, running the game occupies my thoughts most of the time, and I feel very driven, focused, and goal oriented and have a specific purpose.
.
.
.
There's also the community aspect of speedrunning. If you produce speedruns on a regular basis, you're part of a niche group that you can interact with (and possibly get praise and validation from the group).

I've gotten so angry while speedrunning that I've thrown a chair across the room as hard as I possibly could. Maybe every once in a while, I (and other people) like being so angry that I feel like the Hulk.

Quite the dichotomy. And you clearly give an example where you improve physical fitness Tongue

(Throwing a chair is a good workout LOL!)

[quote="Vugmer"]Hey, here are some tips: stop speedrunning altogether...
Improve physical fitness.
Improve real-life relationships.
[/quote]
I found this funny since Vugmer also posted [url=http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/what_do_you_enjoy_about_speed_running_37.html]this[/url]
[quote="Vugmer"]I've thought about this too.  Accomplishing something difficult (for example, a speedrun) probably releases some feel-good chemicals in the brain.  A person probably gets this same type of feeling after giving a public speech or after winning an MMA fight.  These things also provide a sense of purpose and drive.  Sometimes, when I am in speedrunning mode and running a certain game, running the game occupies my thoughts most of the time, and I feel very driven, focused, and goal oriented and have a specific purpose.
.
.
.
There's also the community aspect of speedrunning.  If you produce speedruns on a regular basis, you're part of a niche group that you can interact with (and possibly get praise and validation from the group).

I've gotten so angry while speedrunning that I've thrown a chair across the room as hard as I possibly could.  Maybe every once in a while, I (and other people) like being so angry that I feel like the Hulk.[/quote]
Quite the dichotomy. And you clearly give an example where you improve physical fitness :P (Throwing a chair is a good workout LOL!)

andrewg

2011-02-01 05:47:43 pm

Hi! I'm andrewg!

Vugmer, since when have you become tiki? Wink

Vugmer

2011-02-01 06:43:03 pm

Cigar Man

Quote from Eisenefaust:

Quote from Vugmer:

Hey, here are some tips: stop speedrunning altogether...
Improve physical fitness.
Improve real-life relationships.

I found this funny since Vugmer also posted this

Quote from Vugmer:

I've thought about this too. Accomplishing something difficult (for example, a speedrun) probably releases some feel-good chemicals in the brain. A person probably gets this same type of feeling after giving a public speech or after winning an MMA fight. These things also provide a sense of purpose and drive. Sometimes, when I am in speedrunning mode and running a certain game, running the game occupies my thoughts most of the time, and I feel very driven, focused, and goal oriented and have a specific purpose.
.
.
.
There's also the community aspect of speedrunning. If you produce speedruns on a regular basis, you're part of a niche group that you can interact with (and possibly get praise and validation from the group).

I've gotten so angry while speedrunning that I've thrown a chair across the room as hard as I possibly could. Maybe every once in a while, I (and other people) like being so angry that I feel like the Hulk.

Quite the dichotomy. And you clearly give an example where you improve physical fitness Tongue

(Throwing a chair is a good workout LOL!)

How dare you expose something contradictory in what I write.

[quote="Eisenefaust"][quote="Vugmer"]Hey, here are some tips: stop speedrunning altogether...
Improve physical fitness.
Improve real-life relationships.
[/quote]
I found this funny since Vugmer also posted [url=http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/what_do_you_enjoy_about_speed_running_37.html]this[/url]
[quote="Vugmer"]I've thought about this too.  Accomplishing something difficult (for example, a speedrun) probably releases some feel-good chemicals in the brain.  A person probably gets this same type of feeling after giving a public speech or after winning an MMA fight.  These things also provide a sense of purpose and drive.  Sometimes, when I am in speedrunning mode and running a certain game, running the game occupies my thoughts most of the time, and I feel very driven, focused, and goal oriented and have a specific purpose.
.
.
.
There's also the community aspect of speedrunning.  If you produce speedruns on a regular basis, you're part of a niche group that you can interact with (and possibly get praise and validation from the group).

I've gotten so angry while speedrunning that I've thrown a chair across the room as hard as I possibly could.  Maybe every once in a while, I (and other people) like being so angry that I feel like the Hulk.[/quote]
Quite the dichotomy. And you clearly give an example where you improve physical fitness :P (Throwing a chair is a good workout LOL!)
[/quote]

How dare you expose something contradictory in what I write.

Eisenefaust

2011-02-01 06:51:16 pm

SS Any% FF2 GBA

Oh I dare to tread where angels dread Cheesy

dunnius

2011-02-01 07:34:22 pm

Intruding N313 and F014

I wonder if my avatar dreads to tread there Cheesy

sinister1

2011-02-01 07:39:30 pm

sinister1

so pro u don't even know

Quote from stanemac12:

Hey all, I've watched tons of speed runs and I've really tried getting into it myself but I just get so frustrated sometimes. I know there are parts in any game that you really want to do fast, but often times I'll practice and practice and even after tons of time invested I'll still mess up after I'm sure I've got it down. Just wondering what some veteran speed runners can offer on this topic. I've tried "putting the chips down", which is my way of saying "if I don't succeed at this upcoming tough part, I will erase my save and start over", but it only seems to frustrate me more and I seem to negate it. I really have no idea on what I can do to really crack down on those parts in games that are extra tough. I'd love some tips from revered speed runners on how they deal with failure and annoying/challenging parts of games to be able to run them well consistently.

It sounds like you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself during difficult parts of the run. You want to do the opposite if you can, and reduce feelings of pressure and anxiety/nervousness. Having the right mindset and attitude toward speed running can really help. Play to win, instead of playing not to lose. Let me explain.

If you set your standards ridiculously high like some runners above have mentioned then it can actually reduce pressure. This is because even if a few things go wrong you will start to relax since there is less pressure to be perfect since the run is already not perfect.

I will give you an example. Set a pace for a game, i.e. I need to be at this point at 3 minutes, this point at 6 minutes, etc. Now subtract 30 seconds from that, so you actually start your run at 30 seconds behind pace. Note that you probably need to adjust the numbers based on what run you are doing.

If you do this you can negate some of the pressure you might feel from being ahead of or on target with your actual pace which generally has the effect of intensifying pressure and anxiety. It is a way of tricking yourself into being relaxed since you are doing "bad" anyway because you are so far behind pace. It makes it feel more like a practice run and who feels any pressure during practice?? This tends to work better with games that have breaks in the action since you need time to calculate how much time you have gained/lost compared to your pace without it becoming a distraction or breaking your concentration too much. The idea is to just keep grinding the number down from -30 to 0 and focus on that instead of things like "omg this run is going amazing I better not mess it up." Instead you will be thinking "man I am behind my pace, I need to step up my game to catch up!" Lastly this helps in dealing with runs that don't pan out because you are less disappointed since you were "not doing that well anyway."

If you think about sports there is sometimes more pressure on the team that is winning than the team that is losing because they have to protect their lead and not choke because how foolish would they look if they did that? Like in football when they play prevent defense at the end of the game. They are essentially playing not to lose, where as the team that is behind is playing to win because they have no other option. Bottom line, if you feel like you are always behind then you will be playing to win, instead of playing not to lose.

[quote="stanemac12"]Hey all, I've watched tons of speed runs and I've really tried getting into it myself but I just get so frustrated sometimes. I know there are parts in any game that you really want to do fast, but often times I'll practice and practice and even after tons of time invested I'll still mess up after I'm sure I've got it down. Just wondering what some veteran speed runners can offer on this topic. I've tried "putting the chips down", which is my way of saying [i][b]"if I don't succeed at this upcoming tough part, I will erase my save and start over",  but it only seems to frustrate me more and I seem to negate it.[/b][/i] I really have no idea on what I can do to really crack down on those parts in games that are extra tough. I'd love some tips from revered speed runners on how they deal with failure and annoying/challenging parts of games to be able to run them well consistently. [/quote]
It sounds like you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself during difficult parts of the run. You want to do the opposite if you can, and reduce feelings of pressure and anxiety/nervousness. Having the right mindset and attitude toward speed running can really help. Play to win, instead of playing not to lose. Let me explain.

If you set your standards ridiculously high like some runners above have mentioned then it can actually reduce pressure. This is because even if a few things go wrong you will start to relax since there is less pressure to be perfect since the run is already not perfect.

I will give you an example. Set a pace for a game, i.e. I need to be at this point at 3 minutes, this point at 6 minutes, etc. Now subtract 30 seconds from that, so you actually start your run at 30 seconds behind pace. Note that you probably need to adjust the numbers based on what run you are doing.

If you do this you can negate some of the pressure you might feel from being ahead of or on target with your actual pace which generally has the effect of intensifying pressure and anxiety. It is a way of tricking yourself into being relaxed since you are doing "bad" anyway because you are so far behind pace. It makes it feel more like a practice run and who feels any pressure during practice?? This tends to work better with games that have breaks in the action since you need time to calculate how much time you have gained/lost compared to your pace without it becoming a distraction or breaking your concentration too much. The idea is to just keep grinding the number down from -30 to 0 and focus on that instead of things like "omg this run is going amazing I better not mess it up." Instead you will be thinking "man I am behind my pace, I need to step up my game to catch up!" Lastly this helps in dealing with runs that don't pan out because you are less disappointed since you were "not doing that well anyway."

If you think about sports there is sometimes more pressure on the team that is winning than the team that is losing because they have to protect their lead and not choke because how foolish would they look if they did that? Like in football when they play prevent defense at the end of the game. They are essentially playing not to lose, where as the team that is behind is playing to win because they have no other option. Bottom line, if you feel like you are always behind then you will be playing to win, instead of playing not to lose.

Zyre

Edit history:

Zyre: 2011-02-01 07:43:43 pm

2011-02-01 07:41:56 pm

The Speedrunning Teacher

tl;dr of sinister1's post:

-Set goals.
-Don't stress if you don't meet those goals right away (or even soonish, in some cases)
-Ultimately, have fun and get in the mindset to win.

EDIT:
Also, Check out this thread as there is a fair amount of advice on it as well.

sinister1

2011-02-02 09:29:30 am

sinister1

so pro u don't even know

Quote from Zyre:

tl;dr of sinister1's post:

-Set goals.
-Don't stress if you don't meet those goals right away (or even soonish, in some cases)
-Ultimately, have fun and get in the mindset to win.

EDIT:
Also, Check out this thread as there is a fair amount of advice on it as well.

lol, thanks Zyre, I was rambling pretty bad there. Although I would summarize it slightly differently:

-Set lofty goals
-Develop a pacing system for your game and exploit it to your advantage mentally
-Play to win (positive aggressive attitude)
-Don't play not to lose (negative fearful attitude)

KnifeRun

2011-02-02 11:14:56 am

more keys then pablo escobar

if you ever find yourself hitting a peek then dropping. put the game away and come back to it. some minds do get bored. no matter how much that mind enjoys doing something.

when you come back to it. you might pull off something you were not expecting.

every mind needs rest. beyond sleeping.

neskamikaze

2011-02-02 11:20:46 am

One thing I have to say is that if you keep killing runs off before the end without seeing some of them through, once you get near the end on a good run you will get really nervous. If you get to a certain point in the run, especially if you're just starting, finish the run out so you stay practiced at the ending parts. You'd hate to have a great run ruined by the final stage (though it almost definitely will happen at least once). Also, getting frustrated is normal. It's likely going to happen no matter what you do. I'm on break right now.

Heidrage

2011-02-02 11:27:01 am

Willing to teach you the impossible

Quote from neskamikaze:

I'm on break right now.

Same. But don't mean I am not planning others. I am just not playing anything atm. My regular stream monsters may notice the lack of stream because of this. Sorry all.

RaneofSOTN

2011-02-02 12:12:13 pm

I want off the ride....

I am going to say this because well it was pretty much true of the FF4 SS i did at the marathon (i didn't die, it was official SS...)

1. Practice the game, know the game, breathe the game (obviously stated).

2. Get comfortable with the game, find something that can distract you then jump back into the game. If you can handle distractions then you can handle anything you drop onto your self. Phone Rang? This can be a run killer if you didn't plan for it (muted/vibrate/etc), but if you practice with distractions this just might be a small slip up.

3. Troll the game. Make the game hate your ever living guts. If you can fake the game out and make it loop endlessly then do it! if you know you have free time mess around. TROLL the game, if you take it serious 24/7 you wont make it out alive. I practically almost burned out on SD3 during the Golemsx2 fight but cause i every so often just played forward and had a bit of fun, or joked with the battle it got to be bareable.

4. Stream! I donno how many other people will agree to this but streaming can be helpful! Maybe your not seeing that tight optimization some guy might point out? Maybe you aren't as good as fending off distractions, chat will help you get used to it! Maybe you aren't sure what your doing but it works! Taking the time to explain something can help. I know i helped stanski at the marathon cause I got him to explain the Oil Ocean 2 or whatever skip. And after he sat down and explained it to me his success rate shot up another 20%!

5. Berate your perfect performance. I dont mean to be a downer but we aren't all perfect (except maybe Heidman and that japanese SM runner who i can't recall his name right now). Drop the bomb, criticize EVERYTHING! tear your run apart, build it back up and then tear it down again. If you know it all, its all great.

I am going to say this because well it was pretty much true of the FF4 SS i did at the marathon (i didn't die, it was official SS...)

1. Practice the game, know the game, breathe the game (obviously stated).

2. Get comfortable with the game, find something that can distract you then jump back into the game. If you can handle distractions then you can handle anything you drop onto your self. Phone Rang? This can be a run killer if you didn't plan for it (muted/vibrate/etc), but if you practice with distractions this just might be a small slip up.

3. Troll the game. Make the game hate your ever living guts. If you can fake the game out and make it loop endlessly then do it! if you know you have free time mess around. TROLL the game, if you take it serious 24/7 you wont make it out alive. I practically almost burned out on SD3 during the Golemsx2 fight but cause i every so often just played forward and had a bit of fun, or joked with the battle it got to be bareable.

4. Stream! I donno how many other people will agree to this but streaming can be helpful! Maybe your not seeing that tight optimization some guy might point out? Maybe you aren't as good as fending off distractions, chat will help you get used to it! Maybe you aren't sure what your doing but it works! Taking the time to explain something can help. I know i helped stanski at the marathon cause I got him to explain the Oil Ocean 2 or whatever skip. And after he sat down and explained it to me his success rate shot up another 20%!

5. Berate your perfect performance. I dont mean to be a downer but we aren't all perfect (except maybe Heidman and that japanese SM runner who i can't recall his name right now). Drop the bomb, criticize EVERYTHING! tear your run apart, build it back up and then tear it down again. If you know it all, its all great.

Fed981

2011-02-02 02:03:05 pm

About streaming, I had one question : how much data do you upload while streaming? Because I'm limited to 4GB per day.

Zyre

Edit history:

Zyre: 2011-02-02 02:06:53 pm

2011-02-02 02:03:25 pm

The Speedrunning Teacher

Quote from RaneofSOTN:

4. Stream! I donno how many other people will agree to this but streaming can be helpful! Maybe your not seeing that tight optimization some guy might point out? Maybe you aren't as good as fending off distractions, chat will help you get used to it! Maybe you aren't sure what your doing but it works! Taking the time to explain something can help. I know i helped stanski at the marathon cause I got him to explain the Oil Ocean 2 or whatever skip. And after he sat down and explained it to me his success rate shot up another 20%!

I'll testify to this as well. In my last streaming session, it was pointed out how I could improve a boss fight by one simple little action. And again later that same stream it was pointed out how a slight change in boss order makes the run (at least a little) better.

Quote from Fed981:

About streaming, I had one question : how much data do you upload while streaming? Because I'm limited to 4GB per day.

I'm no guru of data feeds, so I don't know the answer. But I do know that it depends on the quality. Higher quality = more data.

[quote="RaneofSOTN"]4. Stream! I donno how many other people will agree to this but streaming can be helpful! Maybe your not seeing that tight optimization some guy might point out? Maybe you aren't as good as fending off distractions, chat will help you get used to it! Maybe you aren't sure what your doing but it works! Taking the time to explain something can help. I know i helped stanski at the marathon cause I got him to explain the Oil Ocean 2 or whatever skip. And after he sat down and explained it to me his success rate shot up another 20%![/quote]
I'll testify to this as well.  In my last streaming session, it was pointed out how I could improve a boss fight by one simple little action.  And again later that same stream it was pointed out how a slight change in boss order makes the run (at least a little) better.

[quote="Fed981"]About streaming, I had one question : how much data do you upload while streaming? Because I'm limited to 4GB per day.[/quote]
I'm no guru of data feeds, so I don't know the answer.  But I do know that it depends on the quality.  Higher quality = more data.