RPG Limit Break 2017 - Game Submission Thread (VODs posted)

Drumboardist

Edit history:

Drumboardist: 2017-01-10 06:43:44 pm

Drumboardist: 2017-01-10 06:42:59 pm

Drumboardist: 2016-12-27 07:31:01 pm

Drumboardist: 2016-12-27 07:27:59 pm

Drumboardist: 2016-12-27 07:14:56 pm

Drumboardist: 2016-12-27 07:08:53 pm

Drumboardist: 2016-12-27 07:07:29 pm

Drumboardist: 2016-12-27 07:05:42 pm

Drumboardist: 2016-12-27 07:05:20 pm

Drumboardist: 2016-12-27 07:04:37 pm

2016-12-27 06:59:52 pm

Edit -- Updated to include a run of the *other* character in the game, plus explaining marathon-safety, and including another donation incentive (which piggy-backs off of a previous incentive).

Game Name: Cadash
System: Originally arcade, played on Sega Genesis
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 50m
Ending/Bonus Estimate: Nothin' I can think of, sadly.

Pros/Cons: Cadash started out in the arcades as an action/RPG side-scrolling platform fighter. But then was ported to the TG-16 and Genesis, and was neutered for either console. I play the Genesis, which is big and colorful and...well, you grind to max level in the first 20 minutes of the game, so if you wanna rattle off donations or simply make fun of the guy playing the game (that's me!), then go for it. Also, the optional boss is "The Kraken". UNLEASH (Cutscene to Gameplay ratio is, like, 95% gameplay, 5% "I get it, please stop talking".)

The variation between the Fighter and Wizard is that the Fighter is all "I SMASH NAO" versus the Wizard, who can't take a hit very well, so he has to use magical throwing daggers to fly all around him like he's a drunkard at a carnival sideshow and can't find the woman strapped to the big bullseye, so he just starts blindly hurlin' everywhere. (Also he pokes things with a staff.)

Pros -- Unique RPG/Fighter/Platformer(?) hybrid.
Cons -- Safest (and fastest) way to victory in the game is grinding up a lot of levels in the first 15 minutes of the game.
Marathon Safety -- You can literally spend about 90 seconds to grind up enough money to buy another continue (of which it's doubtful I'd use ALL of them, as they fully restore your HP/Mana). Soooo...pretty safe.

Donation Incentive Offers: Character choice between the Fighter or Wizard, Naming Right (3-character limit, I wish I was joking), donation incentive to kill an optional boss, Save/Abandon the Mermaid (after killing the optional boss, you can...*not* save the sacrificial woman if you wish. How cruel!)!
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/drumboardist/v/110301028 -- Wizard!
https://www.twitch.tv/drumboardist/v/113573306 -- Fighter!

Game Name: EarthBound
System: SNES
Category: Any% Glitchless
Gameplay Estimate: 5h:00m
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:15 (post final boss and credits)
Pros/Cons: Everyone else is gettin' in on the Earthbound Co-op or Relay submissions, so I'll throw one out there too. I'm certainly the slowest of the runners submitting, but if it helps, my early-game (non-manipulation Onett) is right on point with everyone else's in races, and my late-game splits are actually REALLY close to the WR splits, so I could hold my own in a couple of places. (Just...please, please no Pond/Threed/Mole cave. Guys, please no. It hurts.) If it were catastrophic and I were the *only* runner, then it would be funny AND sad. Also, my estimate is +30m on, like, everyone else, 'cause that's how I roll. Slower.
Donation Incentive Offers: Naming characters (Ness, Paula, Jeff, Poo [5 characters each]), Naming the favorite thing, dog, and favorite food (6 characters), and naming the player (24 characters).
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/drumboardist/v/106996781

Edit -- Updated to include a run of the *other* character in the game, plus explaining marathon-safety, and including another donation incentive (which piggy-backs off of a previous incentive).

Game Name: Cadash
System: Originally arcade, played on Sega Genesis
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 50m
Ending/Bonus Estimate: Nothin' I can think of, sadly.

Pros/Cons: Cadash started out in the arcades as an action/RPG side-scrolling platform fighter.  But then was ported to the TG-16 and Genesis, and was neutered for either console.  I play the Genesis, which is big and colorful and...well, you grind to max level in the first 20 minutes of the game, so if you wanna rattle off donations or simply make fun of the guy playing the game (that's me!), then go for it.  Also, the optional boss is "The Kraken".  UNLEASH  (Cutscene to Gameplay ratio is, like, 95% gameplay, 5% "I get it, please stop talking".)

The variation between the Fighter and Wizard is that the Fighter is all "I SMASH NAO" versus the Wizard, who can't take a hit very well, so he has to use magical throwing daggers to fly all around him like he's a drunkard at a carnival sideshow and can't find the woman strapped to the big bullseye, so he just starts blindly hurlin' everywhere.  (Also he pokes things with a staff.)

Pros -- Unique RPG/Fighter/Platformer(?) hybrid.
Cons -- Safest (and fastest) way to victory in the game is grinding up a lot of levels in the first 15 minutes of the game.
Marathon Safety -- You can literally spend about 90 seconds to grind up enough money to buy another continue (of which it's doubtful I'd use ALL of them, as they fully restore your HP/Mana).  Soooo...pretty safe.

Donation Incentive Offers: Character choice between the Fighter or Wizard, Naming Right (3-character limit, I wish I was joking), donation incentive to kill an optional boss, Save/Abandon the Mermaid (after killing the optional boss, you can...*not* save the sacrificial woman if you wish.  How cruel!)!
Sample run video: [url]https://www.twitch.tv/drumboardist/v/110301028[/url] -- Wizard!
[url]https://www.twitch.tv/drumboardist/v/113573306[/url] -- Fighter!

Game Name: EarthBound
System: SNES
Category: Any% Glitchless
Gameplay Estimate: 5h:00m
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:15 (post final boss and credits)
Pros/Cons: Everyone else is gettin' in on the Earthbound Co-op or Relay submissions, so I'll throw one out there too.  I'm certainly the slowest of the runners submitting, but if it helps, my early-game (non-manipulation Onett) is right on point with everyone else's in races, and my late-game splits are actually REALLY close to the WR splits, so I could hold my own in a couple of places.  (Just...please, please no Pond/Threed/Mole cave.  Guys, please no.  It hurts.)  If it were catastrophic and I were the *only* runner, then it would be funny AND sad.  Also, my estimate is +30m on, like, everyone else, 'cause that's how I roll.  Slower.
Donation Incentive Offers: Naming characters (Ness, Paula, Jeff, Poo [5 characters each]), Naming the favorite thing, dog, and favorite food (6 characters), and naming the player (24 characters).
Sample run video:  https://www.twitch.tv/drumboardist/v/106996781

Keizaron

Edit history:

Keizaron: 2016-12-28 10:41:31 am

Keizaron: 2016-12-28 03:35:55 am

2016-12-28 03:33:16 am

Game Name: Mega Man Battle Network 2
System: GBA played on a GBP
Category: Any% US
Gameplay Estimate: 2:30:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:05 (show off a Japanese-exclusive glitch that trivializes fights even further)
Pros/Cons: Biggest pro is the entire game is under my control. Using RNG manipulation, I'm able to get the drops I need and finish fights in a quick, efficient and pleasing manner. Biggest con is because of the manipulation, a lot of the fights can feel repetitive
Donation Incentive Offers: I force Tterraj42 to do an acapella medley of some BN2 songs, even if he's not at the event in person. It's worth it, trust me.
Sample run video: https://youtu.be/CtrpG26OHY8

Game Name: Pokemon Sapphire
System: GBA played on a GBP
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 2:30:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: N/A
Pros/Cons: Sapphire is much more marathon friendly than it ever was before, with a manipulated godkip, no need for Abra and a pretty nifty death warp. A con would probably be the run is still dangerous, though not unsafe, so there may be some resets for better fights in spots
Donation Incentive Offers: Trainer name, Mudkip name, bird name, Castform name, Kyogre name
Sample run video: https://youtu.be/Mow_l0gh_zg

Game Name: Pokemon Crystal
System: GBC played on a GBP
Category: Any% Glitchless
Gameplay Estimate: 3:40:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:05 (bug catching contest, mayhaps?)
Pros/Cons: Biggest con is probably the middle game, where there isn't much to it other than going through a slow section of the game. Pro is the variety of strategies used based on stats, spinners hit, etc.
Donation Incentive Offers: Trainer name, Totodile name, cut slave name, bird name
Sample run video: https://youtu.be/o7hQrCwiWC4

Game Name: Pokemon Sun/Moon
System: 3DS
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 6:00:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:05 (live Wonder Trade to disrespect our team)
Pros/Cons: It's... new? Con is it's friggin' long for a Pokemon game and there's tons of cutscenes.
Donation Incentive Offers: Version, trainer name, Popplio name, Pikipek name, legendary name
Sample run video: https://youtu.be/RxX8t_Gl2Pw

Game Name: Animorphs
System: GBC played on GBP
Category: Any% or 125%
Gameplay Estimate: 40:00 or 50:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:01 (breaking the cart live)
Pros/Cons: Pros is it's Animorphs. Con is it's Animorphs.
Donation Incentive Offers: Playing a different game
Sample run video: https://youtu.be/F0gTZVwDndw - Any% | https://youtu.be/z5dhElQ9RLg - 125%

Game Name: Mega Man Battle Network 2
System: GBA played on a GBP
Category: Any% US
Gameplay Estimate: 2:30:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:05 (show off a Japanese-exclusive glitch that trivializes fights even further)
Pros/Cons: Biggest pro is the entire game is under my control.  Using RNG manipulation, I'm able to get the drops I need and finish fights in a quick, efficient and pleasing manner.  Biggest con is because of the manipulation, a lot of the fights can feel repetitive
Donation Incentive Offers: I force Tterraj42 to do an acapella medley of some BN2 songs, even if he's not at the event in person.  It's worth it, trust me.
Sample run video: [noembed]https://youtu.be/CtrpG26OHY8[/noembed]

Game Name: Pokemon Sapphire
System: GBA played on a GBP
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 2:30:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: N/A
Pros/Cons: Sapphire is much more marathon friendly than it ever was before, with a manipulated godkip, no need for Abra and a pretty nifty death warp.  A con would probably be the run is still dangerous, though not unsafe, so there may be some resets for better fights in spots
Donation Incentive Offers: Trainer name, Mudkip name, bird name, Castform name, Kyogre name
Sample run video: [noembed]https://youtu.be/Mow_l0gh_zg[/noembed]

Game Name: Pokemon Crystal
System: GBC played on a GBP
Category: Any% Glitchless
Gameplay Estimate: 3:40:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:05 (bug catching contest, mayhaps?)
Pros/Cons: Biggest con is probably the middle game, where there isn't much to it other than going through a slow section of the game.  Pro is the variety of strategies used based on stats, spinners hit, etc.
Donation Incentive Offers: Trainer name, Totodile name, cut slave name, bird name
Sample run video: [noembed]https://youtu.be/o7hQrCwiWC4[/noembed]

Game Name: Pokemon Sun/Moon
System: 3DS
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 6:00:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:05 (live Wonder Trade to disrespect our team)
Pros/Cons: It's... new?  Con is it's friggin' long for a Pokemon game and there's tons of cutscenes.
Donation Incentive Offers: Version, trainer name, Popplio name, Pikipek name, legendary name
Sample run video: [noembed]https://youtu.be/RxX8t_Gl2Pw[/noembed]

Game Name: Animorphs
System: GBC played on GBP
Category: Any% or 125%
Gameplay Estimate: 40:00 or 50:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:01 (breaking the cart live)
Pros/Cons: Pros is it's Animorphs.  Con is it's Animorphs.
Donation Incentive Offers: Playing a different game
Sample run video: [noembed]https://youtu.be/F0gTZVwDndw[/noembed] - Any% | [noembed]https://youtu.be/z5dhElQ9RLg[/noembed] - 125%

Omnigamer

2016-12-28 11:38:23 am

All the things

Note for the committee: my actual attendance/practice time is somewhat in doubt as I wrap up some personal projects in the same timeframe as the event. I won't know for sure until March, but consider this a heads-up to give priority to other runs if my games are on the border of accept/decline.

Game Name: Nier
System: X360 (or PS3)
Category: Ending A (Any%)
Gameplay Estimate: 3:25:00
Description: Nier is a cult hit action-RPG known for its amazing music and story. The gameplay references a variety of other games and genres throughout, which gives it some special appeal to a wider audience. The run itself features many different types of boss quick kills, boar drifting, advanced movement techniques, boar drifting, resource management, and boar drifting. With renewed interest in the franchise due to the upcoming release of Nier: Automata, the timing is right to revisit the original for an event too.

Pros/Cons:
+ Gameplay "makes sense," nothing too hard to understand or appreciate
+ Amazing music all the way through
+ Lots of gameplay variety; it keeps action fresh all the way throughout
+ Entertaining dialog and cutscenes
+ Run time should be very consistent; total gains and losses shouldn't be more than +/-5 min
+ Boar drifting
- Lots of swearing; not for all audiences
- Skips and highly technical tricks, while they exist, are few and far between
- A fair bit of downtime due to traveling between locations

Donation Incentives:
Choice of main character name (significant story importance)
Choice of Costume (Original, Kabuki, or Samurai) - Adds ~1 minute
Donation goals for specific cutscenes (TBD) - Adds 1-5 minutes

Game Name: Sylvan Tale
System: Game Gear
Category: 100%
Gameplay Estimate: 1:05
Description: Sylvan Tale is a Japan-only first-party SEGA action RPG. It has a lot of charm and sophistication compared to other games on the platform, but shares a lot in common with Zelda titles. The major game mechanics involve transformation abilities that grant you various skills to progress in the world. This category is 100%, which aims to get all optional pickups and experience the full game content.

Pros/Cons:
+ Very pretty and well-done for a Game Gear game
+ Gameplay is straightforward and easy to understand
+ Plenty of variety in dungeons
+ Some advanced tricks, such as zips
+ Creative setups for boss quick kills
- Pretty much nobody has heard of it before; even in Japan, this game is a rarity
- Status as an RPG may be dubious

Donation Incentives:
Play English Translation - Adds ~1 minute

Note for the committee: my actual attendance/practice time is somewhat in doubt as I wrap up some personal projects in the same timeframe as the event. I won't know for sure until March, but consider this a heads-up to give priority to other runs if my games are on the border of accept/decline.

Game Name: Nier
System: X360 (or PS3)
Category: Ending A (Any%)
Gameplay Estimate: 3:25:00
Description: Nier is a cult hit action-RPG known for its amazing music and story. The gameplay references a variety of other games and genres throughout, which gives it some special appeal to a wider audience. The run itself features many different types of boss quick kills, boar drifting, advanced movement techniques, boar drifting, resource management, and boar drifting. With renewed interest in the franchise due to the upcoming release of Nier: Automata, the timing is right to revisit the original for an event too.

Pros/Cons: 
+ Gameplay "makes sense," nothing too hard to understand or appreciate
+ Amazing music all the way through
+ Lots of gameplay variety; it keeps action fresh all the way throughout
+ Entertaining dialog and cutscenes
+ Run time should be very consistent; total gains and losses shouldn't be more than +/-5 min
+ Boar drifting
- Lots of swearing; not for all audiences
- Skips and highly technical tricks, while they exist, are few and far between
- A fair bit of downtime due to traveling between locations

Donation Incentives: 
Choice of main character name (significant story importance)
Choice of Costume (Original, Kabuki, or Samurai) - Adds ~1 minute
Donation goals for specific cutscenes (TBD) - Adds 1-5 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_asPnFuHBTA

Game Name: Sylvan Tale
System: Game Gear
Category: 100%
Gameplay Estimate: 1:05
Description: Sylvan Tale is a Japan-only first-party SEGA action RPG. It has a lot of charm and sophistication compared to other games on the platform, but shares a lot in common with Zelda titles. The major game mechanics involve transformation abilities that grant you various skills to progress in the world. This category is 100%, which aims to get all optional pickups and experience the full game content.

Pros/Cons: 
+ Very pretty and well-done for a Game Gear game
+ Gameplay is straightforward and easy to understand
+ Plenty of variety in dungeons
+ Some advanced tricks, such as zips
+ Creative setups for boss quick kills
- Pretty much nobody has heard of it before; even in Japan, this game is a rarity
- Status as an RPG may be dubious

Donation Incentives: 
Play English Translation - Adds ~1 minute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b6q_B1Rstw

Bizkit047

2016-12-28 11:43:27 am

Game Name: Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5
System: PS3
Category: LV1 Proud Mode Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 3:45
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-20 mins (depending on how many incentives I can fit)
Pros: Hardest Difficulty Mode done at the lowest level possible. Very popular and well known game. EXP 0 ability has hidden properties to it that can be abused to crush most well known hard bosses in interesting ways. It has never been done at a big marathon before.
Cons: Chance of death randomly in quite a few fights, time loss range 30s to 5 mins. Game has very slim chance of crashing in some parts. Run is about 15 minutes slower than regular Proud Any%.
Donation Incentive Offers: Sephiroth LV1 (1MP Challenge, 5 min fight), Unknown Fight (3 mins), Kurt Zisa (2-5 mins), Glitchgrabah showcase (5 min, out of bounds glitches, rare in KH series)
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/bizkit047/v/102998196

Game Name: Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5
System: PS3
Category: Proud Mode Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 3:25
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-20 mins (depending on how many incentives I can fit)
Pros: Hardest Difficulty Mode. Very popular and well known game. Faster category than LV1. Still displays EXP 0 abuse in a few parts.
Cons: Game has slim chance of crashing in some parts.
Donation Incentive Offers: Sephiroth LV1 (1MP, 5 min fight), Unknown Fight (3 mins), Kurt Zisa (2-5 mins), Glitchgrabah showcase (5 min, out of bounds glitches, rare in KH series)
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/bizkit047/v/77369754

Game Name: Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
System: PS2 (JP)
Category: LV1 Critical Mode Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 4:30
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-20 mins (depending on how many incentives I can fit)
Pros: Hardest Difficulty Mode done at the lowest level possible. Very popular and well known game.
Cons: Longer than regular Crit by about 15-20 mins. Unskippable gummi missions that add about 20 mins total of downtime (good for donation reading though)
Donation Incentive Offers: Sephiroth and/or Terra LV1 fights, possibly adding an optional boss fight to the run itself
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/bizkit047/v/15164422

Game Name: Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
System: PS2 (JP)
Category: Critical Mode Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 4:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-20 mins (depending on how many incentives I can fit)
Pros: Hardest Difficulty Mode done at the lowest level possible. Very popular and well known game. Faster category than LV1.
Cons: Unskippable gummi missions that add about 20 mins total of downtime (good for donation reading though)
Donation Incentive Offers: Sephiroth and/or Terra LV1 fights, adding optional boss fights to the run
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/bizkit047/v/67041131

NOTE: If the PS4 Ports are fast (out in March), if possible, we could switch to that. It would add the benefit of probably being able to play English version of both games while also having 1.5's & 2.5's great music.

Game Name: Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5
System: PS3
Category: LV1 Proud Mode Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 3:45
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-20 mins (depending on how many incentives I can fit)
Pros: Hardest Difficulty Mode done at the lowest level possible. Very popular and well known game. EXP 0 ability has hidden properties to it that can be abused to crush most well known hard bosses in interesting ways. It has never been done at a big marathon before.
Cons: Chance of death randomly in quite a few fights, time loss range 30s to 5 mins. Game has very slim chance of crashing in some parts. Run is about 15 minutes slower than regular Proud Any%.
Donation Incentive Offers: Sephiroth LV1 (1MP Challenge, 5 min fight), Unknown Fight (3 mins), Kurt Zisa (2-5 mins), Glitchgrabah showcase (5 min, out of bounds glitches, rare in KH series)
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/bizkit047/v/102998196

Game Name: Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5
System: PS3
Category: Proud Mode Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 3:25
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-20 mins (depending on how many incentives I can fit)
Pros: Hardest Difficulty Mode. Very popular and well known game. Faster category than LV1. Still displays EXP 0 abuse in a few parts.
Cons: Game has slim chance of crashing in some parts.
Donation Incentive Offers: Sephiroth LV1 (1MP, 5 min fight), Unknown Fight (3 mins), Kurt Zisa (2-5 mins), Glitchgrabah showcase (5 min, out of bounds glitches, rare in KH series)
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/bizkit047/v/77369754

Game Name: Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
System: PS2 (JP)
Category: LV1 Critical Mode Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 4:30
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-20 mins (depending on how many incentives I can fit)
Pros: Hardest Difficulty Mode done at the lowest level possible. Very popular and well known game.
Cons: Longer than regular Crit by about 15-20 mins. Unskippable gummi missions that add about 20 mins total of downtime (good for donation reading though)
Donation Incentive Offers: Sephiroth and/or Terra LV1 fights, possibly adding an optional boss fight to the run itself
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/bizkit047/v/15164422

Game Name: Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
System: PS2 (JP)
Category: Critical Mode Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 4:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-20 mins (depending on how many incentives I can fit)
Pros: Hardest Difficulty Mode done at the lowest level possible. Very popular and well known game. Faster category than LV1.
Cons: Unskippable gummi missions that add about 20 mins total of downtime (good for donation reading though)
Donation Incentive Offers: Sephiroth and/or Terra LV1 fights, adding optional boss fights to the run
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/bizkit047/v/67041131

NOTE: If the PS4 Ports are fast (out in March), if possible, we could switch to that. It would add the benefit of probably being able to play English version of both games while also having 1.5's & 2.5's great music.

skateman222

Edit history:

skateman222: 2016-12-31 09:08:27 pm

2016-12-28 12:01:14 pm

Game Name: Mother 1
System: GBA on Gamecube's GameBoy Player
Category: Any% English (Fan Translation)
Gameplay Estimate: 1:45:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:06:00 (mainly to show Player Name at the end)

Pros/Cons:
+ First game of the Mother series before EarthBound, a game that has been quite well-received in past marathons, including GDQ and RPG Limit Break. It will also be interesting to draw comparisons between the 2 games to show their similarities/differences.
+ Quite short for an RPG! At under 2 hours, it could be a little easier to fit into the schedule.
+ World Record has been brought down by 23 MINUTES this year and this can show how simple it is to use manipulation to breeze through the game.
+ Specifically rerouted the run to be as safe as possible for a marathon setting, costing on average 10 minutes of time for the sake of having a really high success rate. Multiple safety saves have been added before dangerous portions of the game.
+ Interesting watch for people who played the game casually, as it gets through areas at bare minimum levels and defeats the game with only 2 party members, skipping 2 others.
+ Jeffbound was complete madness last year and with very similar naming incentives, it can happen yet again.
- Considerable amount of grinding, taking up about 1/3 of the run (roughly 30 minutes).
- While the estimate is quite reasonable by adding a 10 minute cushion, terrible marathon luck is a thing. There are certain parts of the game that can't be manipulated that can cost 2-4 minute resets to occur. This is exactly why the closest safety saves before these areas have been included.

Donation Incentive Offers:
- Naming 4 Party Members + Favorite Food (6 character limit each).
- Naming the player (18 character limit, gets shown in the credits, only adds 15-30 seconds to the run depending on the name length, but let's face it guys, it's gonna be Jeff).

Sample Runs:
- My Marathon-Safe Route Commentary: https://www.twitch.tv/skateman222/v/108356519
- My PB/WR with commentary for reference: https://www.twitch.tv/skateman222/v/87191930

Additional Information:
Prefer to run on the English Fan Translation on flashcart/repro similarly done for Final Fantasy 5 last marathon. Better for audience to understand what's going on easily and more comfortable for the runner. If you don't agree with this, I wouldn't mind playing on the original Japanese cart as my route will work there too.

Game Name: EarthBound
System: SNES
Category: Any% Glitchless (Team Relay Race, two teams of 3-4 runners)
Gameplay Estimate: 4:25:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:15:00 (post final boss and credits)

Pros/Cons:
+ EarthBound has done very well at the previous two RPGLB marathons, as well as the GDQ marathons.
+ Current route has been quite optimized in recent years, decreasing the gameplay estimate for the run by a considerable amount (15-20 minutes)
+ Extensive amount of speedtech will be demonstrated, mostly involving skipping enemies (ex: stutterstepping, teleport-crashing, skip sandwich use, despawning, etc.).
+ Marathon safety is in play here as well, saving just before many of the more difficult spots in the run. Saving takes around 10 seconds when it is pretty much on the way and won't add more than 1-2 minutes to the duration of the run.
+ Community has grown immensely and what better way of demonstrating that with no other than doing a team relay format where we can show off the best of the best that can make it to the event!
+ Community is also the most active it has ever been. Weekly races are done every Sunday to build consistency and the winning times tend to be under estimate a lot more often than not.
+ JeffBound 2: Electro Swooshaloo!
- Game has already been in the past two RPGLB marathons and while its success is considered a pro, it can also seen as a con in order to allow the schedule to be more diverse compared to previous years.
- Wild spurts of bad luck can occur in almost any location that you can think of. It can be managed to the best of our ability to stop the time bleeding, but cannot be 100% prevented in most cases. Just have to adapt to what the game presents to the runners.
- Onett RNG manipulation will not be done at the marathon due to it being hard to execute in a marathon setting. In addition, it would create a huge lead for the team that successfully performs it, when the other team did not. This adds roughly a dozen minutes to the run on average and is included in the gameplay estimate.

Donation Incentive Offers:
- Naming characters (Ness, Paula, Jeff, Poo [5 characters each]).
- Naming the favorite thing, dog, and favorite food (6 characters each).
- Naming the player (24 characters).

Sample Runs:
- My commentary along with other runners on Andy's 3:52:13 run:
- My PB for reference (8th place with the slowest sub-4 hour time of 3:57:08): https://www.twitch.tv/skateman222/v/90532944

Game Name: Mother 1
System: GBA on Gamecube's GameBoy Player
Category: Any% English (Fan Translation)
Gameplay Estimate: 1:45:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:06:00 (mainly to show Player Name at the end)
 
Pros/Cons:
+ First game of the Mother series before EarthBound, a game that has been quite well-received in past marathons, including GDQ and RPG Limit Break. It will also be interesting to draw comparisons between the 2 games to show their similarities/differences.
+ Quite short for an RPG! At under 2 hours, it could be a little easier to fit into the schedule.
+ World Record has been brought down by 23 MINUTES this year  and this can show how simple it is to use manipulation to breeze through the game.
+ Specifically rerouted the run to be as safe as possible for a marathon setting, costing on average 10 minutes of time for the sake of having a really high success rate. Multiple safety saves have been added before dangerous portions of the game.
+ Interesting watch for people who played the game casually, as it gets through areas at bare minimum levels and defeats the game with only 2 party members, skipping 2 others.
+ Jeffbound was complete madness last year and with very similar naming incentives, it can happen yet again.
- Considerable amount of grinding, taking up about 1/3 of the run (roughly 30 minutes).
- While the estimate is quite reasonable by adding a 10 minute cushion, terrible marathon luck is a thing. There are certain parts of the game that can't be manipulated that can cost 2-4 minute resets to occur. This is exactly why the closest safety saves before these areas have been included.
 
Donation Incentive Offers:
- Naming 4 Party Members + Favorite Food (6 character limit each).
- Naming the player (18 character limit, gets shown in the credits, only adds 15-30 seconds to the run depending on the name length, but let's face it guys, it's gonna be Jeff).

Sample Runs:
- My Marathon-Safe Route Commentary: https://www.twitch.tv/skateman222/v/108356519
- My PB/WR with commentary for reference: https://www.twitch.tv/skateman222/v/87191930
 
Additional Information:
Prefer to run on the English Fan Translation on flashcart/repro similarly done for Final Fantasy 5 last marathon. Better for audience to understand what's going on easily and more comfortable for the runner. If you don't agree with this, I wouldn't mind playing on the original Japanese cart as my route will work there too.

Game Name: EarthBound
System: SNES
Category: Any% Glitchless (Team Relay Race, two teams of 3-4 runners)
Gameplay Estimate: 4:25:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:15:00 (post final boss and credits)

Pros/Cons:
+ EarthBound has done very well at the previous two RPGLB marathons, as well as the GDQ marathons.
+ Current route has been quite optimized in recent years, decreasing the gameplay estimate for the run by a considerable amount (15-20 minutes)
+ Extensive amount of speedtech will be demonstrated, mostly involving skipping enemies (ex: stutterstepping, teleport-crashing, skip sandwich use, despawning, etc.).
+ Marathon safety is in play here as well, saving just before many of the more difficult spots in the run. Saving takes around 10 seconds when it is pretty much on the way and won't add more than 1-2 minutes to the duration of the run.
+ Community has grown immensely and what better way of demonstrating that with no other than doing a team relay format where we can show off the best of the best that can make it to the event!
+ Community is also the most active it has ever been. Weekly races are done every Sunday to build consistency and the winning times tend to be under estimate a lot more often than not.
+ JeffBound 2: Electro Swooshaloo!
- Game has already been in the past two RPGLB marathons and while its success is considered a pro, it can also seen as a con in order to allow the schedule to be more diverse compared to previous years.
- Wild spurts of bad luck can occur in almost any location that you can think of. It can be managed to the best of our ability to stop the time bleeding, but cannot be 100% prevented in most cases. Just have to adapt to what the game presents to the runners.
- Onett RNG manipulation will not be done at the marathon due to it being hard to execute in a marathon setting. In addition, it would create a huge lead for the team that successfully performs it, when the other team did not. This adds roughly a dozen minutes to the run on average and is included in the gameplay estimate.

Donation Incentive Offers: 
- Naming characters (Ness, Paula, Jeff, Poo [5 characters each]).
- Naming the favorite thing, dog, and favorite food (6 characters each).
- Naming the player (24 characters).

Sample Runs: 
- My commentary along with other runners on Andy's 3:52:13 run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=633TKo820nw
- My PB for reference (8th place with the slowest sub-4 hour time of 3:57:08): https://www.twitch.tv/skateman222/v/90532944

ThatsFairZack

2016-12-28 01:56:57 pm

Game Name: Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
System: Super Nintendo
Category: Ancient Cave Any%/4-way Race, between me, Elmagus, shadowkiller4826, and The_Roth
Gameplay Estimate: 2:00:00 for both Any% and Race
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-15 Minutes Getting Key, accessing the Treasures, putting up any Iris treasures. Possible glitch exhibition to show off Glitched categories and glitched cutscenes.
Pros/Cons:

Pros:
+ Well known minigame amongst the RPG community from an extremely beloved series.
+ Successfully completed last year for RPGLB 2016 and every marathon before it including Jelly Bowl 2015.
+ A 4-way race would guarantee the completion of a 2 hour estimate, no fear of run ending early.
+ The danger of the run can provide for a very exciting sense of danger especially with 4 players running their own randomized version.
+ Never the same twice so the experience wouldn't be the same as last year's run.
+ Runners can provide excellent commentary which really sells the category
+ Would follow up great to the Lufia II main game speedrun if submitted. Ancient Cave for the most part has a larger audience draw and following overall than the main game.

Cons:
- If not a race and run solo, as with last year, despite the 8 time streak of marathon completion (more if you count other runners who completed their runs in other marathons), there is always a risk of the run not being able to be completed. This is sort of a half con because according to the viewer base for this game, failing to complete the run can be more exciting and intense than a smooth run through of the cave.
- Setting up a 4 player race may or may not prove to be a challenge. Each player will bring their respective own copy of the game with Gift Mode Unlocked.
- There's potential for someone not showing up when 4 people are involved but the race can succeed even at 2 people. (two of the potential racers are out of country)

Donation Incentive Offers:
- Naming Maxim (5 character limit)
- Naming Capsule Monster (5 character limit)
- Capsule monster bid war 7 monsters total to choose from (which also was a pretty entertaining social event at the marathon with people purposely donating against my favor)

Sample Run Videos:

Scrubathon VI 3-way Race: https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/109340724

Jelly Bowl 2015:

RPGLB 2016:

Additional Information: If the race format proves to be any sort of difficult hurdle, I'am more than willing to peform another Solo run through just like last time. It was a great experience and I look forward to being able to do it again if i'm given the opportunity.

[b]Game Name:[/b] Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
[b]System:[/b] Super Nintendo
[b]Category:[/b] Ancient Cave Any%/4-way Race, between me, Elmagus, shadowkiller4826, and The_Roth
[b]Gameplay Estimate:[/b] 2:00:00 for both Any% and Race
[b]Ending/Bonus Estimate:[/b] 10-15 Minutes Getting Key, accessing the Treasures, putting up any Iris treasures. Possible glitch exhibition to show off Glitched categories and glitched cutscenes.
[b]Pros/Cons:[/b]

[b]Pros:[/b]
[b]+[/b] Well known minigame amongst the RPG community from an extremely beloved series.
[b]+[/b] Successfully completed last year for RPGLB 2016 and every marathon before it including Jelly Bowl 2015.
[b]+[/b] A 4-way race would guarantee the completion of a 2 hour estimate, no fear of run ending early.
[b]+[/b] The danger of the run can provide for a very exciting sense of danger especially with 4 players running their own randomized version.
[b]+[/b] Never the same twice so the experience wouldn't be the same as last year's run. 
[b]+[/b] Runners can provide excellent commentary which really sells the category
[b]+[/b] Would follow up great to the Lufia II main game speedrun if submitted. Ancient Cave for the most part has a larger audience draw and following overall than the main game.

[b]Cons:[/b]
[b]-[/b] If not a race and run solo, as with last year, despite the 8 time streak of marathon completion (more if you count other runners who completed their runs in other marathons), there is always a risk of the run not being able to be completed. This is sort of a half con because according to the viewer base for this game, failing to complete the run can be more exciting and intense than a smooth run through of the cave. 
[b]-[/b] Setting up a 4 player race may or may not prove to be a challenge. Each player will bring their respective own copy of the game with Gift Mode Unlocked.
[b]-[/b] There's potential for someone not showing up when 4 people are involved but the race can succeed even at 2 people. (two of the potential racers are out of country)

[b]Donation Incentive Offers:[/b] 
[b]-[/b] Naming Maxim (5 character limit)
[b]-[/b] Naming Capsule Monster (5 character limit)
[b]-[/b] Capsule monster bid war 7 monsters total to choose from (which also was a pretty entertaining social event at the marathon with people purposely donating against my favor)

[b]Sample Run Videos:[/b]

[b]Scrubathon VI 3-way Race:[/b] https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/109340724

[b]Jelly Bowl 2015:[/b] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50binG3797A

[b]RPGLB 2016:[/b] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6BnmqhXK5w

[b]Additional Information:[/b] If the race format proves to be any sort of difficult hurdle, I'am more than willing to peform another Solo run through just like last time. It was a great experience and I look forward to being able to do it again if i'm given the opportunity.

Bl00dyBizkitz

2016-12-28 02:09:07 pm

Game Name: Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix
System: PS2 (With the PS4 ports coming out in March, that might be preferable. Would be able to play in English with remastered music and might even potentially be faster than the PS2 version)
Category: LV1 Data Org RTA
Gameplay Estimate: 35:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-20 minutes
Pros/Cons:
+Shorter run
+Boss Rush of 13 superbosses on the hardest difficulty
+Since it's showing at the last RPGLB, every single fight has had a new optimization and the route has been totally redone. The category has probably had 4 minutes of new timesaves found in the last year and it's getting faster as I write this post.
+Almost every boss has a creative and technically demanding strategy. No single broken mechanic blowing up every boss.
+Very little downtime.
-Not a full game any% run.
-Not much opportunity for donation reading.
-Because the run is on the hardest difficulty, deaths are very common, and typically take up 1-2 minutes per death. The estimate does take this into account.
Donation Incentive Offers: Terra and Sephiroth fights. Glitch Exhibition of the Cavern of Remembrance Skip.
Sample run video:

Game Name: Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix
System: PS2 (With the PS4 ports coming out in March, that might be preferable. Would be able to play in English with remastered music and might even potentially be faster than the PS2 version)
Category: LV1 Data Org RTA
Gameplay Estimate: 35:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-20 minutes
Pros/Cons:
+Shorter run
+Boss Rush of 13 superbosses on the hardest difficulty
+Since it's showing at the last RPGLB, every single fight has had a new optimization and the route has been totally redone. The category has probably had 4 minutes of new timesaves found in the last year and it's getting faster as I write this post.
+Almost every boss has a creative and technically demanding strategy. No single broken mechanic blowing up every boss.
+Very little downtime.
-Not a full game any% run.
-Not much opportunity for donation reading.
-Because the run is on the hardest difficulty, deaths are very common, and typically take up 1-2 minutes per death. The estimate does take this into account.
Donation Incentive Offers: Terra and Sephiroth fights. Glitch Exhibition of the Cavern of Remembrance Skip.
Sample run video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyeqAQBYRYg

the_roth

Edit history:

the_roth: 2016-12-28 09:08:55 pm

2016-12-28 05:42:56 pm

DO THE MEATEO

Game Name: Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
System: Super Nintendo
Category: Ancient Cave 4-way Race, between Zack, Elmagus, shadowkiller4826, and myself
Gameplay Estimate: 2:00:00

Just piggybacking off Zack's submission - this is a pretty fun run to watch as having to speedrun through complete RNG is interesting. The category makes for a lot of quick thinking and puzzle skills needed to navigate some of the randomly generated rooms although some of them can just outright kill your party. A race format would however make it likely that one of the runners would make it to the jelly.

Other possible donation incentives:
- I have made a Master Jelly boss fight game (for chat) that can choose 5 people at random and assign them characters / equipment, and then they would automatically fight the jelly. Would be happy to offer this to be played in chat for the duration of the game / block it is in.
- 'Evanescence clause' Smiley

(can PM me for details, at least SK and I would be on board lol)

Like last year I'm not guaranteed to make it to the event but will be trying to (will be looking for jobs in America starting February ish). Will know more details in around March at the earliest.

Sample video - https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/109340724

Game Name: Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
System: Super Nintendo
Category: Ancient Cave 4-way Race, between Zack, Elmagus, shadowkiller4826, and myself
Gameplay Estimate: 2:00:00

Just piggybacking off Zack's submission - this is a pretty fun run to watch as having to speedrun through complete RNG is interesting. The category makes for a lot of quick thinking and puzzle skills needed to navigate some of the randomly generated rooms although some of them can just outright kill your party. A race format would however make it likely that one of the runners would make it to the jelly.

Other possible donation incentives:
- I have made a Master Jelly boss fight game (for chat) that can choose 5 people at random and assign them characters / equipment, and then they would automatically fight the jelly. Would be happy to offer this to be played in chat for the duration of the game / block it is in.
- 'Evanescence clause' :) (can PM me for details, at least SK and I would be on board lol)

Like last year I'm not guaranteed to make it to the event but will be trying to (will be looking for jobs in America starting February ish). Will know more details in around March at the earliest.

Sample video - https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/109340724

NachoYacopu

Edit history:

NachoYacopu: 2016-12-28 08:13:44 pm

2016-12-28 08:12:30 pm

T r i P T e a M

Hello everyone.

This is a Co-op submission between myself (NachoYacopu) and DMCAether.

Game Name: Rudra No Hihou (Treasure of the Rudras)
System: Super Famicom
Category: All Scenarios Glitchless (co-op)
Gameplay Estimate: 7:20:00 (Note: This is considering the run done with English patch)
Ending/Bonus Estimate: Ending is 23 minutes long. But completely unnecessary to watch.

Pros:
+ The game is aesthetically pleasing in terms of animation and battle sprites. Also it has an excellent soundtrack.
+ Very unique Mantra system. Basically you make your own magic spells with words you type in the menu.
+ No grinding required thanks to the mantra system, which gives us access to very powerful spells early on.
+ The ability to change and set the turn order of your party adds a great deal of flexibility and interesting strategies to mown down bosses while avoiding their most dangerous attacks.
+ Game has very little randomness, main focus is getting ambushed in random encounters or bosses.
+ Since this game has a multi scenario system is very easy to swap out runners.
+ This run is glitchless, you get to see all four scenarios done - there are no big skips in the run.
+ In some parts of the run there are boss fights every 5 minutes so it gets really intense and fast-paced.

Cons:
- Game is fairly unknown outside of Japan.
- Certain random encounters in the overworld can kill you if they ambush you (Although you can save everywhere in the World Map, so it’s not that bad).
- There’s some parts of the run with fairly long "downtimes" where not much happens (Example: The beginning of Surlent’s scenario).
- Could be considered a fairly long run for an SNES title.

Donation Incentive Offers:
- Name the four protagonist (Riza, Sion, Surlent and Dune) - 8 characters limit.
- Fight optional bosses (Kurgan in Riza’s scenario - 2 minutes and Salas in Surlent’s scenario - 5 minutes)
- Inscribe your own Mantra (could be done as a bidwar) - 12 character limit.

Sample run videos:
- https://www.twitch.tv/nachoyacopu/v/39772393 - My All Scenarios PB (7:00:39 JRTA Timing - 6:37:56 to final boss kill) played on J version (No Commentary)
- https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/43873085 - Riza’s Scenario run from Scubathon III
- https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/42548921 - Sion’s Scenario run from Scubathon II
- https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/74988156 - Surlent+Dune Scenarios run from Scrubathon V

--------

These are my (NachoYacopu) solo submissions.

Game Name: Rudra No Hihou (Treasure of the Rudras)
System: Super Famicom
Category: Any% (with Glitches)
Gameplay Estimate: 4:20:00 (using the English Patch and considering no credits)

Pros: (will only list what's different compared to the Glitchless submission just above this one)
+ Not as long.
+ Glitches hardly interfere in combat, so boss fights are still challenging and exciting.
+ You get some surprising final characters on your party to play the final scenario.

Cons:
- Lots of skipped content, including all of Sion's scenario and half of Surlent's.
- Endgame is a bit more punishing due to having weaker party members.
- We still have to go through the start of Surlent's scenario which is fairly slow.

Donation Incentive Offers:
- Name three protagonists (Riza, Surlent (whose name will end up being used by Rostam and Huey in the final scenario) and Dune) (we never use Sion so its probably pointless to name him)

Sample run video:
- https://www.twitch.tv/nachoyacopu/v/103450918 - Test run (4:12:57 JRTA Timing - 3:50:17 to final boss kill)

Additional info: This is a much shorter run that still beats the game. I recently finished the route and did a test run - so this run could still be further optimized down the line.

Game Name: Grandia: Parallel Trippers
System: Gameboy (SGB2)
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 2:00:00
Ending/Bonus estimate: 15:00 (7 minutes from incentives, 8 minutes from ending/credits)

Pros:
+ Very short, with a decent ratio of action to cutscenes/textboxes-mashing.
+ All of the classic Grandia cast is here! As well as all of the Grandia tunes we all know and love.
+ Routed with safety in mind, plus being able to save anywhere makes this one an extremely safe marathon speedrun.
+ Thanks to the IP Gauge mechanic you have a great deal of control over what happens, and it adds quite a bit of depth to battles, requiring smart managing of your turns as well as finding opportunities to interrupt/cancel enemy actions while setting off your own.
+ Only one instance of RNG potentially slowing down the run (farming a drop) but each attempt takes only around 30 seconds.

Cons:
- Its a -really- obscure game, only held by the fact its a game in the Grandia series.
- Since battle animations are disabled, action in fights can be hard to follow (they could be enabled but they add a LOT of time).
- Boss fights can be repetitive since the strategy to defeat all bosses from the third one on is pretty much the same, just reacting differently to what different bosses can throw at you while you set up.
- Its a GameBoy game and it looks and sounds like one.

Donation Incentive Offers:
- Name the main character - 6 character limit
- Recruit additional optional characters (Java - 2 minutes and Nana+Saki+Mio trio - 5 minutes)
- Pick third party member (Sue or Feena) (could add more options once I test their viability)

Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/107358423 - Scrubathon IV run in 1:50:21

Thank you for your time, looking forward to RPGLB '17!

Hello everyone.

This is a Co-op submission between myself (NachoYacopu) and DMCAether.

[b]Game Name:[/b] Rudra No Hihou (Treasure of the Rudras)
[b]System:[/b] Super Famicom
[b]Category:[/b] All Scenarios Glitchless (co-op)
[b]Gameplay Estimate:[/b] 7:20:00 (Note: This is considering the run done with English patch)
[b]Ending/Bonus Estimate:[/b] Ending is 23 minutes long. But completely unnecessary to watch.

[b]Pros:[/b]
 + The game is aesthetically pleasing in terms of animation and battle sprites. Also it has an excellent soundtrack.
 + Very unique Mantra system. Basically you make your own magic spells with words you type in the menu.
 + No grinding required thanks to the mantra system, which gives us access to very powerful spells early on. 
 + The ability to change and set the turn order of your party adds a great deal of flexibility and interesting strategies to mown down bosses while avoiding their most dangerous attacks.
 + Game has very little randomness, main focus is getting ambushed in random encounters or bosses. 
 + Since this game has a multi scenario system is very easy to swap out runners. 
 + This run is glitchless, you get to see all four scenarios done - there are no big skips in the run.
 + In some parts of the run there are boss fights every 5 minutes so it gets really intense and fast-paced.

[b]Cons:[/b]
 - Game is fairly unknown outside of Japan.
 - Certain random encounters in the overworld can kill you if they ambush you (Although you can save everywhere in the World Map, so it’s not that bad).
 - There’s some parts of the run with fairly long "downtimes" where not much happens (Example: The beginning of Surlent’s scenario).
 - Could be considered a fairly long run for an SNES title.

[b]Donation Incentive Offers: [/b]
- Name the four protagonist (Riza, Sion, Surlent and Dune) - 8 characters limit.
- Fight optional bosses (Kurgan in Riza’s scenario - 2 minutes and Salas in Surlent’s scenario - 5 minutes)
- Inscribe your own Mantra (could be done as a bidwar) - 12 character limit.

[b]Sample run videos:[/b]
- https://www.twitch.tv/nachoyacopu/v/39772393 - My All Scenarios PB (7:00:39 JRTA Timing - 6:37:56 to final boss kill) played on J version (No Commentary)
- https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/43873085 - Riza’s Scenario run from Scubathon III
- https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/42548921 - Sion’s Scenario run from Scubathon II
- https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/74988156 - Surlent+Dune Scenarios run from Scrubathon V

--------

These are my (NachoYacopu) solo submissions.

[b]Game Name:[/b] Rudra No Hihou (Treasure of the Rudras)
[b]System:[/b] Super Famicom
[b]Category:[/b] Any% (with Glitches)
[b]Gameplay Estimate:[/b] 4:20:00 (using the English Patch and considering no credits)

[b]Pros:[/b] (will only list what's different compared to the Glitchless submission just above this one)
 + Not as long.
 + Glitches hardly interfere in combat, so boss fights are still challenging and exciting.
 + You get some surprising final characters on your party to play the final scenario.

[b]Cons:[/b]
 - Lots of skipped content, including all of Sion's scenario and half of Surlent's.
 - Endgame is a bit more punishing due to having weaker party members.
 - We still have to go through the start of Surlent's scenario which is fairly slow.

[b]Donation Incentive Offers:[/b]
- Name three protagonists (Riza, Surlent (whose name will end up being used by Rostam and Huey in the final scenario) and Dune) (we never use Sion so its probably pointless to name him)

[b]Sample run video:[/b]
- https://www.twitch.tv/nachoyacopu/v/103450918 - Test run (4:12:57 JRTA Timing - 3:50:17 to final boss kill)

[b]Additional info:[/b] This is a much shorter run that still beats the game. I recently finished the route and did a test run - so this run could still be further optimized down the line.

[b]Game Name:[/b] Grandia: Parallel Trippers
[b]System:[/b] Gameboy (SGB2)
[b]Category:[/b] Any%
[b]Gameplay Estimate:[/b] 2:00:00
[b]Ending/Bonus estimate:[/b] 15:00 (7 minutes from incentives, 8 minutes from ending/credits)

[b]Pros:[/b]
  + Very short, with a decent ratio of action to cutscenes/textboxes-mashing.
  + All of the classic Grandia cast is here! As well as all of the Grandia tunes we all know and love.
  + Routed with safety in mind, plus being able to save anywhere makes this one an extremely safe marathon speedrun.
  + Thanks to the IP Gauge mechanic you have a great deal of control over what happens, and it adds quite a bit of depth to battles, requiring smart managing of your turns as well as finding opportunities to interrupt/cancel enemy actions while setting off your own.
  + Only one instance of RNG potentially slowing down the run (farming a drop) but each attempt takes only around 30 seconds.

[b]Cons:[/b]
  - Its a -really- obscure game, only held by the fact its a game in the Grandia series.
  - Since battle animations are disabled, action in fights can be hard to follow (they could be enabled but they add a LOT of time).
  - Boss fights can be repetitive since the strategy to defeat all bosses from the third one on is pretty much the same, just reacting differently to what different bosses can throw at you while you set up.
  - Its a GameBoy game and it looks and sounds like one.

[b]Donation Incentive Offers:[/b]
- Name the main character - 6 character limit
- Recruit additional optional characters (Java - 2 minutes and Nana+Saki+Mio trio - 5 minutes)
- Pick third party member (Sue or Feena) (could add more options once I test their viability)

[b]Sample run video:[/b] https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/107358423 - Scrubathon IV run in 1:50:21

Thank you for your time, looking forward to RPGLB '17!

PsiSquatch

Edit history:

PsiSquatch: 2017-01-22 02:42:50 pm

PsiSquatch: 2016-12-31 02:41:04 pm

PsiSquatch: 2016-12-30 08:22:42 am

PsiSquatch: 2016-12-29 04:05:24 pm

PsiSquatch: 2016-12-29 04:00:48 pm

PsiSquatch: 2016-12-29 10:46:33 am

PsiSquatch: 2016-12-29 09:06:27 am

PsiSquatch: 2016-12-29 12:33:46 am

2016-12-29 12:02:10 am

Game Name: Final Fantasy X-2 HD Remastered
System: PC
Category: any% NG
Gameplay Estimate: 3:15:00

Ending/Bonus Estimate:0:00 nothing to really show off
Pros/Cons: X-2 HD is a much more laid back run compared to it's PS2 counterpart. The early game isn't as exciting as PS2 is but it is very great to watch runners and see the way the adapt to fights like the Naga Sisters. Fights after a certain point in the run are complete randomness. The player has no control over the fights and what attacks are used. This makes for weird and crazy fights. An example is trying to get a party member to cast assault, which is pretty much haste but used on everyone. Another streamer, Yuna92Raichu will also be submitting a run for the PC any% of X-2, a race would be a fun idea and would be much more entertaining than just one person running the game.

Donation Incentive Offers: Naming Creatures (Gecko, Anole, Machina Hunter, Machina Ranger - 18 character limit for all creatures) singing 1000 words, and watching and singing Real Emotion (Intro Cutscene, about 3 and half minutes)

Sample Run Video: https://www.twitch.tv/psisquatch/v/110593274

Side note: I will not be able to attend the event until the 17th, so I can't run the game on the 15th or 16th. Just something to note.

Game Name: Final Fantasy X-2 HD Remastered
System: PC
Category: any% NG 
Gameplay Estimate: 3:15:00

Ending/Bonus Estimate:0:00 nothing to really show off
Pros/Cons: X-2 HD is a much more laid back run compared to it's PS2 counterpart. The early game isn't as exciting as PS2 is but it is very great to watch runners and see the way the adapt to fights like the Naga Sisters. Fights after a certain point in the run are complete randomness. The player has no control over the fights and what attacks are used. This makes for weird and crazy fights. An example is trying to get a party member to cast assault, which is pretty much haste but used on everyone. Another streamer, Yuna92Raichu will also be submitting a run for the PC any% of X-2, a race would be a fun idea and would be much more entertaining than just one person running the game.

Donation Incentive Offers: Naming Creatures (Gecko, Anole, Machina Hunter, Machina Ranger - 18 character limit for all creatures) singing 1000 words, and watching and singing Real Emotion (Intro Cutscene, about 3 and half minutes)

Sample Run Video: https://www.twitch.tv/psisquatch/v/110593274

Side note: I will not be able to attend the event until the 17th, so I can't run the game on the 15th or 16th. Just something to note.

Couch_23

Edit history:

Couch_23: 2016-12-29 02:23:02 am

Couch_23: 2016-12-29 02:17:13 am

Couch_23: 2016-12-29 02:16:05 am

Couch_23: 2016-12-29 02:00:35 am

Couch_23: 2016-12-29 02:00:16 am

2016-12-29 01:59:41 am

Game Name: Final Fantasy IV
System: SNES
Category: Any% yes64 noCW
Gameplay Estimate: 2:15:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 2:25:00-2:35:00 with name change donation incentive

Pros/Cons:
+Relatively quick run due to use of the 64 floor glitch
+Multiple strats can be used to beat different bosses
+Game is pretty optimized and fairly straightforward
-RNG can ruin certain strats for boss battles, but safety strats are quite safe and easy to pull off
-I am a relatively new runner which may cause minor inconsistencies
-/+There are many places to safety save if the runner feels the need to use them

Donation Incentive Offers: Name Changes to Characters

Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/couch_23/v/107150478 This is my previous PB of 2:05:31, my current PB 2:02:58 video is currently broken into segments since my stream dropped in the middle of milon.

MLSTRM

Edit history:

MLSTRM: 2016-12-30 06:56:10 pm

MLSTRM: 2016-12-29 04:19:59 am

2016-12-29 04:19:12 am

You can never run enough games

Game Name: Xenoblade Chronicles
System: Wii, Played on PAL Wii U
(Wii U Virtual Console saves like an hour in loading, and PAL is 10-15m faster due to higher movement speed. This requires a Wii U on component/composite cables, set to 576i Resolution)
Category: NG RTA (aka Any%)
Gameplay Estimate: 5:35:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:30:00-0:40:00 (20m for ending, 10m for Tyrea sidequest, possibly a further 10m if the Tyrea sidequest is considered with cutscenes included)

Pros/Cons:
+The game is widely loved as one of the best JRPGs of the Wii, and even of the console generation overall.
-While the game has a very solid story, all of the cutscenes in the run are skipped, however there is plenty of time in the run to give an outline of what is going on story-wise
+Since all cutscenes are skippable, the run is entirely gameplay. The depth of the battle system and character development are explored throughout the run, and there is nothing that's incredibly strong/overpowered that gets used a lot, just solid play.
+We use a wide variety of battle strategies and party choices throughout the run as different things become more or less effective, and there is only 1 fight where any kind of real system abuse stops the game from fighting back, which makes for some very intense moments at times, especially at the end of the game.
-Unfortunately the run does require grinding, which takes about 35-40 minutes total. The farming methods are amusing for those who haven't seen it before, but the novelty can wear off after a while. Also due to the sheer scale of the game, there are some points in the midgame where there isn't too much to explain speedrun or story wise while we run from one place to the next.
+/- Early into the run there is a trick to get from level 8 to level 43, which means we're ahead of enemy levels for a decent chunk of the run, however this trick requires a 6% block chance from an enemy, with enough attempts to get to roughly a 50% chance per reload of the save setup. There is no guarantee you will get it eventually, so a backup save just past the trick would have to be created just in case.
+ Outside of the one trick mentioned previously (which is about 20-25 minutes into the run), the rest of the run is very marathon safe. There is a lot of improvisation in the route based on things such as the amount of money you get from drops/items and the specific setup you can create, but nothing to the point where the run can be lost over it.

Note on the estimate: My recent runs have all been pretty happily under the 5:40 mark, and I hope to still improve my time quite considerably before the event, however I am not confident in setting a lower estimate at this point before submissions close. Will there be a chance to adjust it later on?

Possible Donation Incentives:
-Voice Acting language (English/Japanese) - This can be changed at any point, so could make a good rolling incentive, to get checked at each major menu in the run.
-Singing the Ending song (Would cost no time if ending is shown)
-Performing the Melancholy Tyrea sidequest, which includes a high level optional boss fight, and would add at most 10 minutes to the run. This sidequest is notable for being the only one with voiced cutscenes which we could show. Playing these cutscenes would add a further 10 minutes on top, so this could also work as a 2-level incentive.

Video:
https://www.twitch.tv/mlstrm/v/111028724 (Current PB, 5:28:22)

Game Name: Xenoblade Chronicles
System: Wii, Played on PAL Wii U
(Wii U Virtual Console saves like an hour in loading, and PAL is 10-15m faster due to higher movement speed. This requires a Wii U on component/composite cables, set to 576i Resolution)
Category: NG RTA (aka Any%)
Gameplay Estimate: 5:35:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:30:00-0:40:00 (20m for ending, 10m for Tyrea sidequest, possibly a further 10m if the Tyrea sidequest is considered with cutscenes included)

Pros/Cons:
+The game is widely loved as one of the best JRPGs of the Wii, and even of the console generation overall.
-While the game has a very solid story, all of the cutscenes in the run are skipped, however there is plenty of time in the run to give an outline of what is going on story-wise
+Since all cutscenes are skippable, the run is entirely gameplay. The depth of the battle system and character development are explored throughout the run, and there is nothing that's incredibly strong/overpowered that gets used a lot, just solid play.
+We use a wide variety of battle strategies and party choices throughout the run as different things become more or less effective, and there is only 1 fight where any kind of real system abuse stops the game from fighting back, which makes for some very intense moments at times, especially at the end of the game.
-Unfortunately the run does require grinding, which takes about 35-40 minutes total. The farming methods are amusing for those who haven't seen it before, but the novelty can wear off after a while. Also due to the sheer scale of the game, there are some points in the midgame where there isn't too much to explain speedrun or story wise while we run from one place to the next.
+/- Early into the run there is a trick to get from level 8 to level 43, which means we're ahead of enemy levels for a decent chunk of the run, however this trick requires a 6% block chance from an enemy, with enough attempts to get to roughly a 50% chance per reload of the save setup. There is no guarantee you will get it eventually, so a backup save just past the trick would have to be created just in case.
+ Outside of the one trick mentioned previously (which is about 20-25 minutes into the run), the rest of the run is very marathon safe. There is a lot of improvisation in the route based on things such as the amount of money you get from drops/items and the specific setup you can create, but nothing to the point where the run can be lost over it.

Note on the estimate: My recent runs have all been pretty happily under the 5:40 mark, and I hope to still improve my time quite considerably before the event, however I am not confident in setting a lower estimate at this point before submissions close. Will there be a chance to adjust it later on?

Possible Donation Incentives: 
-Voice Acting language (English/Japanese) - This can be changed at any point, so could make a good rolling incentive, to get checked at each major menu in the run.
-Singing the Ending song (Would cost no time if ending is shown)
-Performing the Melancholy Tyrea sidequest, which includes a high level optional boss fight, and would add at most 10 minutes to the run. This sidequest is notable for being the only one with voiced cutscenes which we could show. Playing these cutscenes would add a further 10 minutes on top, so this could also work as a 2-level incentive.

Video:
https://www.twitch.tv/mlstrm/v/111028724 (Current PB, 5:28:22)

kariohki

Edit history:

kariohki: 2016-12-31 06:47:22 pm

2016-12-29 06:33:18 am

waifus are laifu

Game Name: Magic Knight Rayearth
System: Sega Saturn
Category: Any% Race with Shentok
Gameplay Estimate: 3:00:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 5:00 Ending
Pros: Excellent sprite work with solid action. The run is extremely safe with zero chance for a run to end. Excellent localization and pretty good voice acting by Working Designs.
Cons: Very slow start with about 20 minutes of cutscenes to start the game, then pace picks up very quickly afterwards. It is an action RPG that may or may not fit within the RPG LB standards.
Donation Incentive Offers: None
Sample run video:

https://www.twitch.tv/kariohki/v/109484639

Game Name: Growlanser II: The Sense of Justice
System: PS2
Category: Any% Bad Ending
Gameplay Estimate: 3:00:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 5:00
Pros: Great spritework and character designs. The real-time strategy aspect leads to quick thinking and interesting battles. Battles finishing are safe due to in-battle saving. Very little downtime between action-y segments.
Cons: RNG out the wazoo in terms of equipment drops. Can have safety saves in case things go badly.
Donation Incentive Offers: Considering donation war of Bad Ending vs Good Ending. Good Ending adds an extra mission, not sure of how much time it'd add.
Sample run video:

This is the WR video not by me so you can see how it plays https://www.twitch.tv/skiegh/v/41088550

Game Name: Shepherd's Crossing
System: PS2
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 30:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 5:00
Pros: Cute Harvest Moon-like game where you need to trade up crops/products to get sheep. Quick filler game.
Cons: Slow ending half where you're just waiting for stuff to grow.
Donation Incentive Offers: Main character name and nickname
Sample run video:

https://www.twitch.tv/kariohki/v/46932272

Game Name: Magic Knight Rayearth
System: Sega Saturn
Category: Any% Race with Shentok
Gameplay Estimate: 3:00:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 5:00 Ending
Pros: Excellent sprite work with solid action. The run is extremely safe with zero chance for a run to end. Excellent localization and pretty good voice acting by Working Designs.
Cons: Very slow start with about 20 minutes of cutscenes to start the game, then pace picks up very quickly afterwards. It is an action RPG that may or may not fit within the RPG LB standards.
Donation Incentive Offers: None
Sample run video: [hidden]https://www.twitch.tv/kariohki/v/109484639[/hidden]

Game Name: Growlanser II: The Sense of Justice
System: PS2
Category: Any% Bad Ending
Gameplay Estimate: 3:00:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 5:00
Pros: Great spritework and character designs. The real-time strategy aspect leads to quick thinking and interesting battles. Battles finishing are safe due to in-battle saving. Very little downtime between action-y segments.
Cons: RNG out the wazoo in terms of equipment drops. Can have safety saves in case things go badly.
Donation Incentive Offers: Considering donation war of Bad Ending vs Good Ending. Good Ending adds an extra mission, not sure of how much time it'd add.
Sample run video: [hidden]This is the WR video not by me so you can see how it plays https://www.twitch.tv/skiegh/v/41088550 [/hidden]

Game Name: Shepherd's Crossing
System: PS2
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 30:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 5:00
Pros: Cute Harvest Moon-like game where you need to trade up crops/products to get sheep. Quick filler game.
Cons: Slow ending half where you're just waiting for stuff to grow.
Donation Incentive Offers: Main character name and nickname
Sample run video: [hidden]https://www.twitch.tv/kariohki/v/46932272[/hidden]

vaxherd

Edit history:

vaxherd: 2016-12-31 02:14:14 am

vaxherd: 2016-12-29 07:04:59 am

2016-12-29 07:03:41 am

Totally not marathon-safe, but eh, why not throw it out there...

Game Name: Dragon Warrior III
System: NES
Category: Any% (glitched)
Gameplay Estimate: 1:20
Ending/Bonus Estimate: Ending is 8 minutes; could show off other uses of the glitches for 10 minutes or so

Cons:
- This route is a real-time-runnable version of my item glitch TAS; while it doesn't require frame-perfect inputs, it's far from marathon-safe. (The estimate accounts for that uncertainty as best I can; a good run will be around 50 minutes, but particularly in the first half of the run, I could lose up to 10 minutes from a single wrong step.)
- The run is all execution and almost no improvisation, which probably doesn't match most people's ideas of an RPG speedrun.
- There's a Metal Babble fight that results in over 8 minutes of level spam, which may not be the most exciting thing for viewers to watch.
- We had this game last year, albeit on the SNES and without glitches.

Pros:
+ It's a fairly well-known and popular game.
+ Anecdotal evidence suggests it's moderately hilarious for first-time viewers to see encounterless dungeons, swords changing into orbs, and things of that nature.
+ The route controls the RNG for most of the game, so gameplay time outside of mistakes is fairly consistent; about the only random factor is how many "X is dead" messages pop up during item glitching.

Donation Incentive Offers:
* Names (EDIT: and genders) for Hero, Pilgrims 1+2, Wizards 1+2, and Soldier (up to 8 characters, except that the hero's name can't be exactly 6 characters long because it breaks the item glitch). Adds about 2 minutes for creating extra characters to replace the default ones, 1-2 minutes for longer text messages, and possibly another 3-4 minutes for extra RNG manipulation depending on the actual names. Note that, while it's unlikely, the first letter of some names may change as a result of item glitching.
* I could potentially learn a 5-minute-or-so game and run that as an incentive during the level spam (on a separate console, obviously), though I don't currently have any thoughts on a specific game (glitched Shadowgate comes to mind, but it's not really an RPG).

Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/vaxherd/v/79782402 (current PB)
(For reference - TAS video with commentary as subtitles: https://youtu.be/YRouNXeZQY4)

Totally not marathon-safe, but eh, why not throw it out there...

[b]Game Name:[/b] Dragon Warrior III
[b]System:[/b] NES
[b]Category:[/b] Any% (glitched)
[b]Gameplay Estimate:[/b] 1:20
[b]Ending/Bonus Estimate:[/b] Ending is 8 minutes; could show off other uses of the glitches for 10 minutes or so

[b]Cons:[/b]
- This route is a real-time-runnable version of my item glitch TAS; while it doesn't require frame-perfect inputs, it's far from marathon-safe. (The estimate accounts for that uncertainty as best I can; a good run will be around 50 minutes, but particularly in the first half of the run, I could lose up to 10 minutes from a single wrong step.)
- The run is all execution and almost no improvisation, which probably doesn't match most people's ideas of an RPG speedrun.
- There's a Metal Babble fight that results in over 8 minutes of level spam, which may not be the most exciting thing for viewers to watch.
- We had this game last year, albeit on the SNES and without glitches.

[b]Pros:[/b]
+ It's a fairly well-known and popular game.
+ Anecdotal evidence suggests it's moderately hilarious for first-time viewers to see encounterless dungeons, swords changing into orbs, and things of that nature.
+ The route controls the RNG for most of the game, so gameplay time outside of mistakes is fairly consistent; about the only random factor is how many "X is dead" messages pop up during item glitching.

[b]Donation Incentive Offers:[/b]
* Names (EDIT: and genders) for Hero, Pilgrims 1+2, Wizards 1+2, and Soldier (up to 8 characters, except that the hero's name can't be exactly 6 characters long because it breaks the item glitch). Adds about 2 minutes for creating extra characters to replace the default ones, 1-2 minutes for longer text messages, and possibly another 3-4 minutes for extra RNG manipulation depending on the actual names. Note that, while it's unlikely, the first letter of some names may change as a result of item glitching.
* I could potentially learn a 5-minute-or-so game and run that as an incentive during the level spam (on a separate console, obviously), though I don't currently have any thoughts on a specific game (glitched Shadowgate comes to mind, but it's not really an RPG).

[b]Sample run video:[/b] [url]https://www.twitch.tv/vaxherd/v/79782402[/url] (current PB)
(For reference - TAS video with commentary as subtitles: [noembed]https://youtu.be/YRouNXeZQY4[/noembed])

ukobotic

Edit history:

ukobotic: 2016-12-29 08:04:38 am

2016-12-29 08:01:20 am

B O O K A

Game Name: EarthBound
System: SNES (EDIT: As of the time of this post I play on Wii U VC because I don't yet own an EarthBound cart, but I will likely be making the switch and adjustment before the actual event.)
Category: Any% Glitchless (Team Relay Race, two teams of 3-4 runners)
Gameplay Estimate: 4:25:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:15:00 (post final boss/credits)

Pros/Cons:
Last year's RPGLimitBreak (As well as the previous year) played a huge role in solidifying my interest in learning the EarthBound Glitchless speedrun because it displayed the wonderfulness and supportiveness of its community. With the help and love and support of each of the people who sat in those chairs and on that couch last year during Andy's run, I've become one of the top 10 fastest runners of this category... last LimitBreak I wasn't even on the leaderboard!
Unfortunately I don't have a very "solid" run of nonmanipulation to reference other than my 4:23, but what I WILL tell you is that my 4:23 was a very monumental run in my career as a speedrunner in general, demonstrating not only my ability to handle myself throughout the entirety of the run (and still PB after losing 8 minutes, regaining 11) but also my ability to recover from unpreventable bad situations! In this case, during the Boogey Tent boss fight, I had a 1/36 outcome happen to me that prevented me from progressing for 6 minutes... Boogey Tent IGNORED the Teddy Bear meat shield (1/4 chance), chose to do his offensive move (1/3 chance), and chose to hit Jeff, the only party member who could deal enough damage to defeat it (1/3 chance), one-shotting him. Despite this, I recovered in the best way I could as fast as possible and continued the run because I didn't have enough time to reset that morning, and pulled out a race/marathon time of potentially 4:18 or even 4:17, subtracting the death of course. Since then, I've learned all the rng manipulation that can be done (saving around 12 minutes) and decreased my time to 4:01. Mind, though, that in a race/marathon RNG manipulation won't be done, so this would equate to somewhere between 4:11-4:13. Still, 4:25:00 is gonna be the estimate because RNG-based tragedy is always a real possibility.
All of this being said, I think I'm a real potential candidate for a relay race team member and I think I would be a beneficial asset for any part of the game, as well as communicating and planning with my team members regarding item management and other strategy.

Donation Incentive Offers:
- Naming characters (Ness, Paula, Jeff, Poo [5 characters each]).
- Naming the favorite thing, dog, and favorite food (6 characters each).
- Naming the player (24 characters).

Sample Runs:
My 4:23 with a boogey tent death:
My current PB: https://www.twitch.tv/ukobotic/v/109005918

Game Name: EarthBound
System: SNES (EDIT: As of the time of this post I play on Wii U VC because I don't yet own an EarthBound cart, but I will likely be making the switch and adjustment before the actual event.)
Category: Any% Glitchless (Team Relay Race, two teams of 3-4 runners)
Gameplay Estimate: 4:25:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:15:00 (post final boss/credits)

Pros/Cons:
Last year's RPGLimitBreak (As well as the previous year) played a huge role in solidifying my interest in learning the EarthBound Glitchless speedrun because it displayed the wonderfulness and supportiveness of its community. With the help and love and support of each of the people who sat in those chairs and on that couch last year during Andy's run, I've become one of the top 10 fastest runners of this category... last LimitBreak I wasn't even on the leaderboard!
Unfortunately I don't have a very "solid" run of nonmanipulation to reference other than my 4:23, but what I WILL tell you is that my 4:23 was a very monumental run in my career as a speedrunner in general, demonstrating not only my ability to handle myself throughout the entirety of the run (and still PB after losing 8 minutes, regaining 11) but also my ability to recover from unpreventable bad situations! In this case, during the Boogey Tent boss fight, I had a 1/36 outcome happen to me that prevented me from progressing for 6 minutes... Boogey Tent IGNORED the Teddy Bear meat shield (1/4 chance), chose to do his offensive move (1/3 chance), and chose to hit Jeff, the only party member who could deal enough damage to defeat it (1/3 chance), one-shotting him. Despite this, I recovered in the best way I could as fast as possible and continued the run because I didn't have enough time to reset that morning, and pulled out a race/marathon time of potentially 4:18 or even 4:17, subtracting the death of course. Since then, I've learned all the rng manipulation that can be done (saving around 12 minutes) and decreased my time to 4:01. Mind, though, that in a race/marathon RNG manipulation won't be done, so this would equate to somewhere between 4:11-4:13. Still, 4:25:00 is gonna be the estimate because RNG-based tragedy is always a real possibility.
All of this being said, I think I'm a real potential candidate for a relay race team member and I think I would be a beneficial asset for any part of the game, as well as communicating and planning with my team members regarding item management and other strategy.

Donation Incentive Offers: 
- Naming characters (Ness, Paula, Jeff, Poo [5 characters each]).
- Naming the favorite thing, dog, and favorite food (6 characters each).
- Naming the player (24 characters).

Sample Runs: 
My 4:23 with a boogey tent death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w801eBROgA
My current PB: https://www.twitch.tv/ukobotic/v/109005918

Darkwing Duck

2016-12-29 03:44:04 pm

Highly Evolved

Game Name: Dokapon Kingdom
System: Wii
Category: Story Mode
Gameplay Estimate: 3:30
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10 minutes max

This game is a thing. Most people in my stream describe it as Mario Party + Monopoly + RPG. The back of the box describes the game as "The Friendship-Destroying Game!" There is a lot of randomness involved in this game, with a lot of craziness involved. Game battle mechanics are based on a trilogy of physical-magical-critical hits with corresponding defenses, a part of the game I'll tend to talk about quite a bit. Unique run. Game is designed to make you mad at any given opportunity, generally something my viewership looks forward to. Estimate is an hour over PB due to likely incentives and cautious/safety play.

Donation stuff:

Characters are very customizable. I think the character limit is around 20-24 for a name. Player can choose sex, job (for a speedrun, has to be specific, so this one's out), color, and face. Now incentives to have voice on. AI character has similar incentives with the exception of name. Can have donation for three different hairstyles with the possibility of running into 3 more possible styles.

I guess metering out the incentives:

One time incentive.

-Player name 20-24 characters
-Player sex
-Player color
-Player face type
-AI sex
-AI color
-AI face type

Continuous incentive.

-Player hair style.

http://www.twitch.tv/darkwing_duck_sda/v/16260440

Game Name: Little King's Story
System: Wii
Category: Any% Easy
Gameplay Estimate: 4:30
Ending: 10 minutes max

Not sure this is an RPG, but sure, why not?

Game a lot of viewers in my chat compare to Pikmin. Take control of your followers and throw them at things, usually enemies. Basic premise is to expand your kingdom via defeating enemies and upgrading your citizens and building more stuff as you expand your kingdom. Game has some of the most unique boss fights I've ever dealt with. For example, one boss fight is essentially a pinball game with the boss as the pinball and your followers act as flippers to an extent...in a game that's similar to Pikmin. Pretty safe game, marathon-wise. Only one really dangerous part, and I would save prior to it.

This is kind of a dark game wrapped in a cutesy looking facade.

This game does not any donation incentives I can think of. Player name, I suppose. Don't know total character limit currently, but I think at least 8.

https://www.twitch.tv/darkwing_duck_sda/v/106967453

Game Name: Dokapon Kingdom
System: Wii
Category:  Story Mode
Gameplay Estimate: 3:30
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10 minutes max

This game is a thing.  Most people in my stream describe it as Mario Party + Monopoly + RPG.  The back of the box describes the game as "The Friendship-Destroying Game!"  There is a lot of randomness involved in this game, with a lot of craziness involved.  Game battle mechanics are based on a trilogy of physical-magical-critical hits with corresponding defenses, a part of the game I'll tend to talk about quite a bit. Unique run. Game is designed to make you mad at any given opportunity, generally something my viewership looks forward to.   Estimate is an hour over PB due to likely incentives and cautious/safety play.

Donation stuff:

Characters are very customizable.  I think the character limit is around 20-24 for a name.  Player can choose sex, job (for a speedrun, has to be specific, so this one's out), color, and face.  Now incentives to have voice on.  AI character has similar incentives with the exception of name.  Can have donation for three different hairstyles with the possibility of running into 3 more possible styles.

I guess metering out the incentives:

One time incentive.

-Player name 20-24 characters
-Player sex
-Player color
-Player face type
-AI sex
-AI color
-AI face type

Continuous incentive.

-Player hair style.

http://www.twitch.tv/darkwing_duck_sda/v/16260440

Game Name: Little King's Story
System: Wii
Category: Any% Easy
Gameplay Estimate: 4:30
Ending: 10 minutes max

Not sure this is an RPG, but sure, why not?

Game a lot of viewers in my chat compare to Pikmin.  Take control of your followers and throw them at things, usually enemies.  Basic premise is to expand your kingdom via defeating enemies and upgrading your citizens and building more stuff as you expand your kingdom.  Game has some of the most unique boss fights I've ever dealt with.  For example, one boss fight is essentially a pinball game with the boss as the pinball and your followers act as flippers to an extent...in a game that's similar to Pikmin.  Pretty safe game, marathon-wise.  Only one really dangerous part, and I would save prior to it.

This is kind of a dark game wrapped in a cutesy looking facade.

This game does not any donation incentives I can think of.  Player name, I suppose.  Don't know total character limit currently, but I think at least 8.

https://www.twitch.tv/darkwing_duck_sda/v/106967453

mrjavascript

2016-12-29 04:38:13 pm

Game Name: Thief (2014)
System: PC (for optimal load screen times)
Category: Any% Master
Gameplay Estimate: 2:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:20

Pros:

+ Marathon-safe, RNG friendly
+ Game community growing in popularity for the 1300 point category

Cons:

+ Not well panned by the Thief fans
+ Has RPG elements (though none are used in the pure-stealth run) and the "Square-Enix" brand, though not considered a "traditional RPG"

Donation Incentive Offers:

+ Bank Heist DLC (+20 minutes to run time)
+ Any% 870 Points Upgrade (the most difficulty modifiers that can be added to a game while being safe for a marathon run)

Sample run video:

+ I'm honestly submitting this game just to see what happens. I've always wanted to see a Thief game ran at a SDA event (it's never been done), and would have no problems taking off work and flying out to do the run myself. The game is pure stealth with three modes of difficulty, with additional point based modifiers which can be included to boost the difficulty. If the donation incentives are met, the 870 point run would be the most difficult version of the game that can be ran at the event which is also marathon-safe (I'm personally on the official "870 point" leaderboard for all five platforms the game was released on.)

Overall the game is something different and I'm submitting mainly since I want to see a Thief game ran at a SDA marathon. To see the 1300 point challenge run I'm metioning (e.g. any mistake and the run is over), a new world record was set for the category a few weeks back (it's not me):

Game Name: Thief (2014)
System: PC (for optimal load screen times)
Category: Any% Master 
Gameplay Estimate: 2:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:20

Pros:

+ Marathon-safe, RNG friendly
+ Game community growing in popularity for the 1300 point category

Cons:

+ Not well panned by the Thief fans
+ Has RPG elements (though none are used in the pure-stealth run) and the "Square-Enix" brand, though not considered a "traditional RPG"

Donation Incentive Offers:

+ Bank Heist DLC (+20 minutes to run time)
+ Any% 870 Points Upgrade (the most difficulty modifiers that can be added to a game while being safe for a marathon run)

Sample run video:

+ I'm honestly submitting this game just to see what happens.  I've always wanted to see a Thief game ran at a SDA event (it's never been done), and would have no problems taking off work and flying out to do the run myself.  The game is pure stealth with three modes of difficulty, with additional point based modifiers which can be included to boost the difficulty.  If the donation incentives are met, the 870 point run would be the most difficult version of the game that can be ran at the event which is also marathon-safe (I'm personally on the official "870 point" leaderboard for all five platforms the game was released on.)

Overall the game is something different and I'm submitting mainly since I want to see a Thief game ran at a SDA marathon.  To see the 1300 point challenge run I'm metioning (e.g. any mistake and the run is over), a new world record was set for the category a few weeks back (it's not me): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxsMnOApoS0

bichphuongballz

Edit history:

bichphuongballz: 2017-01-03 10:46:49 pm

bichphuongballz: 2017-01-03 10:46:16 pm

bichphuongballz: 2017-01-03 10:46:13 pm

bichphuongballz: 2017-01-03 10:46:12 pm

bichphuongballz: 2017-01-03 10:45:41 pm

bichphuongballz: 2017-01-03 10:41:31 pm

bichphuongballz: 2016-12-29 11:04:57 pm

bichphuongballz: 2016-12-29 05:27:49 pm

2016-12-29 05:13:35 pm

bichGOAL

These are my individual submissions. Personal preferences: If ever there were a game that I wanted to play in a marathon, it would be FFL3. Everything else is icing on the cake.

Name: Final Fantasy Legend 3
System: GB played on SGB2
Category: any%
Estimate: 2:10:00
Ending/Bonus: ending is 11 minutes
Pros/Cons: SaGa may not be as popular as FF, but a substantial amount of people know the series and often remark how enjoyable, and how tough the games were. Taking advantage of the game like the any% speedrun does can be impressive to people who struggled. Thanks to catklaw's huge contributions, as well as smaller ones from elmagus and I, this route is very optimized, and is 30-40min faster than what was seen at C4L. We will be able to show off what can be done with the game very efficiently. Yes, the Xagor fight can be rough, but it can also be akin to tonic's Zoma fight in DQ3 where things are tense, but manageable, and hopefully entertaining as a result. Yes, the initial robot grind is pure RNG, but the estimate takes into account all the worst case scenarios. Lastly, yes, we do a lot of walking in this game, but between commentary and donations, I don't see a big issue here. On a side note, the soundtrack is also very good.
Ultimately, I believe any% is a better showcase for this game because it is more optimized, is substantially shorter in length, and past the robot grind, everything for the most part is smooth. There will theoretically be more people than just me who know the run, and we know that I will add my (PG) commentary spin. History has shown that I am very consistent with this game, within the confines of what the game actually allows.
Donation Incentives: Character names for Arthur/Curtis/Gloria/Sharon (6 character limit). Bad background color rolling bid war (see CFRM2).
Sample Video:
From CFRM2 which shows what a "no reset" can look like, plus the background color (although it did get owned by restream bitrate): https://www.twitch.tv/vulajin/v/98138823
My PB: https://www.twitch.tv/bichphuongballz/v/107154864

Side note: I have one idea in regards to the robot farm. I’m happy to grind it out like normal, but one possibility is to prepare a save ahead of time with a completed farm. I can switch to the save after an agreed upon time, and could even lower the estimate if this is an avenue that gets used. If character names are a thing, I can still do this if names get cut off an hour before the run. Alternatively, we could not do any of that.

Name: (The) Final Fantasy Legend
System: GB played on SGB2
Category: NA any%
Estimate: 1:20:00
Ending/Bonus: ending is just under 3 minutes
Pros/Cons: The SaGa game that started them all. The game that makes sense to no one and that most never finished. This run is almost completely predicable, has several save points built in, and goes by fast. While on paper the run is really simple, there's plenty to get into about what is happening in the game and why (mostly around monster progression). We will get through the game easily because of saw, but the boss fights do end up being lame because of saw. Meat is probably interesting at first, but maybe as the run goes on, meat becomes less interesting. All in all, this run’s greatest strengths revolve around smart use of its mechanics, and its reliability (past the first castle).
Donation Incentives: Name for the main character (the red bull) which has a 4 character limit. While other party members are used, they get cycled out at various parts of the run, so I'm not sure it's appropriate to name them. If it is, there are 7 other charcters that will come in.
Sample Video:
Scrubathon run: https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/107361645
PB: https://www.twitch.tv/bichphuongballz/v/111980977

Name: Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
System: SNES
Category: any%
Estimate: 2:20
Ending/Bonus: roughly 6 minutes for the ending.
Pros/Cons: Offering only as a race w/Feralpigman plus whoever wants to join (folks like magus and ddr come to mind). The game has had a bit of a break, and it may just be the time to remind the fans how glorious this speedrun is. Races are always a ton of fun, victory is never assured, and there will be plenty of suffering to entertain the people. There is always that chance that RNG skews towards one person, which would be unfortunate, but with enough people it becomes less of a thing.
Donation Incentives: Name the main character as many times as there are runners
Sample Video:
My PB: https://www.twitch.tv/bichphuongballz/v/40191578
Sample Marathon Race: https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/27419899

This is the main post for a SaGa Frontier co-op/relay involving myself, obdajr, dmcaether, and cha0stwitch. We would split up the scenarios amongst ourselves, and then run them back to back. The runners will of course, corroborate this on their own posts (obda already has). For reference, this submission would mark my 4th game.

Game: SaGa Frontier
System: PSX played on PS2 with FDS
Category: All scenarios
Estimate: 7:30:00
Ending/Bonus Content: Endings are built into the run time. No bonus content planned
Pros/Cons: This is probably the most popular SaGa game, at least outside of the GB ones, and has a lot to offer. We can start with aesthetics; the game looks and sounds great. From there, all of the scenarios are structured a bit differently, but they all encompass the same basic foundations. The scenarios are routed for completion with a minimal amount of looting/grinding so no single scenario overstays its welcome. There is a ton of flashy encounter dodging, and smart usage of party members and combos. All scenarios exists to give viewers the chance to experience the entire game, a feat many were probably not able to do themselves back in the day. The game’s major con comes in the form of RNG. You often need a lot of luck with many of the bosses, and should things not work out, a reset will be required. Thankfully, the game comes equipped with a quick save function and resets don’t cost too much. In general, bad RNG makes the run take longer, but never makes the run fail. Still, across 7 scenarios, I can’t deny that bad luck can definitely add up. Admittedly, the worst of it was seen at the very end of the SaGa 2016 vod, but different strats will make that portion (and others) more reliable. The fact that 4 of us get to focus on 1-2 scenarios also means we should perform better in general. Coupled with that, commentary is already built in since we will be there together, backing each other up.
Donation Incentives: character names for T2160, Lute, and Emelia. Name for the system file, and the blood type for the system file.
Sample Video:
All scenarios from SaGa 2016:

We are also offering a shorter race. For whatever the winning scenario is, 2 of us would race, and the other 2 would commentate. For the sake of transparency, we’d like to communicate that all scenarios is undoubtedly our preference for the game.

Name: Saga Frontier
System: PSX played on PS2 with FDS
Category: Emelia or Asellus race
Estimate: 1:00:00 (will account for either scenario, although Emelia is a slightly shorter run)
Ending/Bonus: endings are built into run times, but the bonus Blue run would add 35:00.
Pros/Cons: If all scenarios is too rich for your blood, a race of these scenarios will still showcase what a SaGa Frontier speedrun is all about: encounter dodging, careful routing, and the need for some hefty boss luck. The runners taking these scenarios are close in skill, and unless there are huge RNG swings, the races should be pretty tight. General pros/cons from all scenarios otherwise remain.
Donation Incentives: Bid war to choose a scenario (Emelia or Asellus). Bonus incentive to do a Blue run/race afterwards.
Sample Video: I will let the individual runners link their videos for these scenarios, but here is my vid for Emelia. Unfortunately my PB done at deuceler's house was never saved. https://www.twitch.tv/bichphuongballz/v/35539588

These are my individual submissions. Personal preferences: If ever there were a game that I wanted to play in a marathon, it would be FFL3. Everything else is icing on the cake.

Name: Final Fantasy Legend 3
System: GB played on SGB2
Category: any%
Estimate: 2:10:00
Ending/Bonus: ending is 11 minutes
Pros/Cons: SaGa may not be as popular as FF, but a substantial amount of people know the series and often remark how enjoyable, and how tough the games were. Taking advantage of the game like the any% speedrun does can be impressive to people who struggled. Thanks to catklaw's huge contributions, as well as smaller ones from elmagus and I, this route is very optimized, and is 30-40min faster than what was seen at C4L. We will be able to show off what can be done with the game very efficiently. Yes, the Xagor fight can be rough, but it can also be akin to tonic's Zoma fight in DQ3 where things are tense, but manageable, and hopefully entertaining as a result. Yes, the initial robot grind is pure RNG, but the estimate takes into account all the worst case scenarios. Lastly, yes, we do a lot of walking in this game, but between commentary and donations, I don't see a big issue here.  On a side note, the soundtrack is also very good. 
Ultimately, I believe any% is a better showcase for this game because it is more optimized, is substantially shorter in length, and past the robot grind, everything for the most part is smooth. There will theoretically be more people than just me who know the run, and we know that I will add my (PG) commentary spin. History has shown that I am very consistent with this game, within the confines of what the game actually allows. 
Donation Incentives: Character names for Arthur/Curtis/Gloria/Sharon (6 character limit). Bad background color rolling bid war (see CFRM2).
Sample Video: 
From CFRM2 which shows what a "no reset" can look like, plus the background color (although it did get owned by restream bitrate): https://www.twitch.tv/vulajin/v/98138823
My PB: https://www.twitch.tv/bichphuongballz/v/107154864

Side note: I have one idea in regards to the robot farm. I’m happy to grind it out like normal, but one possibility is to prepare a save ahead of time with a completed farm. I can switch to the save after an agreed upon time, and could even lower the estimate if this is an avenue that gets used. If character names are a thing, I can still do this if names get cut off an hour before the run. Alternatively, we could not do any of that.

Name: (The) Final Fantasy Legend
System: GB played on SGB2
Category: NA any%
Estimate: 1:20:00
Ending/Bonus: ending is just under 3 minutes
Pros/Cons: The SaGa game that started them all. The game that makes sense to no one and that most never finished. This run is almost completely predicable, has several save points built in, and goes by fast. While on paper the run is really simple, there's plenty to get into about what is happening in the game and why (mostly around monster progression). We will get through the game easily because of saw, but the boss fights do end up being lame because of saw. Meat is probably interesting at first, but maybe as the run goes on, meat becomes less interesting. All in all, this run’s greatest strengths revolve around smart use of its mechanics, and its reliability (past the first castle).
Donation Incentives: Name for the main character (the red bull) which has a 4 character limit. While other party members are used, they get cycled out at various parts of the run, so I'm not sure it's appropriate to name them. If it is, there are 7 other charcters that will come in. 
Sample Video: 
Scrubathon run: https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/107361645
PB: https://www.twitch.tv/bichphuongballz/v/111980977

Name: Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
System: SNES
Category: any%
Estimate: 2:20
Ending/Bonus:  roughly 6 minutes for the ending.
Pros/Cons: Offering only as a race w/Feralpigman plus whoever wants to join (folks like magus and ddr come to mind). The game has had a bit of a break, and it may just be the time to remind the fans how glorious this speedrun is. Races are always a ton of fun, victory is never assured, and there will be plenty of suffering to entertain the people. There is always that chance that RNG skews towards one person, which would be unfortunate, but with enough people it becomes less of a thing.
Donation Incentives: Name the main character as many times as there are runners
Sample Video: 
My PB: https://www.twitch.tv/bichphuongballz/v/40191578
Sample Marathon Race: https://www.twitch.tv/elmagus/v/27419899

This is the main post for a SaGa Frontier co-op/relay involving myself, obdajr, dmcaether, and cha0stwitch. We would split up the scenarios amongst ourselves, and then run them back to back. The runners will of course, corroborate this on their own posts (obda already has). For reference, this submission would mark my 4th game.

Game: SaGa Frontier
System: PSX played on PS2 with FDS
Category: All scenarios
Estimate: 7:30:00
Ending/Bonus Content: Endings are built into the run time. No bonus content planned
Pros/Cons: This is probably the most popular SaGa game, at least outside of the GB ones, and has a lot to offer. We can start with aesthetics; the game looks and sounds great. From there, all of the scenarios are structured a bit differently, but they all encompass the same basic foundations. The scenarios are routed for completion with a minimal amount of looting/grinding so no single scenario overstays its welcome. There is a ton of flashy encounter dodging, and smart usage of party members and combos. All scenarios exists to give viewers the chance to experience the entire game, a feat many were probably not able to do themselves back in the day. The game’s major con comes in the form of RNG. You often need a lot of luck with many of the bosses, and should things not work out, a reset will be required. Thankfully, the game comes equipped with a quick save function and resets don’t cost too much. In general, bad RNG makes the run take longer, but never makes the run fail. Still, across 7 scenarios, I can’t deny that bad luck can definitely add up. Admittedly, the worst of it was seen at the very end of the SaGa 2016 vod, but different strats will make that portion (and others) more reliable. The fact that 4 of us get to focus on 1-2 scenarios also means we should perform better in general. Coupled with that, commentary is already built in since we will be there together, backing each other up. 
Donation Incentives: character names for T2160, Lute, and Emelia. Name for the system file, and the blood type for the system file.
Sample Video: 
All scenarios from SaGa 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ7unvTzml4&list=PL8PZB25uZuZ7ec0gXym0nw2UH3LOXxP0-&index=3

We are also offering a shorter race. For whatever the winning scenario is, 2 of us would race, and the other 2 would commentate. For the sake of transparency, we’d like to communicate that all scenarios is undoubtedly our preference for the game.

Name: Saga Frontier
System: PSX played on PS2 with FDS
Category: Emelia or Asellus race
Estimate: 1:00:00 (will account for either scenario, although Emelia is a slightly shorter run)
Ending/Bonus: endings are built into run times, but the bonus Blue run would add 35:00.
Pros/Cons: If all scenarios is too rich for your blood, a race of these scenarios will still showcase what a SaGa Frontier speedrun is all about: encounter dodging, careful routing, and the need for some hefty boss luck. The runners taking these scenarios are close in skill, and unless there are huge RNG swings, the races should be pretty tight. General pros/cons from all scenarios otherwise remain.
Donation Incentives: Bid war to choose a scenario (Emelia or Asellus). Bonus incentive to do a Blue run/race afterwards.
Sample Video: I will let the individual runners link their videos for these scenarios, but here is my vid for Emelia. Unfortunately my PB done at deuceler's house was never saved. https://www.twitch.tv/bichphuongballz/v/35539588

osey889

Edit history:

osey889: 2017-01-18 10:14:17 pm

osey889: 2017-01-05 01:21:23 pm

osey889: 2016-12-31 04:19:12 pm

osey889: 2016-12-29 11:35:18 pm

osey889: 2016-12-29 07:01:30 pm

osey889: 2016-12-29 06:51:16 pm

osey889: 2016-12-29 06:41:29 pm

2016-12-29 06:35:58 pm

Name: Yokai Watch 2
System: 3DS (will need either ghouls or vulajins capture 3DS)
Category: Any% No S+Q/Passwords/QRCodes
Estimate: 4:50:00
Ending/Bonus: The credits can't be skipped and need to be seen. 5mins to see them.
Pros/Cons: Yokai Watch 2 is the most popular in the series thus far, with tweaks to the combat system, stats and progression of the game. Its a much longer game due to many mandatory side quests, but each one brings something different and at the end of each one there will be a bonus scene, where there is a random chance of a boo, great, or Jackpot reward that can lead to some great commentary moments. Add in the games amazing soundtrack, wacky boss fights, and overall charm this can make anyone find something to laugh at.
Downsides is that there is 5 yokai we must recruit in order to beat the game, and its pretty random. Estimate accounts for it to go badly. Not as many Boss fights as the first game, many are completely optional. Riding the train is the biggest downtime moments in the game, its pretty much 1-2 mins of waiting to arrive at the destination.
-extra pro: Ghoul is up for commentary, and together we can bring that great chemistry like last year
Donation Incentives: Play as Boy or Girl, Name MC, Name Jibanyan(PUNCHCAT!!!) Baddinyan, Faux Kappa, TattleTale, Miradox, and Brushido. Do work out routine at credits (will likely do so anyway). Fight the Dancing Grandpas boss! (adds five mins to the run)
Sample Video:
due to being unable to record with sound, here is a video with the credits to give an idea of what to expect

Name: Odin Sphere Leifthasir
System: PS4
Category: Any% Gwen's story, Any% Cornelius's Story, or Any% Oswald's Story
Estimate: 2:00:00
Ending/bonus: none here
Pros/Cons: Odin Sphere is cult classic PS2 Action RPG that recently received a HD remaster that includes several changes to the gameplay to make it a much more fast paced game
Known for its amazing handdrawn look back when it came out, the PS4 version makes it look even better now in HD, and it has almost 0 lag compared to the original. The speedrun uses high risk equipment to turn each character into glass cannons, but i have made small route changes to avoid any major time loss to a death.
Sadly the game can be seen a bit repetitive, you really only see a small handful of skills be used throughout any run, as its to slow to go out of the way for other useful skills.
Donation Incentives: Bidwar between Gwen, Cornelius, or Oswald's Story. these are the three of the five characters i am confident in a speed run marathon to showcase well.
currently I have the Marathon safe route done for Gwen's story on video, but not the other two characters atm. All three stories can be easily be done under 2 hours with bad luck.
EDIT: All runs are played on Normal Difficulty
Sample Video: https://www.twitch.tv/osey889/v/110768817 Gwens story
https://www.twitch.tv/osey889/v/111212255 Cornielius story
https://www.twitch.tv/osey889/v/115756235 Oswalds story

Name: Dragon's Crown
System: PS3
Category: Any% Dwarf
Estimate:n 2:20:00
Ending/Bonus: none
Pros/Cons: Dragon's Crown is another game by the same team as Odins Sphere, and as such has an amazing handdrawn look to it. This Beat em up RPG hybrid has many of what makes a good beat em up, with stuns, juggles, throws, and abusing invincibility frames. Played as the dwarf class for the fastest any% time, most of the run involves picking up and tossing every enemy into each other because for whatever reason, grab attacks can't be blocked. The game has a ton of variety to its boss fights, one of them being a little bunny from some holy grail movie you may know about.
Drops are random and sometimes its possible to get really really bad gear. estimate accounts for this. While the artwork is amazing there is a few....ehem lewd scenes that briefly show up.
Donation Incentives: Japanese or English voices
Sample Video:

Name: Yokai Watch 2
System: 3DS (will need either ghouls or vulajins capture 3DS)
Category: Any% No S+Q/Passwords/QRCodes
Estimate: 4:50:00 
Ending/Bonus: The credits can't be skipped and need to be seen. 5mins to see them. 
Pros/Cons: Yokai Watch 2  is the most popular in the series thus far, with tweaks to the combat system, stats and progression of the game. Its a much longer game due to many mandatory side quests, but each one brings something different and at the end of each one there will be a bonus scene, where there is a random chance of a boo, great, or Jackpot reward that can lead to some great commentary moments. Add in the games amazing soundtrack, wacky boss fights, and overall charm this can make anyone find something to laugh at.
Downsides is that there is 5 yokai we must recruit in order to beat the game, and its pretty random. Estimate accounts for it to go badly. Not as many Boss fights as the first game, many are completely optional. Riding the train is the biggest downtime moments in the game, its pretty much 1-2 mins of waiting to arrive at the destination.
-extra pro: Ghoul is up for commentary, and together we can bring that great chemistry like last year
Donation Incentives: Play as Boy or Girl, Name MC, Name Jibanyan(PUNCHCAT!!!) Baddinyan, Faux Kappa, TattleTale, Miradox, and Brushido. Do work out routine at credits (will likely do so anyway). Fight the Dancing Grandpas boss! (adds five mins to the run)
Sample Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szix5Jto-7c
due to being unable to record with sound, here is a video with the credits to give an idea of what to expect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMtmULlQcGc

Name: Odin Sphere Leifthasir 
System: PS4
Category: Any% Gwen's story, Any% Cornelius's Story, or Any% Oswald's Story
Estimate: 2:00:00
Ending/bonus: none here
Pros/Cons: Odin Sphere is cult classic PS2 Action RPG that recently received a HD remaster that includes several changes to the gameplay to make it a much more fast paced game
Known for its amazing handdrawn look back when it came out, the PS4 version makes it look even better now in HD, and it has almost 0 lag compared to the original. The speedrun uses high risk equipment to turn each character into glass cannons, but i have made small route changes to avoid any major time loss to a death. 
Sadly the game can be seen a bit repetitive, you really only see a small handful of skills be used throughout any run, as its to slow to go out of the way for other useful skills. 
Donation Incentives: Bidwar between Gwen, Cornelius, or Oswald's Story. these are the three of the five characters i am confident in a speed run marathon to showcase well. 
currently I have the Marathon safe route done for Gwen's story on video, but not the other two characters atm. All three stories can be easily be done under 2 hours with bad luck.
EDIT: All runs are played on Normal Difficulty 
Sample Video: https://www.twitch.tv/osey889/v/110768817 Gwens story
https://www.twitch.tv/osey889/v/111212255 Cornielius story
https://www.twitch.tv/osey889/v/115756235 Oswalds story

Name: Dragon's Crown
System: PS3
Category: Any% Dwarf
Estimate:n 2:20:00
Ending/Bonus: none
Pros/Cons: Dragon's Crown is another game by the same team as Odins Sphere, and as such has an amazing handdrawn look to it. This Beat em up RPG hybrid has many of what makes a good beat em up, with stuns, juggles, throws, and abusing invincibility frames. Played as the dwarf class for the fastest any% time, most of the run involves picking up and tossing every enemy into each other because for whatever reason, grab attacks can't be blocked. The game has a ton of variety to its boss fights, one of them being a little bunny from some holy grail movie you may know about. 
Drops are random and sometimes its possible to get really really bad gear. estimate accounts for this. While the artwork is amazing there is a few....ehem lewd scenes that briefly show up.
Donation Incentives: Japanese or English voices 
Sample Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXOQ1WDlOfA&t=2s

DMCAether

Edit history:

DMCAether: 2016-12-31 05:54:52 pm

DMCAether: 2016-12-29 08:13:15 pm

DMCAether: 2016-12-29 08:11:24 pm

2016-12-29 08:01:38 pm

This is a co-op submission between me and NachoYacopu.

Game Name: Rudra no Hihou (Treasure of the Rudras)
System: Super Famicom
Category: All Scenarios Glitchless
Gameplay Estimate: 7:20:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: Ending is 23 minutes long. But completely unnecessary to watch.
Pros/Cons: Please check Nacho's post for specifics, we discussed those together.
Donation Incentive Offers: Same as above.
Sample run video:

- https://www.twitch.tv/dmcaether/v/109424322 - My Sion Scenario PB
- https://www.twitch.tv/dmcaether/v/104671612 - My Riza's Scenario PB

And this one is my SaGa Frontier Co-op submission with Bich, Cha0s and Obda

Game Name: SaGa Frontier
System: PSX, on PS2 with FDS
Category: All Scenarios
Gameplay Estimate: 7:30:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: Nothing
Pros/Cons: Check bich's post, this is mostly to corroborate my submission.
Donation Incentive Offers: Same as above.
Sample run video: Same as above.

---

These ones are my individual submissions.

Game Name: Fushigi no Dungeon 2: Furai no Shiren (Mysterious Dungeon 2: Shiren the Wanderer)
System: Super Famicom
Category: TMTA (Table Mountain Time Attack)
Gameplay Estimate: 0:50:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: Ending is 10 minutes long, not necessary. Trap dungeon adds about 10 minutes or so.
Pros/Cons:

Pros:
+ Very fast paced game, has basically no downtime.
+ Makes for a very interesting watch since the run is really tense.
+ Fairly short for an RPG Run.
+ Clever item usage to avoid bad situations and reduce randomness.

Cons:
- Shiren series is fairly obscure outside of Japan.
- Can be a little hard to keep up because of complex game mechanics. (Could be solved with a dedicated commentator)
- Unsafe game, that's why my estimate accounts for a death and gives me a shot at it again.

Donation Incentive Offers: Name Shiren (6 characters), do Trap Dungeon.
Sample run video: -

Game Name: Ranma 1/2 Akanekodan Teki Hihou (Ranma 1/2 Treasure of the Red Cat Gang)
System: Super Famicom
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 3:20:00 (with english patch)
Ending/Bonus Estimate: Ending is around 4 minutes long, not necessary.
Pros/Cons:

Pros:
+ Goofy looking RPG, doesn't take itself seriously.
+ Can save everywhere, very safe game.
+ Most dungeons are pretty short, so it doesn't drag as long.

Cons:
- It's a game based on an anime, might not appeal to all.
- There's one area in the game that's really boring and long
- Endgame is just Ranma kicking bosses and the rest of the party giving support.

Donation Incentive Offers: Male/Female Ranma bidwar (Can enter menu and swap between Male and Female freely)
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/dmcaether/v/67455478

This is a co-op submission between me and NachoYacopu.

[b]Game Name:[/b] Rudra no Hihou (Treasure of the Rudras)
[b]System:[/b] Super Famicom
[b]Category:[/b] All Scenarios Glitchless
[b]Gameplay Estimate:[/b] 7:20:00
[b]Ending/Bonus Estimate:[/b] Ending is 23 minutes long. But completely unnecessary to watch.
[b]Pros/Cons:[/b] Please check Nacho's post for specifics, we discussed those together.
[b]Donation Incentive Offers:[/b] Same as above.
[b]Sample run video: [/b]

- https://www.twitch.tv/dmcaether/v/109424322 - My Sion Scenario PB
- https://www.twitch.tv/dmcaether/v/104671612 - My Riza's Scenario PB

And this one is my SaGa Frontier Co-op submission with Bich, Cha0s and Obda

[b]Game Name:[/b] SaGa Frontier
[b]System:[/b] PSX, on PS2 with FDS
[b]Category: [/b]All Scenarios
[b]Gameplay Estimate:[/b] 7:30:00
[b]Ending/Bonus Estimate:[/b] Nothing 
[b]Pros/Cons: [/b]Check bich's post, this is mostly to corroborate my submission.
[b]Donation Incentive Offers:[/b] Same as above.
[b]Sample run video:[/b] Same as above.

---

These ones are my individual submissions.

[b]Game Name:[/b] Fushigi no Dungeon 2: Furai no Shiren (Mysterious Dungeon 2: Shiren the Wanderer)
[b]System: [/b]Super Famicom
[b]Category: [/b]TMTA (Table Mountain Time Attack)
[b]Gameplay Estimate:[/b] 0:50:00
[b]Ending/Bonus Estimate:[/b] Ending is 10 minutes long, not necessary. Trap dungeon adds about 10 minutes or so.
[b]Pros/Cons: [/b]

Pros:
+ Very fast paced game, has basically no downtime.
+ Makes for a very interesting watch since the run is really tense.
+ Fairly short for an RPG Run.
+ Clever item usage to avoid bad situations and reduce randomness.

Cons:
- Shiren series is fairly obscure outside of Japan.
- Can be a little hard to keep up because of complex game mechanics. (Could be solved with a dedicated commentator)
- Unsafe game, that's why my estimate accounts for a death and gives me a shot at it again.

[b]Donation Incentive Offers:[/b] Name Shiren (6 characters), do Trap Dungeon.
[b]Sample run video:[/b] -

[b]Game Name:[/b] Ranma 1/2 Akanekodan Teki Hihou (Ranma 1/2 Treasure of the Red Cat Gang)
[b]System:[/b] Super Famicom
[b]Category:[/b] Any%
[b]Gameplay Estimate:[/b] 3:20:00 (with english patch)
[b]Ending/Bonus Estimate: [/b]Ending is around 4 minutes long, not necessary.
[b]Pros/Cons: [/b]

Pros:
+ Goofy looking RPG, doesn't take itself seriously.
+ Can save everywhere, very safe game.
+ Most dungeons are pretty short, so it doesn't drag as long.

Cons:
- It's a game based on an anime, might not appeal to all.
- There's one area in the game that's really boring and long
- Endgame is just Ranma kicking bosses and the rest of the party giving support.

[b]Donation Incentive Offers:[/b] Male/Female Ranma bidwar (Can enter menu and swap between Male and Female freely)
[b]Sample run video:[/b] https://www.twitch.tv/dmcaether/v/67455478

MaturedSinner

Edit history:

MaturedSinner: 2016-12-29 08:02:34 pm

2016-12-29 08:01:57 pm

Game Name: Severed
System: Wii U
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 1:45:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: ~7 minutes for the full credits song, additional 15 minutes for All Mementos

Pros/Cons: Severed is a new game from DrinkBox Studios for 2016 and is getting on quite a lot of best games lists. It is a first person dungeon crawler type game using the touch screen and stylus to swing a sword and interact with the environment. From its website, it is "An RPG-light adventure giving players autonomy over upgrade Paths" with "Touch based combat mechanics where players can employ offensive and defensive techniques against a variety of enemies" It is quite unique and catching growing attention.

The majority of the run is about 95% gameplay to 5% cutscenes. Puzzles are dealt with timely and dictate the flow. Battles are quick and often. Later fights can be sometimes risky, but death in battle puts the player a few steps before the fight at full health. Stylish visuals and quick movement from fight to fight and puzzle to puzzle dot the path.

+Unique Dungeon Crawler gameplay
+Fast fights and plenty of challenge
+Marathon safe as death only costs the time of the battle lost
-Lots of fights, some staler than others

Donation Incentive Offers: Casual vs Standard mode, the ratio and amount of damage for swings is greater in Casual; All Mementos, which collects Sasha's 3 mementos of her family and the most challenging fights of the game

Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/maturedsinner/v/110766537 part 1 All Mementos with commentary
https://www.twitch.tv/maturedsinner/v/110779184 part 2 All Mementos with commentary
Any% run without commentary

Game Name: Severed
System: Wii U
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 1:45:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: ~7 minutes for the full credits song, additional 15 minutes for All Mementos

Pros/Cons: Severed is a new game from DrinkBox Studios for 2016 and is getting on quite a lot of best games lists. It is a first person dungeon crawler type game using the touch screen and stylus to swing a sword and interact with the environment. From its website, it is "An RPG-light adventure giving players autonomy over upgrade Paths" with "Touch based combat mechanics where players can employ offensive and defensive techniques against a variety of enemies" It is quite unique and catching growing attention.

The majority of the run is about 95% gameplay to 5% cutscenes. Puzzles are dealt with timely and dictate the flow. Battles are quick and often. Later fights can be sometimes risky, but death in battle puts the player a few steps before the fight at full health. Stylish visuals and quick movement from fight to fight and puzzle to puzzle dot the path.

+Unique Dungeon Crawler gameplay
+Fast fights and plenty of challenge
+Marathon safe as death only costs the time of the battle lost
-Lots of fights, some staler than others

Donation Incentive Offers: Casual vs Standard mode, the ratio and amount of damage for swings is greater in Casual; All Mementos, which collects Sasha's 3 mementos of her family and the most challenging fights of the game

Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/maturedsinner/v/110766537 part 1 All Mementos with commentary
https://www.twitch.tv/maturedsinner/v/110779184 part 2 All Mementos with commentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7EObNYY45o Any% run without commentary

Freddeh

2016-12-29 09:22:00 pm

Serious Submission:

Game Name: I Am Setsuna
System: PC
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 4:00:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10:00

Pros:
+ Classic Chrono Trigger-style Combat, with a couple twists
+ Beautiful Game with Fabulous Piano-only Music
+ Pretty Decently Paced, no more than 15-20 minutes between fighting (and even then that's only I think twice)
+ Will likely have at least 3 people that have run the game there, so commentary should be pretty solid
+ Snow, everyone loves Snow! All the Snow!

Cons: - The fights are mostly repetitive and most are safe so its not the most exciting run (current route, that could definitely change by marathon time, and there are some exciting parts)
- Current route relies heavily on a couple rare drops, I have found marathon-safe ways of getting whats needed, but it can take time if I have to farm it and get unlucky (but not a ton, maybe 5 minutes total on bad luck)
- Short 10 minute grinding session for levels, ends up being one of the more interesting parts of the run to explain though.
- Run is probably a tad long for what it is.

Donation Incentive Offers: Character Name Bidwar: Endir, Setsuna (both 10 char), Skillname Bidwar: Luminaire (12 Char), [WIP]Harder Endboss (ask me for clarification) ~5:00, [WIP]Killing the Schwarzstrom Superboss ~5:00
The difficulty incentives are not ensured yet but from what we've looked at seem possible with the speedrun levels/group.

Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/freddeh/v/110339094

Mostly Serious Submission:

Game Name: Final Fantasy XII
System: PS2
Category: Any%
Estimate: 6:45:00
Ending/Bonus: 14:00 full cinematic, 5:00 for just singing
Pros/Cons: See Roostalol's submission

Just going to add here that I'll be available/perfectly willing to do a race/co-op if deemed a good idea (2v2 co-op race even?), but if you're taking just a solo runner please take Roosta or Hoishin, I'm perfectly happy couching!

Donation Offers: Singing end credit song, I can probably learn/want to do blindfolded Cid 1 or Start-Rogue Tomato as well.
Sample run videos: See Hoishin+Roostas submissions.

Totally 100% Serious Submission:

Game Name: Final Fantasy XII
System: PS2
Category: Order of Ambrosia (OoA)%
Estimate: 26:00:00
Ending/Bonus: 14:00 full cinematic, 5:00 for just singing
Pros/Cons:
+ What's better than 6 hours of FFXII? TWENTYSIX hours of it!
+ For a 100% run, its actually pretty entertaining throughout, spending far more time killing things and going to different locales than sitting around farming (there is some, but less every time we do the run)
+ Sometimes its just a good idea.

- This probably isn't the time for that good idea.
- It's really long, and I would feel bad bumping all these talented runners for my own marathon session.
- There isn't a 100%/Completionist runs only Side Stream yet.

Donation Offers: Singing end credit song, Choose the character you want to press the buttons in Garamsythe!
Sample run videos:
Part 1: https://www.twitch.tv/freddeh/v/61590595
Part 2: https://www.twitch.tv/freddeh/v/61592094

[b]Serious Submission:[/b]

Game Name: I Am Setsuna
System: PC
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 4:00:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10:00

Pros: 
+ Classic Chrono Trigger-style Combat, with a couple twists
+ Beautiful Game with Fabulous Piano-only Music
+ Pretty Decently Paced, no more than 15-20 minutes between fighting (and even then that's only I think twice)
+ Will likely have at least 3 people that have run the game there, so commentary should be pretty solid
+ Snow, everyone loves Snow! All the Snow!

Cons: - The fights are mostly repetitive and most are safe so its not the most exciting run (current route, that could definitely change by marathon time, and there are some exciting parts)
- Current route relies heavily on a couple rare drops, I have found marathon-safe ways of getting whats needed, but it can take time if I have to farm it and get unlucky (but not a ton, maybe 5 minutes total on bad luck)
- Short 10 minute grinding session for levels, ends up being one of the more interesting parts of the run to explain though.
- Run is probably a tad long for what it is.

Donation Incentive Offers: Character Name Bidwar: Endir, Setsuna (both 10 char), Skillname Bidwar: Luminaire (12 Char), [WIP]Harder Endboss (ask me for clarification) ~5:00, [WIP]Killing the Schwarzstrom Superboss ~5:00
The difficulty incentives are not ensured yet but from what we've looked at seem possible with the speedrun levels/group.

Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/freddeh/v/110339094

[b]Mostly Serious Submission:[/b]

Game Name: Final Fantasy XII
System: PS2
Category: Any%
Estimate: 6:45:00
Ending/Bonus: 14:00 full cinematic, 5:00 for just singing
Pros/Cons: See Roostalol's submission

Just going to add here that I'll be available/perfectly willing to do a race/co-op if deemed a good idea (2v2 co-op race even?), but if you're taking just a solo runner please take Roosta or Hoishin, I'm perfectly happy couching!

Donation Offers: Singing end credit song, I can probably learn/want to do blindfolded Cid 1 or Start-Rogue Tomato as well.
Sample run videos: See Hoishin+Roostas submissions.

[b]Totally 100% Serious Submission:[/b]

Game Name: Final Fantasy XII
System: PS2
Category: Order of Ambrosia (OoA)%
Estimate: 26:00:00
Ending/Bonus: 14:00 full cinematic, 5:00 for just singing
Pros/Cons: 
+ What's better than 6 hours of FFXII? TWENTYSIX hours of it!
+ For a 100% run, its actually pretty entertaining throughout, spending far more time killing things and going to different locales than sitting around farming (there is some, but less every time we do the run)
+ Sometimes its just a good idea.

- This probably isn't the time for that good idea.
- It's really long, and I would feel bad bumping all these talented runners for my own marathon session.
- There isn't a 100%/Completionist runs only Side Stream yet.

Donation Offers: Singing end credit song, Choose the character you want to press the buttons in Garamsythe!
Sample run videos: 
Part 1: https://www.twitch.tv/freddeh/v/61590595
Part 2: https://www.twitch.tv/freddeh/v/61592094

Liin

2016-12-29 09:50:08 pm

Game Name: Final Fantasy VI
System: SNES
Category: Any% No Sketch
Gameplay Estimate: 5:25:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:23:00 (ending)

Pros: It's FFVI - The combat system offers a lot of things to play with for speed while generally being well understood by viewers, and the story and characters are popular. The standard incentives are usually a big hit in marathons. For this category in particular, we get mileage out of a number of small glitches and oversights to make fights fast without outright breaking the story and game. Kefka's tower is tense when trying to scrape by with the bare minimums, making the endgame exciting.

Cons: It's FFVI - It's been in RPGLBs, GDQs and other marathons, and No Sketch doesn't differ at all story wise from last year's Glitchless run aside from a few minutes in Locke's scenario. Tier 2/3 of the final boss can always kill you no matter how you prepare, and there are some nasty random encounters to contend with as well. With safety saves and a generous estimate these are largely mitigated, but it can be a concern.

Donation Incentives: Names (Terra, Locke, Edgar, Sabin, Shadow, Cyan, Gau, Celes, Setzer, Strago, Relm, Mog, Gogo - 6 character limit), JerkBird vs GoodTaste background war, Suplex a train, Opera singing, save/kill Cid
If something different is desired, I'll also offer a bidwar for Sabin vs Edgar for the final party - however, this would have to be cut off about the same time as the opera stuff (after zozo, ~2 hours in) due to magic routing.

Sample Run Video: https://www.twitch.tv/liin1/v/109529546

Game Name: Final Fantasy VI
System: SNES
Category: Any% No Sketch
Gameplay Estimate: 5:25:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 0:23:00 (ending)

Pros: It's FFVI - The combat system offers a lot of things to play with for speed while generally being well understood by viewers, and the story and characters are popular.  The standard incentives are usually a big hit in marathons.  For this category in particular, we get mileage out of a number of small glitches and oversights to make fights fast without outright breaking the story and game.  Kefka's tower is tense when trying to scrape by with the bare minimums, making the endgame exciting.

Cons: It's FFVI - It's been in RPGLBs, GDQs and other marathons, and No Sketch doesn't differ at all story wise from last year's Glitchless run aside from a few minutes in Locke's scenario.  Tier 2/3 of the final boss can always kill you no matter how you prepare, and there are some nasty random encounters to contend with as well.  With safety saves and a generous estimate these are largely mitigated, but it can be a concern.

Donation Incentives: Names (Terra, Locke, Edgar, Sabin, Shadow, Cyan, Gau, Celes, Setzer, Strago, Relm, Mog, Gogo - 6 character limit), JerkBird vs GoodTaste background war, Suplex a train, Opera singing, save/kill Cid
If something different is desired, I'll also offer a bidwar for Sabin vs Edgar for the final party - however, this would have to be cut off about the same time as the opera stuff (after zozo, ~2 hours in) due to magic routing.

Sample Run Video: https://www.twitch.tv/liin1/v/109529546

Khobahi

Edit history:

Khobahi: 2017-01-05 10:54:49 pm

Khobahi: 2017-01-05 09:48:18 pm

Khobahi: 2017-01-05 09:47:45 pm

2016-12-29 09:59:43 pm

Game Name: Phantom Brave
System: PS2
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 2:50
Ending/Bonus Estimate: Unsure on ending timing never watched (will time)
Pros/Cons: One of the lesser known NiS America games (after the disgaea series) but a fun tactical RPG. Has one small grinding sessions to set up for a leveling trick that can... be annoying due to sounds (although some people find it funny). Only abuses ingame mechanics to allow you to beat the game. Decently fast paced once past the leveling stint. Cons: Levels are set, so its a execution run, though explanations can be done for why things are being done.
Donation Incentive Offers: Character namings, main ones would be the merchant and fighter used for the majority of the run. 4 Witches used early can be named too.
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/khobahi/v/45045108

Game Name: Final Fantasy IV
System: SNES
Category: Any% no64
Gameplay Estimate: 3:20:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-15

Pros/Cons:
+ Game is pretty optimized and fairly straightforward with some fun tricks
+ Great community that supports game and can help explain.
+/- small amounts of rng can lose time via back attacks an inopportune times.
- Seen in a decent amount of marathons lately
- Been at both RPGLB so far.

Donation Incentive Offers: Name Changes to Characters , Maybe Rosa vs Edge ending (have to look into where the cutoff would be during or if before run)

Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/khobahi/v/43205258 (not recorded PB as its in 2 parts, and actual PB unrecorded)

Game Name: Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
System: Super Nintendo
Category: Ancient Cave
Gameplay Estimate: 2:00:00

Only submitting this to be a back-up if one of the runners can't make it if the race get accepted.

Game Name: Phantom Brave
System: PS2
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 2:50
Ending/Bonus Estimate: Unsure on ending timing never watched (will time)
Pros/Cons:  One of the lesser known NiS America games (after the disgaea series) but a fun tactical RPG. Has one small grinding sessions to set up for a leveling trick that can... be annoying due to sounds (although some people find it funny). Only abuses ingame mechanics to allow you to beat the game. Decently fast paced once past the leveling stint. Cons: Levels are set, so its a execution run, though explanations can be done for why things are being done.
Donation Incentive Offers: Character namings, main ones would be the merchant  and fighter used for the majority of the run. 4 Witches used early can be named too.
Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/khobahi/v/45045108

Game Name: Final Fantasy IV
System: SNES
Category: Any% no64 
Gameplay Estimate: 3:20:00
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 10-15

Pros/Cons:
+ Game is pretty optimized and fairly straightforward with some fun tricks
+ Great community that supports game and can help explain.
+/- small amounts of rng can lose time via back attacks an inopportune times.
- Seen in a decent amount of marathons lately
- Been at both RPGLB so far.

Donation Incentive Offers: Name Changes to Characters , Maybe Rosa vs Edge ending (have to look into where the cutoff would be during or if before run)

Sample run video: https://www.twitch.tv/khobahi/v/43205258 (not recorded PB as its in 2 parts, and actual PB unrecorded)

Game Name: Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
System: Super Nintendo
Category: Ancient Cave 
Gameplay Estimate: 2:00:00

Only submitting this to be a back-up if one of the runners can't make it if the race get accepted.

pidgezero_one

Edit history:

pidgezero_one: 2017-02-10 07:04:55 pm

pidgezero_one: 2017-01-01 03:13:16 am

pidgezero_one: 2016-12-29 10:27:53 pm

2016-12-29 10:26:36 pm

Game Name: Super Mario RPG (Legend of the Seven Stars)
System: SNES or Super Famicom.
Category: Any%
Gameplay Estimate: 3:10-3:20 assuming the absolute worst possible RNG (3:05-3:15 otherwise), depending on whether I run the Japanese or English version. The Japanese version is about 9 minutes shorter from text speed alone, there are no other gameplay differences.
Ending/Bonus Estimate: 15 minutes

Pros:
Super Mario RPG is a mashup of RPG and platformer, and requires good skills typical of both genres in order for the runner to be successful. The platforming segments are pretty flashy and fun to watch, and include some challenging minigames like Booster Hill and the Moleville Minecart. There are quite a few scattered, short menuing segments in the game. Additionally, the turn-based battle system includes an action command system which can make or break some fights with the requirement of extra inputs for perfect execution. Altogether, these create a unique variety of gameplay within a single RPG speedrun, which keeps things consistently interesting and maintains a high action-to-cutscene ratio and means there is always something to talk about for the commentator.

Super Mario RPG is fondly remembered by most people who grew up with the SNES as one of their favourite games for its witty script, charming art style, and memorable soundtrack. This speedrun is popular with viewers who are nostalgic for the game as the speedrun does not rely heavily on glitches and acts as a showcase of interesting platforming, clever boss strategies, and long-term inventory management. There are no credits warps or major sequence breaks besides one visually impressive early boss skip. The only other major glitch used in the speedrun allows characters to learn special moves that are normally assigned to other characters, which creates some interesting visual glitches that viewers will find humourous.

SMRPG has seen a spike in popularity over the last year both in viewers and runners both due to its 20th release anniversary and inclusion as the finale of SGDQ during 2016.

Almost all damage in the game is calculated with static formulas (the only exception being your weapon output, which follows a range). There are no critical hits and very occasional misses on some fights. RNG only determines which attack an enemy uses, which the run is mostly routed around. Even in the rare worst case scenario of an unwinnable RNG fight, save points are abundant throughout the game and it results in only a minor time loss. I have never seen a mercy kill of this game in a marathon before. There are countless backup strats for almost any possible setback. It is a very marathon-safe game.

Cons:
-The English version of the game has some of the funniest dialogue on the SNES, but is rarely used due to the slower text. Running English will be slower, but running Japanese loses some of the appeal of the game.
-Super Jumps is an impressive technique (at its most tense it requires perfectly chaining 87 3-frame inputs in a row over the course of just over a minute), but it can be kind of a grind to watch as it is used on up to 9 bosses. It is also easy to drop the chained attack which can cause some minor time loss.
-I am not aware of any other speedrunners of this game attending, and commentating my own run would make me play a little bit slower than normal, but this is factored into my estimate.
-JRTA timing includes the ending credits, which adds approximately 12 minutes to the overall length of the run (this is factored into my time estimate).
-As explained above, while very rare, there are some battles where you can get completely screwed by attack pattern RNG and have to reload from a save point. Depending on the battle this can be a time loss of ~3 minutes.
-Unskippable cutscenes.

Donation incentive offers:
- Filename can be 1 to 8 characters.
- Peach Decapitation Glitch is a minor inconsequential glitch that happens during the cutscene where Peach joins the party. It looks pretty funny and adds about 3 seconds.
- Visit Link: Link has a small cameo in this game that is not showcased in the speedrun otherwise.
- Visit Samus: Samus has a lesser-known cameo in the game as well. This one will probably be popular with casual fans.
- 100 Super Jumps is a required technique in the game that requires chaining 87 3-frame techniques in a row without dropping. I am trying to learn this blindfolded and may offer this as an incentive.
- J vs U version (speed vs nostalgia) could be a possible bid war, but I am not sure how successful it'd be.
- Ending/Bonus Incentives: Fight Culex (a popular Easter egg optional boss inspired by Final Fantasy, using the boss battle theme from FF4)

Sample Run Videos:

Sample Self-Commentated Marathon Strat Run: - (3:02:22 J version) Recorded today.
Sample Marathon Run Commentated by Dorkmaster Flek: - (3:16:06 US version, would be ~3:07 in J) @ Games Finished Adequately 6. At this time my PB was about 4 minutes slower and I was a much worse player.
Old PB video: https://www.twitch.tv/pidgezero_one/v/109291316 - (2:55:46 J version) At the time of submission, this is my PB for 8th place on the speedrun.com leaderboards (~5.5 mins off WR)
I was also the only runner out of four top 15 ranked runners to finish in the Rollin' Deep Marathon race last night (3:02:05 J version), which I guess was good practice for playing safe in a marathon Smiley

Thank you for your consideration!

[b]Game Name:[/b] Super Mario RPG (Legend of the Seven Stars)
[b]System:[/b] SNES or Super Famicom.
[b]Category:[/b] Any%
[b]Gameplay Estimate:[/b] 3:10-3:20 assuming the absolute worst possible RNG (3:05-3:15 otherwise), depending on whether I run the Japanese or English version. The Japanese version is about 9 minutes shorter from text speed alone, there are no other gameplay differences.
[b]Ending/Bonus Estimate:[/b] 15 minutes

[b]Pros: [/b]
Super Mario RPG is a mashup of RPG and platformer, and requires good skills typical of both genres in order for the runner to be successful. The platforming segments are pretty flashy and fun to watch, and include some challenging minigames like Booster Hill and the Moleville Minecart. There are quite a few scattered, short menuing segments in the game. Additionally, the turn-based battle system includes an action command system which can make or break some fights with the requirement of extra inputs for perfect execution. Altogether, these create a unique variety of gameplay within a single RPG speedrun, which keeps things consistently interesting and maintains a high action-to-cutscene ratio and means there is always something to talk about for the commentator.

Super Mario RPG is fondly remembered by most people who grew up with the SNES as one of their favourite games for its witty script, charming art style, and memorable soundtrack. This speedrun is popular with viewers who are nostalgic for the game as the speedrun does not rely heavily on glitches and acts as a showcase of interesting platforming, clever boss strategies, and long-term inventory management. There are no credits warps or major sequence breaks besides one visually impressive early boss skip. The only other major glitch used in the speedrun allows characters to learn special moves that are normally assigned to other characters, which creates some interesting visual glitches that viewers will find humourous.

SMRPG has seen a spike in popularity over the last year both in viewers and runners both due to its 20th release anniversary and inclusion as the finale of SGDQ during 2016.

Almost all damage in the game is calculated with static formulas (the only exception being your weapon output, which follows a range). There are no critical hits and very occasional misses on some fights. RNG only determines which attack an enemy uses, which the run is mostly routed around. Even in the rare worst case scenario of an unwinnable RNG fight, save points are abundant throughout the game and it results in only a minor time loss. I have never seen a mercy kill of this game in a marathon before. There are countless backup strats for almost any possible setback. It is a very marathon-safe game.

[b]Cons:[/b]
-The English version of the game has some of the funniest dialogue on the SNES, but is rarely used due to the slower text. Running English will be slower, but running Japanese loses some of the appeal of the game.
-Super Jumps is an impressive technique (at its most tense it requires perfectly chaining 87 3-frame inputs in a row over the course of just over a minute), but it can be kind of a grind to watch as it is used on up to 9 bosses. It is also easy to drop the chained attack which can cause some minor time loss.
-I am not aware of any other speedrunners of this game attending, and commentating my own run would make me play a little bit slower than normal, but this is factored into my estimate.
-JRTA timing includes the ending credits, which adds approximately 12 minutes to the overall length of the run (this is factored into my time estimate). 
-As explained above, while very rare, there are some battles where you can get completely screwed by attack pattern RNG and have to reload from a save point. Depending on the battle this can be a time loss of ~3 minutes.
-Unskippable cutscenes.

Donation incentive offers: 
- Filename can be 1 to 8 characters.
- Peach Decapitation Glitch is a minor inconsequential glitch that happens during the cutscene where Peach joins the party. It looks pretty funny and adds about 3 seconds.
- Visit Link: Link has a small cameo in this game that is not showcased in the speedrun otherwise.
- Visit Samus: Samus has a lesser-known cameo in the game as well. This one will probably be popular with casual fans.
- 100 Super Jumps is a required technique in the game that requires chaining 87 3-frame techniques in a row without dropping. I am trying to learn this blindfolded and may offer this as an incentive.
- J vs U version (speed vs nostalgia) could be a possible bid war, but I am not sure how successful it'd be.
- Ending/Bonus Incentives: Fight Culex (a popular Easter egg optional boss inspired by Final Fantasy, using the boss battle theme from FF4)

[b]Sample Run Videos:[/b]

Sample Self-Commentated Marathon Strat Run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbPthKPcQwM - (3:02:22 J version) Recorded today.
Sample Marathon Run Commentated by Dorkmaster Flek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vehO84EoHys - (3:16:06 US version, would be ~3:07 in J) @ Games Finished Adequately 6. At this time my PB was about 4 minutes slower and I was a much worse player.
Old PB video: https://www.twitch.tv/pidgezero_one/v/109291316 - (2:55:46 J version) At the time of submission, this is my PB for 8th place on the speedrun.com leaderboards (~5.5 mins off WR)
I was also the only runner out of four top 15 ranked runners to finish in the Rollin' Deep Marathon race last night (3:02:05 J version), which I guess was good practice for playing safe in a marathon :)

Thank you for your consideration!