SpeedRunners

SpeedRunners is a multiplayer side-scrolling racing game developed by DoubleDutch Games and published by tinyBuild.[1][2] Originally a free web browser game titled SpeedRunner and later an Xbox 360 game by the name SpeedRunner HD on Xbox Live Arcade,[3] SpeedRunners was released on Steam on 26 August 2013 into Steam Early Access, and as a full game on 19 April 2016.[4][5] SpeedRunners was released on Xbox One in June 2017 as a Games with Gold title.[6] A Nintendo Switch version was released on 23 January 2020.[7] It was recognized as an esport by the Electronic Sports League in July 2015.[8] However, due to decreasing activity the SpeedRunners section was ended on 28 August 2016 when the final community cup was held.[9]

For the gaming discipline, see Speedrunning.

SpeedRunners
Developer(s)DoubleDutch Games
Publisher(s)tinyBuild
Producer(s)Alex Nichiporchik
Designer(s)Casper van Est
Programmer(s)Gert-Jan Stolk
Artist(s)Tom Brien
Composer(s)SonicPicnic
EngineMicrosoft XNA
Platform(s)
Release
  • Windows, OS X, Linux
  • 19 April 2016
  • Xbox One
  • 1 June 2017
  • PlayStation 4
  • 5 July 2017
  • Nintendo Switch
  • 23 January 2020
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay
Screenshot of gameplay

SpeedRunners is played as a fast-paced side-scroller. Players compete with each other to outrun their opponents by using grappling hooks, power-ups, items, and interactive environments. The screen moves with whoever is currently in the lead. Falling behind far enough off the screen results in being eliminated. After a player is eliminated, the screen will start to get smaller, making it harder to stay alive. If no one gets eliminated in a set time, the screen will automatically start to get smaller.

When all but one player is eliminated, the last player standing wins the round. The shrunken screen is restored to its original size, and another round starts after a countdown. A player must win 3 rounds to win the match altogether.

Players are able to pick Trails (which show when a player is Sprinting) and a Character. Additionally, most Characters come with 4 different Skins, which change their color. Players can also form teams of 2 players before starting a match. Teams need to win 4 rounds instead of 3, and players in teams also share their Sprinting Meter.

As the player progresses they earn experience based on their performance. Getting enough experience points causes the player to level up which unlocks new power-ups, levels, characters, and skins.[10] While most skins in the game are purely cosmetic, there is one mystery skin that hinders the players ability to play by giving them disadvantages in power ups and speed debuffs.

Reception

Kotaku's Alex Jones termed SpeedRunners as "competitive multiplayer Mario that Nintendo should've made".[1] PC Gamer's Emanuel Maiberg said it to be a "fully realized idea", with the exception of "occasional bug and some rough art assets".[2] Rock, Paper, Shotgun's Ben Barrett praised the game's simplicity.[15]

SpeedRunners won the Gamer's Voice Award in the 2015 SXSW Gaming Award,[16] the 2014 Best Multiplayer Game Award by Indie DB,[17] and was nominated for Best PC/Console Game at the 2012 Dutch Game Awards.[18]

The game received criticism from Brett Posner-Ferdman who reviewed the game on Nintendo Switch for Nintendo World report, who criticised the game for lacking story mode, having little content outside multiplayer and for locking content behind DLC.[14]

References
  1. Jones, Alex (22 May 2015). "Speedrunners is the Competitive Multiplayer Mario That Nintendo Should've Made". Kotaku. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  2. Maiberg, Emanuel (31 July 2014). "SpeedRunners review (Early Access)". PC Gamer. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  3. Smith, Adam (24 June 2013). "Hook, Line And Sprinter: SpeedRunners". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  4. Byrd, Matthew. "SpeedRunners Gets an Official Release Out of Early Access". Twinfinite. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  5. "SpeedRunners on Steam". Steam. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  6. Nelson, Major (31 May 2017). "SpeedRunners Is Now Available For Xbox One". Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  7. "SpeedRunners Is Finally Racing Onto The Nintendo Switch". Nintendo Life. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  8. "SpeedRunners 1on1 Summer Series #1 Europe". ESL Play. Electronic Sports League. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  9. ESL, "Time to say goodbye to our SpeedRunner section!", 28 August 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  10. "SpeedRunners - 4 Player Grappling Hook Elimination". tinyBuild GAMES - Indie Game Developer And Publisher. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  11. "SpeedRunners for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  12. "SpeedRunners for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  13. "SpeedRunners Review (Switch eShop) | Aces high". Nintendo Life. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  14. Posner-Ferdman, Brett (3 February 2020). "SpeedRunners (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  15. Barrett, Ben (27 August 2013). "Gotta Go Fast: SpeedRunners". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  16. "SXSW Gaming Awards Highlights". South by Southwest. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  17. "Indie of the Year 2014 - Editors Choice feature - SpeedRunners". Indie DB. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  18. "Nominees Dutch Game Awards 2012". Dutch Game Awards. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
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