#esa2016

https://www.twitch.tv/esamarathon

The Freedom Planet Speedrun for #ESA16 will be starting… at some point either after Donkey Kong or Chip & Dale. So either in about 10 minutes or another 60 minutes. It’s been really hard keeping up with the perpetual schedule shifts for this event.

SuccinctAndPunchy will be running Lilac% and providing commentary.

If you don’t want to miss the run, tune in now! https://www.twitch.tv/esamarathon

(Art by @Pedrovin)

  (Art by @Goshaag)

  https://www.twitch.tv/esamarathon

Wishing good luck to @Succinct_Punchy with tonight Lilac run at ESA marathon.

– @Goshaag on Twitter  https://twitter.com/goshaag/status/758580310367952896

  Just a reminder that the #FreedomPlanet Lilac Run will begin at ESA Today in a matter of hours!

I always loved games. Part of the reason why is that they provided me with this escape from reality. Every game is an option for you to get into the shoes of some hero in some universe. Whether you want to be a space marine that fights hell spawns on mars or maybe you are a fan of Star Wars and you always wanted to be a Jedi. Or maybe you always wanted to build your own medieval village. Help it survive throughout tough winters. Games got you covered.

(photo hosted by www.dailymail.co.uk)

Downside to my hobby is that it was always associated with this stigma that games are only for children. It is actually quite hard to talk about games with someone outside internet. It isn’t just a problem that you need to find someone that shares your enjoyment for this hobby. If this would be the only problem I pretty much would be fine with it. Every hobby has this problem. The problem is that non-gamers just roll their eyes extra hard whenever you even start talking about it.

(The Big Bang Theory, Penny ruined my shot so I blacked her out. Sorry...)

Even if you would overcome the childish problem there is this game nerd problem. You like games? You are probably awkward, introvert, sweaty and do not have a girlfriend. Girls also play games you say? I agree. I know quite a lot of them. Guys only argument is actually great point for antigamers so they tend to leave girls out of the discussion. Understandably, of course. Anyway I like playing games we established that, but what if I would told you that I enjoy watching someone playing them.

(www.twitch,tv)

I think it all started with my older brother playing them and I would just sit along side of him. So when various stream sites started (among them Twitch) to rise in popularity I was actually quite happy. I have Twitch app on my android, I have it on my chrome and Wii U quick dial. One of my first download when I bought PS4 was a Twitch app. Various personalities from small to big play huge selection of games from indie to AAA and they stream it straight to the internet. You could be good at the game and provide some serious insights on the mechanics or you could be an entartainer and provide fun times and laughs or maybe you only watch. Either way you are welcomed.

(https://gamesdonequick.com/)

Now stay with me. There are people that will pick up a game and challenge themselves to reach the end as fast as possible. Games have bugs and glitches that can be exploited to skip some level, get your character faster or just annoy you. Speedrunners will break a game, dissect it and than submit their times for the internet to judge. They will breeze through difficult parts like it was nothing. They will use sometimes mind-boggling tricks that only they can understand and explain. GDQ events are this week long marathons where game after game is played 24/7. Some time I see games I did not know existed. Other time I see this exhibition of tricks achieved only by mastering the game. Or you could also tune in for some funny moments, they always happen. But why they play?

(They help less fortunate. That is all you need to know.)

You stared watching this stream and you listen to what is going on. In addition to runners you also hear this announcer that talks about donations from around the world. American speedrunning community gathers money for charity twice a year, this time for Doctors Without Borders. Some people chip in because they love the game, some just want to help, but there are also those that donate for the incentives. You can win a Kirby Plushy or a brand new Xbox One. Just donate and you will be eligable to enter the raffle. No matter the reason you are helping in the end with your contribution. On the time of writing this article Summer Games Done Quick raised $584,568. You cannot help because you do not have money to spare? Tune in and bump the viewers count for more visibility. You will also watch commercials that bring some additional funds. You just hate USA and you want this culture to die?

(http://www.europeanspeedsterassembly.com/)

Sweden is a cool place. They are quite open minded. They have Dreamhack. Vikings anyone? ESA is similar event only differnce is that this takes place on my continent. When checking the schedule you will see flags from all over the Europe playing. Which for some can be some additional motive for watching because in the end nationality is understandably a large portion of our culture. For me this small white and red flags mean a lot. I am sure to watch them even if form of a VoD.

(Those funny moments...)

Be sure to watch SGDQ 2016 now here.