Our rules are based off the GDQ rule set.
Runners must adhere to these rules in order to have their submission be considered valid:
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Runners and games must be eligible to appear on stream according to Twitch's Terms of Service.
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Submissions of games found on this list: https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/list-of-prohibited-games?language=en_US will not be considered and will be immediately rejected.
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Runners must be 18 years of age by the first listed date of the event.
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Submissions must include a video of the game and category indicated, played by the submitter to completion. It must include anything they plan to show off during the event, including cutscenes and text. Estimates should be in real time, and not an in-game timer or other alternative timing method.
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All participants in a multiplayer/co-op run or race must submit the same game and category
Standard Speedruns
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Runners submit their games one at a time during the submission period. Take your time on each submission, and don't worry, submissions will not be accepted or denied until the submission period is over.
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Runners may submit categories that do not include completing the game. Examples of this include, Path of Legends in Pokémon Scarlet/Violet, Paladin% in FFIV, or Bingo submissions. Such submissions should still include a video of the category being played to its point of completion and comply with all other noted guidelines.
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Runners are responsible for providing their own commentary and any additional commentators needed during their run. Unless otherwise noted, a maximum of 4 people including the runners may commentate a run.
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We assume that all runs are performed without any third-party modifications to the game. Please reach out to us if your run requires a third-party modification to function.
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Console-based games should be run on original console hardware or an official digital port such as Wii VC/Sony PSN/Steam.
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For people submitting onsite runs, we expect you to be able to perform your run at any time on days you have marked as available.
Races and Race Considerations
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Please be aware that submitting your game as a race does not guarantee its status as one and that the Games Committee reserves the right to modify the number of runners involved in any submission, for any reason.
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We can support a maximum of 4-way races. We evaluate technical requirements and the watchability of the race when judging submissions.
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Consider if it is possible for the race to be a blowout due to skill or RNG, or if runners can recover from a mistake during the race to prevent it from becoming a blowout.
Skill / Rhythm Showcases
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Alternative showcases that aren't purely speedruns are welcome and encouraged. These types of submissions should show a high level of skill.
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Examples of high-level showcases: Stepmania (AGDQ 2023), Tetris: The Grand Master (AGDQ 2015), Clone Hero (AGDQ 2020), Rocket League (AGDQ 2022).
TAS (Tool Assisted Speedrun)
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Video playback for TASes is permitted for TASes that cannot be console-verified.
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TASers should submit individually, rather than jointly. Their runs will be treated individually, like other speedruns with full, proper attribution.
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For any TASes that are accepted into the event, IAA staff will hold a meeting with them to discuss any specific issues or requirements to ensure the best possible experience both for the runners and the viewers.
Online Run Considerations
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At this time GDXpress is not able to accommodate online runs.
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and category
What the Games Committee looks for in run submissions
We will take into account the content of the video you are submitting in its entirety. This includes the commentary of anyone featured in it. Overly inappropriate content in your submission may lead to a denial of your run(s).
When we evaluate a run, we discuss it amongst ourselves and ask multiple questions, such as:
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Is the runner's time a competitive time? We look at public leaderboards such as speedrun.com - we may look unfavorably at runs that are far from a world record in time/standing.
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If there is commentary present, is it informative? Does the runner's commentary add to the enjoyment of the game? We may choose a more interactive and entertaining runner over one with a faster time if the two times are fairly close.
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Is the game entertaining on its own merits? Does that entertainment value translate well to a wider audience? Does the runner do a good job of presenting the run to an audience that may not know the game?
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How consistent are runs of this game? Can the run be reliably completed, or is there a risk of run-ending bad luck or mistakes?
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If the game is long, such as an RPG, does it have enticing potential donation incentives? Does it have nostalgia in its favor? Does the run stay entertaining throughout the duration of the run?
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Has the game been in our events or other speedrunning events before? How did it perform there?
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Has the runner dropped a run unreasonably, or previously been a no-show?
Disallowed Games
The following list of games have content, views, or an origin that we have deemed unsuitable for our stream. As a result we will not consider submissions of these games:
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Games with an ESRB rating of Adults Only.
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Any game that is prohibited on twitch: https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/list-of-prohibited-games?language=en_US
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Air Control
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America's Most Wanted
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Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden
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Five Nights at Freddy's Series*
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Frog Fractions
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God of War (2005)
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Harry Potter Series, including Hogwarts Legacy*
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Huniepop Series
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Ion Fury
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Kurovadis
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Eroico
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Natsuiro High School: Seishun Hakusho
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Rocko's Quest
* Subject to further review in the future.
This list is non-exhaustive and may be altered at any time.
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