Paper Mario Leaderboards + Categories Overhaul

Paper Mario is an ever-evolving game in regards to speedrunning. When the community first came together a few years ago, there was simply an Any% and a 100% category.  As the game evolved, new categories were created to supplement that evolution.
First All Cards was formed, as Any% allowed for skipping multiple whole chapters. All Cards was always seen as the “All Dungeons” of the Paper Mario Community.  When Any% was broken with even further with Peach Warp, it allowed for skipping almost every other chapter. These new changes to the game killed the fun for a lot of runners so Any% no WW was created. While this was seen by some in the community as an unnecessary category, the greater majority of the community wanted it, so it was put in place.

With potential new skips on the verge of being found, and the desire for the community to have categories that offer different experiences for the runner, we’ve decided to take on a new direction with how the Paper Mario Leaderboards will be viewed.
We’re introducing the “Tier System.” The Tier system is similar to what is being proposed for the SRL Leaderboards that are being worked on.  In its current state the Tier System will have two levels: Tier 1 and Tier 2. The Following is the breakdown :

Tier 1: Any% + All Cards
Tier 2: Any% No PW, Glitchless, All Bosses, and Chalkboard Collection

Tier 1 Categories are aimed to be the Competitive “Tryhard” categories that people can compete in and are what newer players will be encouraged to pick up to get a start in the community. Categories in Tier 1 will still be able to constantly evolve with new skips and push the meta forward and not grow stale as new tricks are found.

While the Tier 2 Categories will viewed as less serious, but will have a leaderboard with times and distinct rules. They will be listed on the Leaderboard under the two main categories. We feel each of these categories in Tier 2 still offer some fresh and new and will allow runners to enjoy running Paper Mario in new ways. These categories still have room to evolve as well, but are seen as secondary categories.

One of the main reasons for the new change is due to the future of the game. Right now Any% and All Cards are good opposites of each other. Any% is the standard any% of speedgaming, beat the game as fast as possible doing whatever it takes. While All Cards is beat the game as fast as possible, while still collecting each “Card: from each Chapter.

Any% No WW simply was becoming the “Old Any% Route” in many eyes, but still had strong support to remain a category by main old runners. (I personally wasn’t in favor of Any% No WW as a category at all until we decided to make this new system, which now it makes sense to have it.)

There are also enough glitches in this game for it to warrant a Glitchless category, and a lot of people like the idea of running that category.

All Bosses is new category that offers something different, as there are many optional “bosses” throughout the game that you don’t see in any of the current runs, and would add a lot of cool routing functions, and new badges being used. There are also new glitches and skips that would be able to be shown off with this new category. The list of bosses is here : http://shrines.rpgclassics.com/n64/papermario/bosses.shtml

Finally Chalkboard Collection is the Paper Mario’s attempt at a Pseudo 100% category. Defining 100% never made sense for Paper Mario due to there really isn’t a % counter in the game. What the game does have is a Chalkboard in Mario’s House that lists a checklist. On this checklist is Star Pieces, Badges, Recipes and Quizmo Quiz Questions. In this category the runner would be required to check the chalkboard right after beating bowser, and before the Credits. ( You have access to Mario’s House right before you enter Peach Castle for the end timing.)

We Feel these categories will help bring in new runners, and allow “Non-Arbitrary” categories at the top that people can compete in,
while still having more fun focused categories that people can route and compete in under them.
If this is something that interests you and would like more information below are resources that

Paper Mario IRC Channel = #PaperMario
I encourage anyone who is interested in running the game or routing to join the channel. This will be the main hub where decisions for the community are decided, and where discussions on routing, races, and other Paper Mario related topics will take place

New Leaderboards = http://bit.ly/PMLBS
This is the link to the new Leaderboards for the Paper Mario Community. We plan on adding a Rules Tab, as well as the other games in the series, over the next few days so this is still a work in Progress. Users will be able to submit soon as well.

Paper Mario Speedrunning Wiki = http://papermariorta.wikia.com/wiki/Paper_Mario_RTA_Wiki
This is a great resource for getting a general idea of how to run the game. Many routes and tricks are listed here. While the site itself needs a rework of it’s own, and a few updates, a good place to go for a start.

Also to celebrate the new change in the Community, we will be hosting a Big Race at 5 PM EST on Saturday the 6th (tomorrow) of the Glitchless Category. If you have any interest in running any of the categories, this is a great way to meet people in the community and play a very noob friendly category. We even have a route if you’re interested! (http://pastebin.com/QhwiiKJD)

We as a community are excited about finally having structure for our game, and we look forward to new people who wish to play the game with us. See Ya Around 