SGDQ2016 restrospective

This was the best GDQ I've been to.  From the day submissions opened until the final hour of the marathon, the organizers did a fantastic job.  Dates were communicated clearly, tech setup was efficient, game selection and schedule took risks, all the third party contributors were great, atmosphere was welcoming and fun, and the location was much better than last year's.  There are some things I will suggest for improvement when the feedback thread shows up but overall everything was positive.  I'm also happy that the marathon still raised over a million even with the perceived risks taken with the schedule.

I did two runs: New Super Mario Bros and Serious Sam the Random Encounter.  At first only Serious Sam was on the schedule and NSMB was a backup game.  I was disappointed at first because SSTRE was mostly a joke game to me. After my GDQ run I have 12 hours clocked on Steam.  This game was also featured in RPG Limit Break.  So shoutouts to meme games for making their way into two major marathons.  I was thrilled when I was informed NSMB would be in the marathon.  This was the game I really wanted to do and I think I put on a good show for it.  My streak of good luck in marathon runs continued with getting the blue shell in 1-2.  I wasn't sure if the fireworks thing would be received well or not but the crowd seemed to like it and also thanks to my backup couch for starting the claps for every firework to get the crowd (and even the tech crew!) involved with the run.  Overall, I'm happy with my performance and I'm once again thankful for the opportunity to help a good cause.

I couched for a handful of runs.  Tetris Attack, Trauma Center, and Two Worlds.  I was getting compliments for my commentary throughout the marathon, especially for the Trauma Center run.  I'm glad I could help these runs be showcased in the best possible light.

I was floored when I saw Tetris Attack had a packed stream room.  I honestly didn't think it was going to draw such a crowd especially for a short race.  This game means a lot to me and to the community so to anyone who watched or will watch the VOD later I want to say thank you on behalf of the Puzzle General community.  Congrats to CardsoftheHeart for winning the race and the other runners for putting on a great performance.  This was a really fun couch to be part of.

Irisjoker killed it with Trauma Center.  This was a really good showing for a marathon.  SZSK, the Japanese runner and former WR holder, was live tweeting during the entire run.  Trauma Center was even trending on Twitter during the run.  Excellent run, excellent couch, excellent everything.  It's a shame it had to be at the 4am time slot.  I hope this run gives New Blood co-op a shot at making it to a future GDQ.

And then there's Two Worlds... what a video game (I've said this phrase too much this week but who cares).  Chops, Albino, and I did a joke run of 3 players 1 kbm at AGDQ earlier this year.  Who would have thought our stupid run would get us on the couch for Two Worlds but with a run as silly as this I don't think it could have gone any other way.  Shaddex was so happy to do this run and it showed in the enthusiasm he had.  This was my favorite run to be a part of.  What a great speedrun.  If you didn't see it go watch it now, it will only take a few minutes of your time.

As far as what I'm doing now... I'm actually not sure what.  All the runs I submitted got in the marathon.  Any game I have interest in running either has a better runner or has an unlikely chance of getting a repeat run anytime soon.  I have a few ideas in mind such as NSMB Warpless but I have doubts of it getting in two marathons in a row.  There's also a massive library of bad games on the 3DO that are waiting to be discovered for the awful block so maybe I'll get in a run that way.  Who knows.  I probably have a couple months to figure this out.  Main issues with speedrunning right now is finding the time and motivation for it.  As far as general stream stuff goes I'll still be doing dumb randomizers with Keizaron and I'm thinking of doing 3DO stream regularly, maybe once a week, as a way for me to discover games on the console and to share the hot garbage that this console has to offer.  I still need to find an RPG for a Limit Break submission as well.

And finally, the best part of GDQs is seeing all my good friends.  It doesn't get old.  If there's anything that will keep me coming back it's an opportunity to see everyone.  As long as I'm able I will keep going to these events.  Thanks to everyone who was apart of my time at SGDQ no matter how large or small.  Life can be difficult at times and having a week like this to look forward to and just drop the worries of life, work, and whatever else I'm up against at the time is liberating.  The post-event depression is setting in as it always does and it makes me wish more of my friends lived closer to me but that's just how it is.  It's still worth it to me.  I want to give shoutouts to people and I know I'd end up forgetting someone by accident so I'll hold off on it for now, maybe on another pastebin for that hot #pastebinmonday post.

Until next time, I'll see you guys in January at AGDQ 2017.