Region Differences in Speedrunning

Region Differences and Speedrunning

I feel like I need to write this, seeing as though I just got the Gran Turismo 1 Any% World Record back by way of Japan. I have a Japanese PS2 (SCPH-75000) for the purpose of running Japanese Gran Turismo 1/2, because all versions of each game are different in their own ways. Somehow the NTSC-J GT1 is the fastest, then NTSC-U, then PAL. This is the opposite case for GT2. PAL, NTSC-U, NTSC-J. Even the routes change per version, not that much, but it's different.

This cannot be changed or patched and certainly not punishable by moderators or people within the community. This should go for any speedrunning community. It's never not going to bother me. Speedrunning is done worldwide, so there are people running on different versions and have their discrepancies for other versions.

It has already gotten to the point where I have criticized other runs for being on different versions and different load times, because of where I live and what I can play on. I have no control over what people play on, nor can I force certain versions. Maybe other communities feel this way for their games, maybe not. This is what happens when the game is on a disc, released in different regions with different fixes/patches, and not a cartridge or PC. I don't want a community of runners who run on different versions taking shots at other runners for having a better RTA time, as opposed to strictly in-game, but I have done so, so I'd like to apologize.

Honestly, since this is an issue with pretty much just me in the Gran Turismo community, since I'm one of the only ones doing runs anymore, (Which is fine, people move on, don't have time, interest, etc) I'd almost want to just stop running GT altogether. Not because I don't like GT anymore, but there are so many differences, it's at a point where any 2 runs are way too different. I'm happy I'm getting into GBA runs, where these discrepancies don't exist, and it's all good.

I do feel like I'm not the only one who feels this way. Being passive-aggressive and keeping to yourself that you believe your time is better because the timer says so. And, GT being a racing game, people could argue that in-race time goes over all, and will take that into consideration when doing so. It's not like Pokemon with IGT, but something for people to cling onto.

The trials and tribulations of running a racing game really suck, is the whole point of this. It could be worse. GT could be more competitive and more and more non-speedrunners could play and make the same and worse accusations.

This could be a way of saying I'm done with Gran Turismo, but it's not, though I'm not gonna play for much longer, since there is almost nothing left to do. I can't run the same game forever with nothing to do.

If anyone reads this, keep this in mind when people start criticizing speedgames, speedrunners, etc. I don't speak for everyone, or anyone but me.