Games Done Quick Raises Millions for Charity Through Speedrunning

Games Done Quick (GDQ), a charity speedrunning event series, concluded its first 2024 event, Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ), raising over $2.5 million for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Speedrunning involves completing video games as fast as possible, with community-defined categories like any%, 100%, and glitchless. GDQ events feature live-streamed speedruns on Twitch, with commentary explaining techniques. AGDQ 2024 included unusual feats like a Shiba Inu controlling a game and Super Mario 64 played with a dance pad. GDQ's atmosphere is inclusive, avoiding toxic gamer language. The next event, Frost Fatales 2024, will support the National Women’s Law Center from March 3-10. Speedrunning combines practice, research, and glitch exploitation to reveal game mechanics beyond surface appearance.