Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) returns to Twitch, bringing together over 150 world-class video game speedrunners to raise money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. AGDQ 2015’s uninterrupted 160-hour live broadcast takes place January 4 – January 10. Runners, organizers, and spectators alike will gather at the Hilton Dulles Airport Hotel in Herndon, Virginia, while online viewers can watch the stream live on the Games Done Quick Twitch Channel.
Speedrunning is the art of beating a video game as quickly as possible. These speedruns rely on tricks, extensive planning, the highest levels of play, and chaotic in-game interactions; resulting in a unique product of gaming and fandom. Speedruns allow runners to engage gaming in a unique and challenging perspective by optimizing and perfecting playthroughs as a means to further enjoy a game. AGDQ 2015 gives these runners not only a chance to show off their skills, but to do so with the aid of the inclusive speedrunning community. It’s a get together of talent, friends, and commentary – all from a big comfy couch.
Awesome Games Done Quick’s video game selection is as vibrant as ever. The massive list of games at AGDQ includes console classic Banjo-Kazooie, retro blasts such as Commander Keen 4-6, and modern hits like Dark Souls 2. With such a wide variety of great runs, it’s important to remember that not every great speedrun comes from a great game. With that in mind, AGDQ’s cult classic Awful Games Done Quick speedrun block returns! Awful Games Done Quick features hit bomb William Shatner’s Tek War and classic fast food tie-in Sneak King. These games may not have reviewed well, but their speedruns are a spectacle to behold.
The full schedule, featuring over 150 games and runners, is viewable here.
AGDQ 2015 hopes to start 2015 with the same passion of giving that resonated during AGDQ 2014. Over $1,000,000 was raised for the Prevent Cancer Foundation, with $200,000 raised during AGDQ 2014’s final run: Chrono Trigger. AGDQ 2015 plans to finish off just as strong, featuring a 100% completion The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time speedrun. This phenomenal act of charity was matched at sister-event Summer Games Done Quick 2014, where over $710,000 was raised for Doctors Without Borders. The gaming community has shown a deep compassion, and Awesome Games Done Quick looks to further strengthen the charity of gamers worldwide.
Awesome Games Done Quick organizer Mike Uyama reflected upon the success of AGDQ and the upcoming event.
“GDQs have grown tremendously over the past five years. It would have been unbelievable to think we’d go from 20 runners in my mom’s basement to over 500 attendees for AGDQ2014 and a 109,000 viewer peak. AGDQ 2014 was about making sure the event could keep growing at its heightened pace while raising money for charity and maintaining the fun, positive atmosphere we’ve had for years. With that success, I know we can match last year’s million dollars, I know the GDQs work because of the people involved, and it’s a great sign that there are already 600 registered attendees for AGDQ 2015.”
Donations to the Prevent Cancer Foundation can be made directly to the charity via the viewing page available at GamesDoneQuick.com. Donors are entered to win community-donated prizes and to have their comments read live on stream or via a ticker on the Games Done Quick front page. There are additional donation options available through a Twitch subscription to the Games Done Quick channel and purchasing Games Done Quick shirts via TheYetee.com, with all profits from sales going towards fundraising causes. For SGDQ 2014, Humble Bundle teamed up with Games Done Quick for a specialized SGDQ 2014 bundle.
For more updates, spectators are encouraged to follow the Games Done Quick Twitter feed at @GamesDoneQuick or visit GamesDoneQuick.com
