postspeedrunning

Postspeedrunning is a term used within the speedrunning community to describe the practice of playing a video game or completing a specific task within a game after a world record has been set. It contrasts with the initial push to discover optimal strategies and achieve the fastest possible times. When a new world record is established, players who continue to run the game or category are considered to be postspeedrunning.

This phase of a game's speedrunning life often involves refining existing techniques, exploring minor route optimizations, or focusing on consistency rather than groundbreaking discoveries. It can also be a period where the community collectively works to shave off fractions of seconds from established records. For some, postspeedrunning is about personal bests and the satisfaction of mastering a game's mechanics to their fullest extent, even if the ultimate record is out of reach.

The term can also encompass situations where a speedrunning community might be less active, but individual players still engage in the practice. In essence, postspeedrunning signifies a continuation of engagement with a game's speedrun after the initial period of rapid progression and discovery has subsided. It highlights the enduring appeal of challenge and mastery within the gaming community.