Games Done Quick
Games Done Quick is a semiannual video game speedrun charity marathon held in the United States, originally organized by the Speed Demos Archive and Speedruns Live communities. Since 2015, it has been handled by Games Done Quick, LLC. Held since 2010, the events have raised money for several charities.
The two flagship events held by Games Done Quick are Awesome Games Done Quick, held in early January every year, which raises money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation, and Summer Games Done Quick, usually held in late June or early July every year, which raises money for Doctors Without Borders. Both events last for 7 days. In addition to these events, GDQ hosts several other broadcasts throughout the year including smaller marathons supporting different charities, one-off events for special occasions, and regular GDQ Hotfix programming throughout the year.
The events are broadcast live on Twitch. Viewers are encouraged to donate for incentives during the stream such as selecting the file name or main character's name in a run, having the runners attempt more difficult challenges, and entering raffles for the chance of winning prizes. Over $25.7 million has been raised across 25 marathons.
Format
Speedrunners take turns demonstrating their prowess at beating various video games in the quickest possible time, done in front of an audience as well as a livestream through Twitch. Sometimes these runs may be executed in an unusual or specific way, such as fully completing every level, completing a game blindfolded, or featuring multiple runners racing against one another to complete a game first. Video games run in Games Done Quick events include both retro and modern titles. The runs typically feature commentary from the runner or experienced commentators, as well as donation messages read by an announcer.Most of the popular runs feature video game glitches and discussion between the runner and the commentators, most frequently describing techniques or using observational humor and banter. Humor and banter is especially used for non-interactive or repetitive sequences that don't require the runner to use much or any skill. Donations from viewers may feature humorous comments that contain inside jokes among the speedrunning community, as well as more personal acknowledgements concerning the charity donated to. Because of the live broadcast and wider audience, runners and commentators are encouraged to refrain from using strong profanity and offensive behavior.
When donating, donors have the option to put their money towards a particular incentive. These incentives can be in the form of bonus speedruns, showcases of additional tricks or glitches or an in-game decision such as naming the player character.
History
Writer and speedrunner Eric Koziel identifies two important precursors to Games Done Quick: the "Desert Bus for Hope" donation drive organized by LoadingReadyRun in November 2007, and a series of charity speedrun marathons held by The Speed Gamers starting in March 2008.Users of the site Speed Demos Archive decided to hold a charity marathon in January 2010, during MAGFest 8. It was themed around 8-bit and 16-bit video games and thus dubbed "Classic Games Done Quick". Internet connectivity problems at the MAGFest hotel forced SDA administrator Mike Uyama to relocate the event to his mother's residence, but it raised over $10,000 for CARE.
Following that initial success, the first Awesome Games Done Quick marathon was held in January 2011, expanding from two days to five days, incorporating newer games such as and Portal, and raising more than $50,000 for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The first Summer Games Done Quick was held in August 2011, raising $20,000 for the Organisation for Autism Research. Since then, both Awesome Games Done Quick and Summer Games Done Quick have recurred annually, raising larger amounts each year.
A one-off additional marathon was held in March 2011 to support victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan; Japan Relief Done Quick raised over $25,000. In addition, a one-off promotional event was held on March 20, 2015 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the God of War franchise. Over the course of five hours, God of War Done Quick ended up raising $3,500 for The AbleGamers Foundation.
In 2020, Games Done Quick expelled a speedrunner for violating social media policies after the runner made remarks on Twitter that supported antifeminism and the far-right Spanish party Vox.
During the start of Frost Fatales 2020, they announced their new GDQ Studio to produce in-person live events outside of the normal marathons.
List of marathons
Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ)
Originally called Classic Games Done Quick, this annual marathon is held every year in early January raising money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation.| Dates | Venue | Charity | Amount raised | Notes |
| ' Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Virginia ' private residence | CARE | $10,532 | ||
| National 4-H Youth Conference Center, Chevy Chase, Maryland | Prevent Cancer Foundation | $52,520 | First event to be called Awesome Games Done Quick | |
| National 4-H Youth Conference Center, Chevy Chase, Maryland | Prevent Cancer Foundation | $149,045 | ||
| National 4-H Youth Conference Center, Chevy Chase, Maryland | Prevent Cancer Foundation | $448,425 | ||
| Crowne Plaza Dulles, Herndon, Virginia | Prevent Cancer Foundation | $1,031,667 | First GDQ event to raise over $1 million. | |
| Hilton Washington Dulles, Herndon, Virginia | Prevent Cancer Foundation | $1,576,085 | ||
| Hilton Washington Dulles, Herndon, Virginia | Prevent Cancer Foundation | $1,216,309 | ||
| Hilton Washington Dulles, Herndon, Virginia | Prevent Cancer Foundation | $2,222,791 | First GDQ event to raise over $2 million; as well as the first GDQ event to raise over $1 million in a single day. | |
| Hilton Washington Dulles, Herndon, Virginia | Prevent Cancer Foundation | $2,295,191 | ||
| Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Rockville, Maryland | Prevent Cancer Foundation | $2,425,790 | ||
| DoubleTree Hilton, Orlando, Florida | Prevent Cancer Foundation | $3,164,002 | Current donation record set at a GDQ event. Moved to Orlando, Florida to celebrate their 10th anniversary. |
Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ)
Introduced in 2011 as a companion to AGDQ, this marathon is usually held in late June or early July and raises money for Doctors Without Borders.| Dates | Venue | Charity | Amount raised | Notes |
| A participant's residence in West Bountiful, Utah | Organisation for Autism Research | $21,397 | ||
| A participant's residence in West Bountiful, Utah | Organisation for Autism Research | $46,279 | ||
| Sheraton Denver Tech Center, Greenwood Village, Colorado | Doctors Without Borders | $257,181 | ||
| Crowne Plaza Denver International Airport, Denver, Colorado | Doctors Without Borders | $718,235 | $82,985 of the funds were raised through the SGDQ 2014 Bundle. | |
| Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront, Saint Paul, Minnesota | Doctors Without Borders | $1,215,601 | ||
| Hilton Minneapolis Downtown, Minneapolis, Minnesota | Doctors Without Borders | $1,294,139 | First SGDQ to raise more than the AGDQ of the same year. | |
| Minneapolis Marriott City Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota | Doctors Without Borders | $1,792,342 | ||
| DoubleTree Hilton, Bloomington, Minnesota | Doctors Without Borders | $2,168,913 | ||
| DoubleTree Hilton, Bloomington, Minnesota | Doctors Without Borders | $3,039,596 | First GDQ event to raise over $3 million, and fastest to reach $1 million. First time an all-time donation record was set at SGDQ. | |
| Online | Doctors Without Borders | Delayed from the original date due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and later planned for an online event due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns. |
Games Done Quick Express (GDQx)
Games Done Quick Express is an annual 4-day marathon held at TwitchCon since 2018.| Dates | Venue | Charity | Amount raised | Notes |
| San Jose Convention Center | 10 charities | $139,878 | ||
| San Diego Convention Center | AbleGamers Foundation | $152,595 |