Charity Speedrun Marathon
Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ, first event January 2010, annual since) is week-long speedrunning marathon raising millions for charity (Prevent Cancer Foundation). The event showcases speedrunning’s impressive skill while building community around competitive gaming.
Format: 24/7 marathon streaming speedruns; live audience; commentary explaining tricks/glitches
Growth:
- 2010: $10K raised
- 2023: $2.6M raised
- Lifetime: $40M+ total (AGDQ + SGDQ combined)
Cultural moments:
- “Waluigi time” (2019 Twitch ban speedrun)
- Blindfolded Punch-Out runs
- TASBot showcasing tool-assisted perfection
- Awful Games Done Quick (parody/spinoff)
Community: Brought speedrunning from niche hobby to mainstream awareness; many records set during events
Controversies: Strict conduct rules, political statements, runner bans
Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ): July counterpart benefiting Doctors Without Borders
AGDQ proved speedrunning’s entertainment value and gaming community’s charitable potential when organized effectively.
Sources:
https://gamesdonequick.com/
https://www.polygon.com/