Summary
On December 5, 2024, the gaming world witnessed the release of Symphonia for Xbox Series X|S. This title is a thrilling mix of custom level design, precision platforming, and special features perfect for speedrunning enthusiasts. Dive deep into the speedrunning universe, gaining insights and tips from players who have mastered the art.
From the very beginning, Symphonia was crafted with the intention to reward players who master control and timing. It might have started as a project aiming to introduce classical music to a broader audience, but it soon became evident that its smooth mechanics and flexible level design made it particularly appealing for the speedrunning community. Countless hours were dedicated to refining character controls for this purpose, resulting in a game that is gratifying whether played casually or competitively, with hidden depths for those willing to dive deeper. This vision laid the groundwork for Symphonia’s core mechanics and collectible features.
In Symphonia, we’ve added a few elements designed to elevate the challenge, tailored for thrill-seekers. The journey centers around Philemon, a violinist navigating the tranquil world of Symphonia with the mission to reunite the prodigies of each orchestral section. His secret weapon? His violin bow. As players progress, they unlock new mechanics that enable them to traverse levels in imaginative ways. Philemon’s bow transforms into a pogo stick, a catapult, and a grapple, making it a thrill to flawlessly soar across each stage. The precision required to utilize each pixel perfectly ties in seamlessly with the speedrunning ethos of meticulous progression.
Some of our team members have a personal history with speedrunning, from being avid spectators to successfully executing their own runs in games like Celeste and Katana Zero. Even when Symphonia was just a student project back in 2020, our team indulged in speedrunning it, comparing times and even keeping discovered glitches a secret for a competitive edge. This enthusiasm wasn’t exclusive to us alone; when we launched a free demo online, it garnered an astonishing 500,000 downloads, with submissions pouring in on speedrun.net. This response convinced us we were onto something truly special, inspiring us to form a studio and pitch our vision for a complete game. Four years of hard work eventually saw Symphonia’s full release.
It wasn’t solely the precision platforming aspect that drew in the speedrunners; we aimed to capture the spirit of speedrunning even in our new features and intricate level designs. Shifting a block or slightly adjusting a collider can open up creative new paths. One highlight feature involves collectible music notes situated in challenging spots, rewarding players for taking risks and exploring various game areas. Drawing parallels with Celeste’s strawberries, these notes offer a satisfying challenge. Completing all levels unlocks Shadow Philemon, a character replica trailing Philemon, aiming to capture him during missteps. Players can also experiment with abilities like double jumping, converting surfaces to cushions, or altering game speed. Originally intended as accessibility options, these abilities have become tools for creativity and innovation for many players.
Following the game’s December launch, we were ecstatic about the enthusiasm from the speedrunning community, facilitating discussions on a dedicated Discord channel. Speedrunning has evolved from a niche hobby to a global craze over the past two decades, captivating enthusiasts of first-person shooters, platformers, and even unexpected genres like RPGs and strategy games. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube have propelled speedrunning’s popularity, engaging millions globally and facilitating charity events like Games Done Quick (GDQ), which hosts significant charity events biannually along with weekly shows.
The passion for creating these experiences is undeniable. When I spoke to Queuety, GDQ’s showrunner, about speedrunning’s significance, he shared, “Speedrunning turns any game into both a puzzle and a competitive performance, which keeps me captivated.”
Our publisher shares a keen interest in speedrunning. CEO Dieter Schoeller has a background in speedrunning, having played Quake 3 and Sonic the Hedgehog back in the ’90s. He appreciates the competitive edge, remarking, “The person to beat is no one but yourself.” This mutual passion and visible community engagement led us to collaborate with GDQ. We were thrilled when they embraced Symphonia’s visuals and premise. Our subsequent participation in a recent GDQ Hotfix episode became an unforgettable experience. I had the privilege of offering commentary, and our dedicated community members played the game live. You can catch the episode here.
If you feel inspired to explore speedrunning, understand that it’s still an evolving realm, allowing you to make a significant impact just by participating or interacting with other runners and developers. We’d love for you to try your hand at Symphonia and join our Discord discussions on speedrunning.
Whether you’re a speedrunner or not, we hope you’ll explore Symphonia and savor its enchanting world in your own unique way.
