Designing Symphonia’s Features for Speed Runners

Symphonia launched for the Xbox Series X|S on December 5, 2024, offering players a unique blend of custom level design, precise platforming, and features tailored for speedruns. It invites gamers to delve deeply into the art of speedrunning, providing insights and tips from players themselves.

From the beginning, the creators of Symphonia aimed to craft a game that celebrates skillful control and perfect timing. Originally conceived to introduce the magic of classical music, the game’s flowing mechanics and expansive levels quickly drew the attention of the speedrunning community. The team worked tirelessly to hone the character controls, striving to create a rewarding experience, whether players approached it casually or sought deeper immersion. This commitment laid the groundwork for Symphonia’s intricate mechanics and collectible elements.

To ramp up the challenge, the game weaves complex elements for enthusiasts who crave them. Players guide Philemon, a violinist wandering through the tranquil world of Symphonia on a mission to reunite orchestral prodigies. His violin bow isn’t just for music; it transforms into various tools like a pogo stick, catapult, or grappling hook. Mastering these cleverly designed maneuvers requires precision and presents the perfect playground for those dedicated to shaving off milliseconds in speedruns.

Several team members harbor a personal passion for speedrunning, whether from watching or actively participating in games like Celeste or Katana Zero. Even when Symphonia was just a student project in 2020, the team was eagerly racing through it, swapping times, and sometimes keeping helpful glitches to themselves for a competitive edge. The public’s excitement mirrored their enthusiasm; a demo of the game saw half a million downloads, with many players submitting their speedrun times online. This response confirmed they were onto something extraordinary, prompting the team to formally establish a studio post-university to fully realize their vision, which came to fruition after four dedicated years.

Speedrunning’s appeal wasn’t just about precision platforming; it was a lens through which Symphonia’s design flourished. Even minute adjustments in block placement created fresh paths for creative players. Symphonia also features collectible music notes that challenge players to reach hard-to-access locations, much like the strawberries in Celeste, rewarding daring efforts. Completing levels unlocks Shadow Philemon, an echo that follows the player’s every move, ready to exploit any mistake. Additionally, players can experiment with abilities like double jumps or modifying game speed. While initially accessibility features, they’ve become tools for players to explore new gameplay challenges.

Upon the game’s release in December, it was heartening to observe a steady interest from the speedrunning community. The developers fostered this dialogue digitally, creating a dedicated Discord channel for fans.

Speedrunning, over the last twenty years, has transformed from a niche pastime into a worldwide phenomenon. From shooters to platformers and genres one wouldn’t usually associate with speedruns, like RPGs and strategy games, the scene has exploded. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube have helped these dynamic runs reach a massive audience, even raising substantial charitable donations through organizations like Games Done Quick (GDQ).

The drive behind this movement is palpable. When asked why speedrunning matters so much to him, GDQ showrunner Queuety said, “Speedrunning turns any game into both a puzzle and a competitive performance, which fascinates me and keeps me coming back.”

Our publisher shares this speedrun fascination. CEO Dieter Schoeller has a background in speedrunning classics like Quake 3 and Sonic the Hedgehog from the ‘90s. His fondness for the craft is based on personal competition, “the person to beat is no one but yourself,” he explains. This shared interest led to collaboration talks with GDQ. Delighted that the GDQ team loved Symphonia’s visuals and concept, we took part in one of their latest Hotfix episodes, a thrilling and memorable experience where I had the honor of providing live commentary. Our community, meanwhile, showcased their speedrunning prowess.

This piece aims to inspire curiosity, inviting readers to join the speedrunning community, whether as a newbie or a seasoned player. We encourage you to dive in and perhaps try your hand at Symphonia or join in the lively discussions on our Discord server.

Whether or not you’re drawn to the speedrunning aspect, we hope you’ll explore and enjoy the enchanting world of Symphonia in your own unique way.