Video game enthusiasts are fundraising for DKMS

Video game players from all over Germany collect donations for DKMS at the digital races in Kassel.

Kassel – Instead of a marathon, a sprint. This is how “running speed” can be described. This type of game is about beating video games in the fastest way possible. For this purpose, the “Slowrunslive” association presents a public event in the Penta Hotel Kassel until Saturday. Over 30 so-called speed runners are offering their skills on PC and console for good reason. What is going on there?

What seems easy at first, actually requires long training sessions, sensitivity and perfect focus. Players around the world compete for the best times in a variety of video games. You will notice this as soon as you enter the room where the action is taking place. In the entrance area, for example, there are some built-in computers as a place for training. Players can practice here before showing off their skills to spectators in the other part of the room.

Patrick Dame, better known online as Bluswelt, gets things started. He aims to complete a game of Tonk within 40 minutes. Here he immediately begins to quickly move through the game world. “We’ll just see a little bit of the main game,” he says. You notice that when watching: intermediate scenes are skipped, levels are shortened and opponents are eliminated in a matter of seconds using tricks. “Sometimes some of the audio output is faster and so it gets used. It’s really about milliseconds,” explains Trades Duartz of the club. However, the player manages to give detailed explanations of the unknown techniques parallel to his running speed, with which he beats the game faster. He completes his sprint in just under 34 minutes, which usually takes hours. For the rest of the day, there is a program until late at night. “The event is a mixed event,” Dawartz explains. This means that some players are broadcasting live from home, but most are playing on location. The event can also be followed from home via the Twitch channel, but also on site.

Since the Society was spread throughout Germany as well as Austria, for example, they chose Kassel as the venue because it was within the reach of all members in central Germany.

In order to give games to a good cause, donations are collected. International federations are role models in this. Game or game accessories can be won through donations, and quick runs can be unlocked for viewing or sending quests to players. Already on the first quick run there are 80 euros in the donation account. Last summer, the association set a record with €2,400 in donations to help Germany’s recession, and €3,000 this year would be a dream come true for DKMS, according to Trades Duartz. Follow Favorite