Speedrun Cheating Under Scrutiny
The Defcon 24 conference in Las Vegas saw Allan Cecil, known online as ”dwangoAC,” take center stage to expose potential cheating in speedruns. Cecil, an expert in “tool-assisted speedruns,” uses emulator software to meticulously analyze games and detect anomalies.
Speedrunners aim to complete games in the shortest time possible, aiming for the fastest completion times. The Guinness World Records currently recognize a 3-minute and 12-second solo completion time for the classic game Diablo 1. Developed by Blizzard Entertainment, Diablo has captivated players since its 1996 release on multiple platforms.
Cecil argues that the current Diablo 1 speedrun record, held since 2009, is likely achieved through cheating. He presented evidence and testing methods to support his claims. This would be the second case this year where Cecil has exposed cheating in speedruns.
Prior to the conference, Cecil had already publicly shared his suspicions with Wired magazine. He acknowledged the skill involved in “tool-assisted speedruns,” but emphasized that cheating undermines the integrity of these achievements.
Cecil’s work highlights the growing concern surrounding speedrun integrity. As these records become more recognized and valuable, the pressure to achieve seemingly impossible times can lead to unethical practices.