Designing Symphonia’s Features with Speed Runners in Consideration

When Symphonia landed on the Xbox Series X|S on December 5, 2024, it struck a chord with gamers, particularly those who love speedrunning, thanks to its inventive level design and pinpoint platforming. The game, with features ideally suited for fast-paced playthroughs, has inspired in-depth discussions among speedrunners, offering unique insights and strategies.

Symphonia began with an ambitious concept: to merge the elegance of classical music with the excitement of video gaming. Early on, its developers realized that the game’s dynamic mechanics and versatile level layouts were perfect for competitive speedruns. With intense focus on character controls, they aimed to create an experience enjoyable for casual players and competitive spirits alike, infusing extra layers of intricacy for those seeking a challenge. This ambitious goal guided the creation of Symphonia’s mechanics and rewards system.

To ratchet up the stakes, players guide Philemon, a virtuoso violinist. His quest through the vast world of Symphonia involves reuniting musical prodigies from various orchestral sections. His weapon of choice? His trusty violin bow, which transforms to aid traversal in unique ways. As gameplay unfolds, players unlock capabilities that allow the bow to become a springboard, launcher, or grappler. Mastering the timing to glide effortlessly through the air is challenging, yet the payoff is immensely satisfying—a concept well-suited for speedrunners aiming to shave seconds off their times.

Some of the developers are no strangers to speedrunning, having run games like Celeste and Katana Zero themselves, a journey that spurred an interest in optimizing Symphonia for the same audience. Even in its prototype phase back in 2020, the development team was already competing for the best times, secretly exploiting game glitches they stumbled upon. The game’s online demo, downloaded over half a million times, saw gamers eagerly submitting their speedruns, signaling that Symphonia resonated within this competitive community. Eventually, the team transitioned from being students to forming a full-fledged studio, pouring another four years into polishing the game to the standard we see today.

Beyond the precision mechanics, the developers integrated speedrunning principles into the fabric of the game. A slight adjustment to the level design—a block moved here, a hidden pathway revealed there—could entirely reshape a playthrough. Scattered throughout the game are music note collectibles, challenging to reach yet rewarding adventurous players with access to hidden areas. Comparable to Celeste’s strawberries, these notes incentivize daring feats. Completing levels allows players to unlock Shadow Philemon, providing a chance to improve past performances with this ghost mode. Players can also engage with various abilities, initially designed for accessibility, now reinterpreted by players to conjure up fresh challenges and innovate strategies.

When Symphonia officially launched this past December, the enduring enthusiasm from speedrunners thrilled the development team. They even set up a special channel on Discord to foster community discussions and idea exchanges.

It’s truly remarkable how the speedrunning community has evolved from a niche interest to a global sensation over the last twenty years. Speedruns have captivated audiences across genres, even in games like RPGs or strategy titles, where fast completions might seem counterintuitive. Platforms such as Twitch and YouTube have propelled the popularity of events like Games Done Quick (GDQ), which not only entertain millions but also raise significant funds for charity. With its semiannual marathons and regular Hotfix events, GDQ continues to captivate and engage audiences worldwide.

In a conversation with Queuety, the showrunner of GDQ, the essence of speedrunning was eloquently captured. “Speedrunning turns any game into both a puzzle and a competitive performance, something which fascinates me and keeps me coming back,” Queuety shared.

Symphonia’s publisher shares this passion for speedrunning. CEO Dieter Schoeller, who fondly recalls his speedrunning days with Quake 3 and Sonic the Hedgehog, articulates the draw perfectly: “The person to beat is no one but yourself.” This shared enthusiasm led to a collaboration with GDQ, culminating in a showcase during the latest Hotfix episode. This was a standout moment for us, marking an unforgettable milestone that fueled our passion further. I had the privilege of providing commentary, while enthusiastic community members showcased their skills live—a truly rewarding experience. You can find the episode [here].

For those intrigued by the world of speedrunning, this emerging community welcomes newcomers, offering a chance to contribute simply through participation and interaction with fellow gamers and developers. Try Symphonia for yourself; join the vibrant discussions on speedrunning within our Discord community.

Ultimately, whether you’re an avid speedrunner or a casual player, we hope you’ll dive into the enchanting universe of Symphonia and find joy in exploring its intricacies at your own pace.