Charity Speedrun Event Highlights Indie Games in Style

Games Done Quick, the biannual charity speedrunning event currently underway, not only supports organizations like the Prevent Cancer Foundation and Doctors Without Borders but also shines a spotlight on indie games. Indie developers often face significant challenges in funding, completing, and launching their projects, as well as getting them noticed. Events like GDQ can be a game-changer, introducing lesser-known titles like Bat to the Heavens and Small Saga to tens of thousands of viewers.

“It was incredibly thrilling,” shared Ceroro, the creator of Bat to the Heavens, a platformer where the protagonist must ascend to the skies using a bat due to her inability to jump. Released in 2024, this was Ceroro’s first official game, and it was showcased during Awesome Games Done Quick 2026 and later at RTA in Japan. She noted that while her game has seen general success, the GDQ feature provided a significant boost. “After the AGDQ run, I experienced a surge in sales and wishlists that I hadn’t seen since the initial launch!” she exclaimed.

Solo developer Darya Noghani also reported a positive impact for Small Saga, her turn-based RPG about a mouse on a quest to confront god. “After being featured at GDQ, several streamers picked it up on Twitch, and there was a noticeable increase in sales and recommendations on platforms like Bluesky,” they mentioned.

However, having your game showcased at a GDQ event can come with its own set of anxieties. “You feel a sense of apprehension,” Noghani explained. Speedrunners often exploit glitches and develop techniques that can skip large portions of gameplay, potentially presenting a less-than-ideal version of the game. “Runners are pushing the game to break in specific ways, and you know it could lead to crashes that ruin the run.”

On a positive note, Noghani reported that the Small Saga run was relatively glitch-free: “I’ll take that as a win.”

Sometimes, a runner breaking a game aligns perfectly with the developer’s vision. “Exploits and glitches tap into the essence of game design,” Ceroro noted. While the Bat to the Heavens run didn’t heavily rely on glitches, she remarked, “Many of the extreme movements and techniques used in the run are well within the intended design.”

Ceroro isn’t concerned that watching a speedrun of Bat to the Heavens will spoil the experience for new players. “The speedrun went by so quickly that it doesn’t give a true sense of the game or how it feels, so it’ll still be a surprise for newcomers,” she said.

Thanks to GDQ, new players are indeed arriving. While all the developers I spoke with were thrilled about the increased attention and sales, they emphasized that the personal achievement of having their game featured at GDQ was equally significant.

“It’s been exhilarating,” Noghani said. “GDQ is genuinely cherished by both players and developers, not just for its charitable efforts but for fostering a positive community.”

GDQ holds a special place in the online gaming world. Over the years, event organizers have prioritized diversity and inclusion, hosting smaller events to highlight streamers from underrepresented backgrounds. The community has become one where affirmations like “trans rights” receive the same enthusiastic response as a spirited cheer from an OSU alum in a packed Columbus bar.

“In the development community, it’s a monumental moment,” said Xalavier Nelson Jr., creative director at Strange Scaffold, the studio behind Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator, which has been featured in GDQ events. “I received as many congratulations for appearing on Games Done Quick as I did for getting married. It’s that significant — a truly positive event and community.”