Run & Commentary Guide

Discord

All runners and commentators must be members of the marathon Discord server. You’ll need to have your microphone set up to transmit to it as all voice communications during the stream take place on Discord, in one of three rooms:

🔊GREEN ROOM: anyone involved in the event can join this room and chat, but it is reserved for preparing runners, commentators, and hosts.
🔊LIVE ROOM: only staff and tech volunteers can join this room, this is where the stream takes place. Runners, commentators, and hosts will be moved into this room when ready.

Runners and commentators are given roles in the server, allowing you access to the event channels. Keep an eye on them, especially for any pings with information. If you’re unsure about anything, check the pins in the channels. If you can’t find the answer, ping a staff member on the Discord server to ask questions or shout if you’re having problems with your setup.

Before You Start Your Run

You need to be on Discord and let Staff know you’re present at least 20 minutes before the start of your run; the setup volunteer for your run should ping you to let you know they're ready for you. If you’re not the first run in a marathon, keep an eye on the event to see if it is running ahead or behind schedule. If you’re early and just want somewhere to hang out, you’re welcome to join the 🔊GREEN ROOM.

When your run is approaching, runners and commentators should join the 🔊GREEN ROOM. Runners should prepare their streaming software, boot up the game and ensure everything on their stream viewer looks and sounds correct. The setup volunteer will advise when to go live so they can check the feed for your stream and do sound checks.

Once ready and the previous run has ended, you'll be dragged into the 🔊LIVE ROOM; you won’t be able to join this channel yourself. You should share your gameplay on Discord for your host and commentators to watch. Confirm with the tech volunteer when the timer should start and end. Give them an idea of what should be happening about five minutes before the end of your run; this gives them time to jump back in for the end of your run. If you don't have any commentators and would like the host to chat with you during the run, discuss this with them now.

Once ready, the tech volunteer will jump out and your host will then countdown for the mics to go live. Your host will talk first, introducing the run and yourself and then hand it over to you to get started.

During Your Run

If possible, keep the #runner-general channel open on another screen or device. This is where you’ll be given any info discretely if there are any issues during the run.

For commentary, just enjoy it, and don’t worry too much about what’s said. Try to keep the conversation focused on the run, and keep it flowing if you can, but there’s no harm in being quiet during difficult sections, and don’t be afraid to ask your commentators for quiet if you need it briefly to concentrate.

Please avoid swearing, you should be aiming for a PG-13 level of language. If it naturally comes up it’s fine, we just don’t want the entire commentary filled with it. Discussions of politics, race, religion etc, and obscene or degrading content are strictly forbidden. Twitch Terms of Service must be followed at all times:

Remember that speedrun marathons are made up of inclusive communities, and usually pride themselves on being welcoming to all backgrounds, faiths, orientations and disabilities. Please refrain from using terms or phrases that could be seen as derogatory towards certain people.

You may promote your own channel or projects at appropriate times, but don’t overdo it; constant self-promotion is poor etiquette. Giving a shout-out at the end of the run to where you can be found is a good way to do so, though your Twitch handle will be on display at all times during your run anyway.

Keep the focus on the game, but most importantly have fun with it. Runners should avoid looking at the chat but other commentators can look to answer run-related questions. You should also give your host a heads-up that time is coming up when nearly at the end of the run.

Cutting Your Run Short

You are expected to finish your run. If things go bad you should still persevere to finish. Viewers will respect your perseverance and this can often be very entertaining and rewarding to watch. If something happens, such as a crash or lock, try and revert to a backup save, even if you have to reset your game to do so. If you’re in a race, agree rules with your opponent for this circumstance.

If you absolutely must cut your run short, notify your Director in #runner-general first, don’t just cut your stream. They’ll then advise what to do. It should be noted that runners who do cut runs without good reason or do so multiple times may not be invited to participate in future events.

Finishing Your Run

Try and get in any shoutouts before the end of your run; we’ll want to keep chat brief once the run has ended, especially if we’re behind schedule.

Please do not include any lengthy ending cutscenes or credit sequences as part of your run; you should aim to end a couple of minutes after your final input. If you’re playing a game that requires lengthy cutscenes or credits to be viewed for leaderboard verification, you should locally record your run for PB submission purposes instead.

When ending, say goodbye or make it clear that you’ve finished your commentary. Your host will then say a few words, the stream will go to intermission, and the tech volunteer will advise when the mics are cold. Please don't stop your stream until you've been instructed to.

You can stick around for a moment in the 🔊LIVE ROOM to finish up but don’t dawdle for long as the next run will be jumping in to get started. You’re welcome to hang out with others in the 🔊GREEN ROOM.

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