How Symphonia’s Features Were Tailored for Speedrunners

From the moment Symphonia was conceived, the aim was simple: create a game that celebrates the art of perfect control and timing. Originally, the game was intended to introduce a global audience to classical music, but its fluid mechanics and expansive level design made it an instant favorite with the speedrunning community. We spent countless hours fine-tuning character movements, always with the objective of crafting a game that would be fulfilling for casual and competitive players alike. This approach shaped Symphonia’s core mechanics and its assortment of enticing collectibles.

In Symphonia, a few elements were intentionally embedded to elevate the challenge for thrill-seekers. Philemon, our lead character, is a gifted violinist on a mission to rally the musical prodigies of a slumbering Symphonia. His trusty violin bow is his greatest asset, capable of performing as a pogo stick, a catapult, or even a grapple. Mastering the art of moving through the air with precision is no small feat but is incredibly rewarding for those who achieve it. The game’s reliance on meticulous timing aligns perfectly with a speedrunning ethos, where every frame counts.

Take a look at Symphonia, and you’ll see how elements like custom level design were thoughtfully created with speedrunners in mind. Some team members, deeply intertwined with the speedrunning culture, have been speedrunners themselves, jumping into games like Celeste and Katana Zero. Back when Symphonia was just a student project in 2020, it was already being speedrun by our team, resulting in shared time trials and even some sneaky glitch-hunting to gain an edge. The response from the wider public was enthusiastic; half a million people downloaded our demo, with several entries making it to speedrun.net. This passion showed us we were onto something special, so we pressed forward, launching a full-fledged studio to develop the complete vision of Symphonia, which finally hit the shelves four years later.

It’s not just the precision platforming that intrigues speedrunners. Our level designs treasured the essence of speedrunning. Every movable block or slight adjustment could craft an entirely new path for the ingenious players among us. The game offers collectible music notes hidden in complex corners, rewarding those who dare to experiment and explore. Imagine them as the strawberries in Celeste. Completing a full playthrough unlocks Shadow Philemon, a clone that mirrors your moves with a slight delay, daring you to outpace yourself. The game allows tinkering with advanced abilities like double jumping or tweaking game speed, options initially intended for accessibility, yet perfect for concocting fresh challenges.

Upon Symphonia’s December release, the excitement was palpable. The speedrunning community had a dedicated space in our Discord to exchange ideas. It’s impressive how speedrunning has flourished over the past decades, transforming from a niche hobby to a thrilling global spectacle. Once confined to first-person shooters or platformers, now even RPGs and strategy games see speedy exploits. Platforms like YouTube and Twitch have made speedrunning accessible to millions, contributing significantly to charitable causes, such as those supported by Games Done Quick (GDQ).

I touched base with Queuety from GDQ about the significance of speedrunning. To him, it turns any game into a captivating puzzle and a competitive stage, a mix he finds irresistible. Our publisher, Dieter Schoeller, shares a similar passion, having come from a speedrunning background himself. He holds a special regard for speedrunning, viewing it as a competition not against others, but against oneself. This shared enthusiasm led to a collaboration with GDQ, where our game featured in a Hotfix episode. It was a deeply fulfilling experience, with me offering commentary while our community rallied to showcase the game.

If this has piqued your interest, the speedrunning community welcomes you. Symphonia is there, ready for you to explore and perhaps even join the speedrunning discourse in our Discord. Whether you speedrun or not, we hope you dive into the rich, musical journey of Symphonia at your own pace.

In the mystical realm of Symphonia, where music breathes life, Philemon sets out on an adventure armed with his violin. Revitalize a world descending into silence, meeting unique characters and overcoming platforming challenges. With an original soundtrack by Olivier Esman, Symphonia offers an immersive experience you won’t want to miss. Unleash your potential, discover new environments combining music and mechanics, and gather musical prodigies to revive this enchanting world.