Hometown: Chicago
Currently Living: North Texas
Primary Speedgame: Banjo-Kazooie
Q: What's the first speedrun you ever watched? What got you into speedrunning?
A: This is going to sound funny, but I actually saw my first speedrun on Speed Demo Archives. I have no clue how I got there, but I just started looking up runs in my free time. I ended up finding the Banjo-Kazooie run on there and I just kept watching it over and over again. I always really liked BK as a kid, so it kept me entertained. I had no clue at the time how inactive and obsolete SDA was, so I kept looking at more runs. I finally found Stivitybobo on Twitch later on and realized that I still had both the console and the game. I wasn't interested in streaming just yet, but I wanted to start speedrunning.
Q: What was it like for you when you first started running?
A: When I first started, I was definitely nervous, but it really wasn't that hard when I started practicing it more and more. I mean, don't get me wrong, BK is a tough game, but when I kept practicing, I didn't really notice the difficulty considering how much I played it as a kid. It was more about adapting to the speedrunning tricks and certain movement sections of the game.
Q: How has speedrunning changed for you now?
A: Speedrunning today is much different for me. When I first started out, I had no want at all to use a webcam or focus on anything else. Now, I really enjoy interacting with my viewers as well as trying to focus on my gameplay. (laughing) I do find myself raging and cursing at the game more than I used to, but it really does depend on the situation. I try to remember at the end of the day that I'm just playing another video game so I can at least try to act professional about it all.
Q: What has been your experience being a female in the speedrunning community?
A: To be honest, I don't really notice the difference anymore unless somebody points out that, yes indeed, I am a female. There are certain people who have acted differently towards me than they would others, but I've been to plenty of gaming conventions since I joined the community and I think that, for the most part, everybody is becoming way more accepting of both men and women being involved with speedrunning.
Q: What are you currently working on?
A: You know, I took a break from speedrunning last year, but I have tried to be more active this year about getting back into it. I'm currently trying to derust BK 100% and grind it down to a sub 2:20. Once I get that time, I'd really like to venture a return to Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards.
Q: How is Kirby 64 comparable to BK? Which one do you enjoy more?
A: Well, I run both of those games to 100%. To be honest, I find them both incredibly punishing as speedruns. Missing a shard or a certain jiggy can cost you a lot of time. Not only that, but missing collectibles is also incredibly frustrating. I won't say which game I like better, but both games give me the motivation to complete it again faster and faster with fewer and fewer mistakes.
Q: What was it like being on the Games Done Quick casting couch for Kirby 64?
A: I think the most important thing about being on the couch was being respectful to the main runner. SK (swordsmankirby) wanted to handle most of the commentary when he ran Kirby 64, and he did an absolutely fantastic job. It was his run after all, so he got to choose his preferences. I was more than happy to assist him whenever he wanted a little more commentary than he could offer. It's definitely more of a teamwork or group effort project versus worrying about your own interaction with your viewers.
Q: Who is a speedrunner that you admire that doesn't run your games and why?
A: Hmm, that's a good question. I look up to kungfufruitcup a lot.
But she runs Kirby 64!
Fine! I'd have to say, then, that I really enjoy watching YellowKillerBee and I admire her a lot. She doesn't run any of my games as far as I know. She stays calm, she never curses, and she keeps her stream very open and family-friendly. I could never do that! I really wish I could play like her and keep my cool, but sometimes the frustration is just too much to handle.
Q: How do you think our generation of gamers will incorporate video games (and speedrunning) into middle and old age? Where do you see speedrunning going in the future?
A: I do see speedrunning becoming more popular than ever before. Four years ago, speedruns of specific games were hard to find; now, it's completely widespread and you can find a speedrun of every game you can think of! Speedrunning is all over Twitch and more people are starting to see them and understand them. To me, playing video games isn't a phase; some people are very passionate about it and will definitely pursue it as a lifelong hobby. It's like any other hobby to which you would dedicate time and effort. It's important to people.
Q: Lastly, is there anybody who you'd like to shout out or plug their stream?
A: I'd like to plug the Girls On Fire team on Twitch, not only because I'm on it, but because I believe this team does the best job at maintaining a strong and energetic group that contains several different personalities.
Thanks, Cosmic.
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