When I think about what makes a good competitive esports game, my mind immediately goes to fast-paced shooters and complex MOBAs. The last thing I’d expect to work as a spectator sport is a clever, intelligent puzzle game, but my hunch was wrong. As showcased during this year’s Summer Games, Speedrunners found a way to convincingly transform Blue Prince into a nail-biting competition that’s a thrill to watch.
The segment aired Monday night during the annual Quick Summer Games event, which raises money for Doctors Without Borders all week long. Considering how the event typically works, you might expect Blue Prince ‘s GDQ debut to feature how quickly a player could reach Room 46. Instead, speedrunners Randringtail and Bobbyburm competed in a “B Quest Bingo” race. What exactly does that mean? It’s a bit complicated.
Before starting, both racers were given a bingo board modeled after the Blue Prince standard floor plan grid. Each square presented a different objective, ranging from unlocking the eastern gate to obtaining five room upgrades. Competitors had 90 minutes in which to engage in as many races as needed to check off the objectives. The winning condition? The first racer to successfully complete a path between the entrance hall and the antechamber spaces would be the winner.
The result was a fascinating battle of wits that had the live crowd at SGDQ Gious screaming from start to finish (thanks in large part to some Horse Derby-caliber commentary from Gelly). Blue Prince is already a complex game in its normal form, forcing players to learn and remember hundreds of nuances, parlor tricks, and secrets. Then there’s a whole juggling act to it. All of this is made more difficult by a layer of random chance. Now imagine making all the careful calculations that go into it at lightning speed to achieve specific objectives. It’s a feat that’s not just about knowing Blue Prince inside and out, but being able to adapt to whatever it throws at you. It’s like watching two Grandmasters play a round of speed chess in a tornado.
You can watch the run on Quick’s YouTube channel, though be warned it contains a fair share of spoilers. In fact, I learned a few secrets I haven’t yet encountered in my 100 hours of Blue Prince ( what can you do in the lobby!?). If nothing else, you’ll be reminded of just how deep the seemingly bottomless puzzle goes.
