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The Leaderboards of Information: Top Sites for AAA Game News & Speedrunning Updates
In the dynamic, multi-billion dollar world of AAA gaming, information is currency. For the average player, staying updated on the next big release or a controversial patch is a pastime. For the dedicated speedrunner, where every frame and pixel-perfect jump counts, this information is the very lifeblood of their craft. The worlds of mainstream gaming news and the niche, hyper-focused community of speedrunning might seem separate, but they are intrinsically linked. A single patch note can dismantle a months-old world record strategy, while a newly discovered sequence break can become headline news.
Navigating the vast digital landscape to find reliable, fast, and in-depth information for both can be a challenge. This guide breaks down the top sites and platforms you need to bookmark, serving as your essential hub for everything from the latest blockbuster announcements to the most minute speedrunning tech.
Part 1: The News Breakers – Staying Ahead of the AAA Curve
These are the established giants and agile newcomers that break news, publish reviews, and shape the conversation around major game releases.
1. Bloomberg Technology (Jason Schreier) While not a traditional gaming site, Bloomberg’s tech section, particularly through the reporting of Jason Schreier, has become the undisputed heavyweight for investigative gaming journalism. Schreier specializes in deep-dive reports on company cultures, development turmoil, project cancellations, and industry-shaking acquisitions long before they are officially announced. For understanding the why behind game delays or studio closures, this is the prime source. It provides context that directly impacts which AAA games eventually see the light of day and in what state.
2. IGN & GameSpot These two pillars of the gaming media remain essential for comprehensive coverage. They offer a wide net: breaking news, exclusive previews, detailed reviews, and extensive video content. Their strength lies in their scale and resources. When a new trailer for The Elder Scrolls VI drops or Cyberpunk 2077 releases a massive 2.0 update, these sites will have immediate coverage, analysis, and community polls. They are your one-stop shops for a general overview of the entire AAA landscape.
3. Video Games Chronicle (VGC) VGC has firmly established itself as a leader in reliable and timely news reporting. Often working in tandem with or confirming reports from insiders, VGC provides a more traditional journalistic approach with a strong emphasis on accuracy. Their sources within development and publishing circles are excellent, making them a trusted source for leak confirmations and official announcements. For speedrunners, their patch note coverage is typically swift and detailed.
4. Twitter (Now X) & Reddit (/r/Games) It’s impossible to talk about news speed without mentioning the social media hubs. Twitter is where developers, journalists, and insiders break news first. Following key figures like Phil Spencer (Xbox), Shuhei Yoshida (PlayStation), and directors of your favorite franchises provides real-time updates straight from the source.
Meanwhile, Reddit’s /r/Games subreddit acts as a powerful aggregator and community forum. It’s less about original reporting and more about collective curation. News breaks here minutes after it appears anywhere else, followed by immediate community discussion, analysis, and fact-checking in the comments. It’s an invaluable pulse-check on the gaming community’s reaction.
Part 2: The Frame-By-Frame Analysts – The Speedrunning Hubs
When the game is released, the conversation for a dedicated group shifts from "Is it good?" to "How fast can it be beaten?" These are the sites where that question is answered.
1. Speedrun.com This is the absolute nucleus of the speedrunning community. It is not a news site but the official, community-moderated database for world records, leaderboards, rules, and categories for nearly every game imaginable. For any serious runner, this is the holy grail. Any verified record change is documented here instantly. The associated forums and resource pages are where new strategies, glitches, and routes are meticulously documented and debated. If you want to know the current Any% world record for Elden Ring, this is the only place to look.
2. YouTube (Content Creators) YouTube is the living, breathing textbook of speedrunning. Channels like Summoning Salt document the history and evolution of iconic speedruns with cinematic flair, while elite runners like GrandPOObear, Mitchflowerpower, and LilAggy provide real-time analysis, tutorial guides, and live commentary during their record attempts. When a new skip is discovered, it is almost always showcased and explained in a YouTube video first. Watching a top runner dissect their own VOD (Video On Demand) to explain a frame-perfect trick is an unparalleled learning tool.
3. Twitch The live battlefield. Twitch is where speedrunning happens in real-time. Following the top runners in your game of choice provides several benefits: you witness new strategies the moment they are conceived, you learn from their live practice and mistake analysis, and you become part of the community. The chat, for all its chaos, can be a source of instant information and camaraderie. Major events like Games Done Quick (GDQ) also broadcast on Twitch, showcasing the best runners in the world for charity and often featuring pre-patch runs of classic games that are no longer possible on modern versions.
4. Community Discords The true backstage pass. For any popular AAA game with a active speedrunning scene, there is almost certainly a dedicated Discord server. This is where the magic happens: runners share newly discovered clips, theorycraft new routes, ask for technical advice, and organize races. This is the fastest possible source for emerging tech, often days before it makes it to a polished YouTube video or is implemented in a record-breaking run. Access is usually open but requires an understanding of the community’s specific rules and culture.
The Symbiotic Relationship
The connection between these two worlds is undeniable. A headline on IGN about a new patch for Hogwarts Legacy sends immediate ripples through the game’s Speedrun.com Discord. Runners scramble to dissect the patch notes, determining if a crucial glitch has been patched out or if new, faster mechanics have been unintentionally introduced. Conversely, a viral YouTube video from a runner showcasing a breathtaking new skip in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom can generate mainstream news articles, bringing renewed attention and players to a game months after its release.
For the truly informed gamer, a strategy that incorporates both spheres is key. Follow the journalists on Twitter to see what’s coming. Read the in-depth analyses on VGC to understand it. Then, dive into the Discords and leaderboards of Speedrun.com to see how the most dedicated players in the world are taking that game and bending it to its absolute limits. In the race for information, this multi-platform approach is the ultimate power-up.
