longer.blue

--My retirement from Speedrunning and Events Hey everyone! This is something I have been thinking on and considering for around a year now, and this is my way of officially letting everyone know that I am taking an indefinite hiatus from Speedrunning and from Speedrunning events. I have spent a lot of time over the years forming great achievements, memories and bonds through speedrunning. Ever since starting my first speedgame, Resident Evil 7, I have met incredible people who have helped shape and guide me into the runner and community member I am today, for which I will always be grateful. My life has taken U-turns a few times over the years, and this is one turn I end up at a lot, and I feel my passion for this hobby always falling to the side. I had this realization after my recent RE9 run at SGDQ26, that I really am not in it the way I was before, and while I genuinely love the performance and the fundraising I have been able to be a part of, I have to read the room and pulse check my own ambitions and understand that my love for this has all but disappeared. There are factors to this that I mostly won't get into, but unfortunately one that has played a part over the years is the feedback i've received about my participating in my favorite event, GDQ. I love this event and am always happy to support, but I've been told so so many times about how my participating has "taken the stage spot" from other runners who would also like to submit and run new horror releases. I will not name anyone, and it's not anyone GDQ related - just others in the speedrun communities i'm a part of. I said a few times in my Re9 GDQ run "remember why you are here", this was a way of me reminding everyone we aren't here for some stage spotlight -- but to do some good and raise some money for charities that deserve it. This is not the soul reason for my departure, but it has played a part. This combined with my fading love of the hobby have naturally lead me to this. Again, I sincerely appreciate everyone who has been with me doing this over the years, and i ESPECIALLY appreciate GDQ and the significant amount of faith they have placed in me to continue participating in their events and raising money. It truly truly will forever be an honor. I will especially shoutout people like Bobbeigh and Ecdycis, who have been constant pillars for me in my journey to not only be a good runner, but a good stage presence and entertainer while providing me with nonstop support and opportunity. Shoutouts to those guys. I will still remain around to participate in community related events to assist in whatever way I can and help make sure the speedrun scenes I love continue to thrive. I will still stream sometimes, but it'll be different content than speedrunning of course. Additionally, I'll always respond to help anyone who wants tips on performing at events or speedrunning in general. Thanks again to everyone who supported me in this to this point, it truly meant the world and I'm very pleased with the friends i've made and the milestones we've set. Love you all! Zeke, the RE7 guy