A Nod to the Community: REPO Devs Ponder Adding “Official Speedrun Seeds” After Record-Breaking Run

The relationship between video game developers and their speedrunning communities is a fascinating one, a mix of mutual respect, playful banter, and a shared passion for pushing games to their absolute limits. In a recent, and highly entertaining, turn of events, the developers behind the co-op extraction shooter REPO, semiwork, have been blown away by a new world record. The developers were so impressed by a player’s mastery of their game that they are now openly considering adding “official speedrun seeds,” a feature seen in other popular indie hits like Lethal Company.

Devs Watch a Master at Work

In a recent video, two of the developers from semiwork sat down to watch a speedrun of REPO’s level 10, a notoriously difficult and procedurally generated map. The run, performed by a player named LLMarkerz, was a masterclass in both skill and quick thinking. The devs were visibly impressed by the player’s ability to navigate the randomized map, and they were particularly taken aback by some of the more creative strategies used, such as self-destructing to quickly navigate through the shop. This is a common practice in speedrunning, where players exploit unintended mechanics to save crucial seconds. The video is a testament to the sheer enjoyment of watching developers react to the clever and often hilarious ways that players break their games.

The conversation quickly turned to the idea of “official speedrun seeds.” For games that use procedural generation, a “seed” is a specific number or string of characters that generates a fixed map. This means that every time you enter that seed, the layout of the levels, the placement of enemies, and the location of items will be exactly the same. This is crucial for competitive speedrunning, as it removes the element of random chance (RNG) and allows players to perfect their routes, leading to more skill-based, head-to-head competition.

From “Would Be Cool” to a Real Possibility

The developers were clearly excited by the idea. “I’m really hyped for a speedrun seed now,” said Pontus Sundström, the marketing head for REPO. While he was quick to add that this was just a “would be cool list” of ideas, the fact that they are openly discussing it is a huge win for the game’s community. This kind of direct feedback and open dialogue is a hallmark of successful indie development. The devs also referenced the popular horror game Lethal Company, which has also seen its developers consider official seeds due to the passionate speedrunning scene that has emerged around its procedurally generated horror maps. This shows that the developers at semiwork are not only listening to their own community but also looking at the broader indie space for inspiration.

For the speedrunning community, the addition of official seeds would be a game-changer. It would elevate the competitive scene, create new categories for runs, and give players a new way to engage with the game. It’s a testament to the developers’ commitment to their player base and a sign that they are willing to adapt their game to the ways that people are playing it. For a genre as fast-paced and competitive as the one REPO operates in, the ability to remove the element of chance and rely on pure skill would be a welcome addition for all players, not just the speedrunners. While the feature is not yet confirmed, the conversation itself is a victory for the community and a sign of a very bright future for the game.