Designing Symphonia’s Features for Speedrunners

Symphonia launched on December 5, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, offering a delightful blend of unique level design, precise platforming, and features that speedrunners will love. Let’s delve into the world of speedrunning through player insights and suggestions.

From the very start, Symphonia was crafted to celebrate precision and timing. It was initially intended to introduce classical music through gameplay, but its smooth mechanics and expansive level design quickly captured the attention of the speedrunning community. After countless hours dedicated to refining character controls, we aimed to create a rewarding experience for both casual and competitive players, offering additional depth for those eager to explore it. This vision shaped the game’s mechanics and collectibles.

Symphonia presents various intriguing elements to challenge enthusiasts. The hero, Philemon, is a violinist navigating a silent world with a singular purpose: to reunite the orchestra’s prodigies. Philemon’s greatest asset is his violin bow, which acts as a pogo stick, catapult, or grapple as you progress through the game. Mastering the ability to glide through the air with precision is a rewarding challenge, especially for those who thrive on exacting timing. Each moment demands precision and is perfect for speedrunners striving for frame-perfect runs.

Some of our team members are passionate speedrunners themselves, having enjoyed titles such as Celeste and Katana Zero. Even when Symphonia was just an idea for a student project back in 2020, we challenged each other to speed runs, exchanged times, and some of us even kept discovered glitches secret for a strategic advantage! This passion also spread to our audience. A demo we released garnered 500,000 downloads, inspiring many to submit their times on speedrun.net. Realizing the potential of our project, we established a studio post-university to realize the full vision. Four years later, we proudly presented the complete game.

Challenges in Symphonia go beyond precision platforming, too. We intentionally incorporated features and designed levels with speedrunning in mind. Slight changes, like nudging a block or collider just a few pixels, can unlock inventive paths. Additionally, collectible music notes, hidden in difficult spots, reward players for taking risks and experimenting, reminiscent of the strawberries in Celeste. Completing all levels reveals Shadow Philemon, a replica of your character trailing behind, challenging you to avoid mishaps. Unique abilities like double jumping or cushioning all surfaces were originally intended as accessibility options but have become tools for creativity and challenge-building.

Excitement grew with our December release, as we engaged a dedicated speedrunning audience through spirited discussions on our community Discord.

Watching the rise of speedrunning over the last couple of decades has been nothing short of astonishing. Once a niche pastime, it’s now a global phenomenon, with games across all genres joining in, from shooters to strategy and RPGs. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube have broadened speedrunning’s reach, while events like Games Done Quick (GDQ) illustrate its impact, raising millions for charity. GDQ hosts major charity events biannually alongside weekly Hotfix streams, keeping viewers hooked.

Talking to Queuety, GDQ’s showrunner, he shared why speedrunning captivates him: “Speedrunning turns any game into both a puzzle and a competitive performance, something which fascinates me and keeps me coming back.”

Our publisher, Dieter Schoeller, has equally embraced the game’s speedrunning roots, drawing from his own experiences with classics like Quake 3 and Sonic the Hedgehog. Dieter, who loves speedrunning because “the person to beat is no one but yourself,” and our publishing partners saw the community’s enthusiasm. They reached out to GDQ for collaboration, and we were thrilled when GDQ’s team wanted to feature Symphonia. Participating in a GDQ Hotfix episode was unforgettable, with a chance to share live commentary alongside community support. You can check out the episode here.

If this has sparked your interest in speedrunning, diving in is a fantastic way to contribute and connect with others. We welcome you to try Symphonia and join our Discord channel for speedrunning conversations. Whether you embrace the speedrunner’s spirit or simply enjoy a deep journey, we hope Symphonia brings you joy and wonder.

In Symphonia’s world, music is life. But with its orchestra gone, the realm fell silent. Philemon, a mysterious musician, seeks to rebuild the orchestra, navigating this vibrant world with his violin. It’s both an instrument and a means of traversal, propelling players through thrilling platforming challenges while revitalizing the world.

Explore musical environments filled with charming characters and recruit musicians to play in awe-inspiring concerts. Enjoy the unique romantic-period soundtrack by Olivier Esman, performed by the Scoring Orchestra Paris. Unleash Philemon’s abilities to conquer challenges and awaken the world of Symphonia.

Explore, perform, gather the orchestra, and bring joy back to Symphonia.