TL;DR
Games Done Quick (GDQ), the biannual charity speedrunning event, is drawing attention to small independent games as well as raising money for causes like the Prevent Cancer Foundation and Doctors Without Borders. Developers of titles such as Bat to the Heavens and Small Saga reported spikes in wishlists, sales and streaming attention after being featured, though runs can expose glitches or unconventional play that worry some creators.
What happened
The ongoing Games Done Quick event, a biannual charity speedrunning series, has become a high-profile outlet for indie games to reach large audiences. Several small titles were featured during recent GDQ runs — including Bat to the Heavens, a 2024 debut platformer, and Small Saga, a turn-based RPG made by a solo developer — and both creators reported immediate upticks in visibility and commercial interest after their runs. Organizers’ focus on inclusion and community has helped foster enthusiasm among players and creators alike. At the same time, developers described mixed feelings: speedruns often push games toward glitches and novel exploits that can reveal unintended behavior, raising anxiety about how a title will appear to viewers. Some runs, however, were relatively clean and presented new players with enough intrigue to explore the games themselves.
Why it matters
- GDQ provides indie developers with large, concentrated exposure that can translate into measurable sales and wishlist increases.
- Speedrunning highlights different aspects of a game's design — sometimes surfacing creative techniques, sometimes revealing bugs — which shapes public perception.
- The event’s inclusive community and emphasis on charity help attract diverse audiences and positive attention for featured projects.
- For small teams and solo creators, a GDQ appearance can be both a financial boost and a professional milestone.
Key facts
- Games Done Quick is a biannual charity speedrunning event that benefits organizations such as the Prevent Cancer Foundation and Doctors Without Borders.
- GDQ exposes featured games to tens of thousands of viewers, according to reporting on recent events.
- Bat to the Heavens, a platformer released in 2024 by developer Ceroro, was showcased at Awesome Games Done Quick 2026 and saw a surge in sales and wishlists afterward.
- Small Saga, a turn-based RPG by solo developer Darya Noghani, drew renewed attention after a GDQ run, including streams on Twitch, social recommendations, and an increase in sales.
- Developers expressed apprehension about speedruns because runners often exploit glitches or skip content, which can sometimes make games appear broken.
- Some runs were relatively glitch-free or used techniques within the intended design, minimizing concerns about negative impressions.
- Creators valued the personal and professional recognition that comes from having a game featured at GDQ.
- GDQ organizers have pursued a top-down approach to diversity and inclusion and have hosted smaller events highlighting marginalized streamers.
What to watch next
- Whether the short-term sales and wishlist spikes for featured indie titles lead to sustained long-term growth is not confirmed in the source.
- How often GDQ will continue to feature modest indie projects at future events is not confirmed in the source.
- How the community and runners handle fragile or glitch-prone titles during high-profile runs is not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Speedrunning: Playing a game with the goal of completing it as fast as possible, often using optimized routes, tricks, and exploits.
- Indie game: A video game created by an individual or small team without the financial backing of a major publisher.
- Glitch: An unintended behavior or flaw in a game that can be used or encountered during play, sometimes exploited in speedruns.
- Wishlist: On digital storefronts, a list where users save games they intend to buy or follow for updates and sales.
- Games Done Quick (GDQ): A recurring charity speedrunning event that streams runs and raises money for nonprofit organizations.
Reader FAQ
What is Games Done Quick?
A biannual charity speedrunning event that streams runs and raises funds for nonprofit groups such as the Prevent Cancer Foundation and Doctors Without Borders.
Do indie developers benefit from being featured?
Developers in the reporting described noticeable increases in wishlists, sales and streaming attention after GDQ exposure.
Are glitches during runs a problem for developers?
Many developers feel anxious because runners may exploit glitches or push games to break, though some runs were reported to be relatively clean.
Does GDQ focus on diversity?
The event has taken a top-down approach to diversity and inclusion and has hosted smaller events to highlight marginalized streamers, according to reporting.
GAMING ENTERTAINMENT PC GAMING A charity speedrunning event has turned into a perfect showcase for smaller games Getting a game featured during Games Done Quick can be both financially and…
Sources
- A charity speedrunning event has turned into a perfect showcase for smaller games
- Awesome Games Done Quick 2026, a week-long charity …
- Games Done Quick
- Games Done Quick's New Disability and Neurodivergence …
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