Games Done Quick (GDQ) is a twice-a-year video game speedrun charity marathon held in the United States. It was first organized by the Speed Demos Archive and SpeedRunsLive communities. Since 2015, the event has been managed by Games Done Quick, LLC. Starting in 2010, these events have collected money for various charities.

The two main events hosted by GDQ are Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) and Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ). AGDQ happens in early January each year and supports the Prevent Cancer Foundation. SGDQ usually takes place in late June or early July and helps fund Doctors Without Borders. Both events last for seven days. In addition to these, GDQ also holds smaller marathons, special events for unique occasions, and regular broadcasts called GDQ Hotfix throughout the year.

The events are shown live on Twitch and also broadcast at the same time on YouTube since AGDQ 2026. Viewers can donate during the streams to earn rewards, such as choosing names for game files or characters, encouraging runners to try harder challenges, or entering contests for prizes. As of January 2026, more than $59.8 million has been raised through over one million donations.

Format

Speedrunners show their skill by completing video games as quickly as possible. They perform these runs in front of an audience and through live broadcasts on Twitch. Some runs may involve special challenges, such as finishing every level in a game, completing a game while blindfolded, or competing against other runners to see who finishes first. Games played during events like Games Done Quick include both older and newer video games. These runs usually include commentary from the runner or experienced commentators, as well as messages from viewers that are read by an announcer.

Many popular runs include the use of video game glitches and conversations between the runner and commentators. These discussions often explain techniques or include friendly jokes and banter. Humor and friendly conversation are especially common during parts of the game that do not require much skill. Donations from viewers may include jokes that are understood by members of the speedrunning community, as well as personal messages about the donations. Because the events are live and seen by many people, runners and commentators are encouraged to avoid using strong language or behaving in a way that could be offensive.

When making a donation, supporters can choose how their money is used. Options include extra speedruns, demonstrations of special tricks or glitches, or making a choice in the game, such as naming the player character.

History

Writer and speedrunner Eric Koziel says two important events happened before Games Done Quick started. These were the "Desert Bus for Hope" donation drive organized by LoadingReadyRun in November 2007, and a series of charity speedrun marathons held by TheSpeedGamers starting in March 2008.

Users of the site Speed Demos Archive decided to hold a charity marathon in January 2010 during MAGFest 8. The event focused on 8-bit and 16-bit video games and was called "Classic Games Done Quick," named after the 1990s speedrunning project Quake Done Quick. Internet problems at the MAGFest hotel forced SDA administrator Mike Uyama to move the event to his mother's home. However, the event raised over $10,000 for CARE.

After this success, the first Awesome Games Done Quick marathon took place in January 2011. It lasted five days instead of two, included newer games like Halo and Portal, and raised more than $50,000 for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The first Summer Games Done Quick marathon happened in August 2011, raising $20,000 for the Organization for Autism Research. Both events have happened every year since, raising much more money than they did early on.

A one-time marathon in March 2011, called Japan Relief Done Quick, helped victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It raised over $25,000. Another one-time event in March 2015 celebrated the 10th anniversary of the God of War franchise. Over five hours, God of War Done Quick raised $3,500 for The AbleGamers Foundation.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Summer 2020 marathon, both 2021 marathons, and the Winter 2022 marathon were held online. In-person attendance returned for SGDQ 2022 with strict rules like social distancing, masks, and vaccine requirements. All attendees needed full COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, and some runners participated remotely. The Winter AGDQ 2023 event was planned to be in-person in Orlando, Florida, but moved online after controversies about Florida's laws on LGBTQ+ rights and vaccines. This decision caused financial problems for the organization. Organizers said the event was a "make-or-break deal" that limited future growth. They also said they would not risk people's safety for money. Mike Uyama, a key organizer, stepped down from his role in 2023 to focus on health and other activities, but later postponed his departure to help his replacement.

In its early years, GDQ faced criticism for allowing unfair comments from runners and commentators, and its Twitch chat was not monitored. Founder Mike Uyama later said he did not know much about LGBTQ+ issues until 2012 or 2013. From 2016 to 2018, GDQ worked harder to address these problems. The organization adopted a rule against harassment, banning some people. It also reached out to underrepresented groups through groups like Frame Fatales and special streams called Hotfix.

Over time, a tradition developed at GDQ events: donors who gave money often said "trans rights" when their messages were read during speedruns. The audience began shouting "trans rights" back in unison, even if it was not the usual time for that phrase.

Speedrunning records have been set at GDQ marathons for games like Super Mario Galaxy 2, Superman 64, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3.

List of marathons

This event, originally named Classic Games Done Quick (CGDQ), happens every year in early January. It helps raise money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

This marathon was started in 2011 as a companion to AGDQ. It usually takes place in late June or early July and helps raise money for Doctors Without Borders. Since 2015, the event has mostly been held in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area.

Games Done Quick Express (GDQx) is an annual three-day marathon held at TwitchCon since 2018. There was no GDQx event in 2020 or 2021 because TwitchCon was canceled those years. There was also no GDQx event at the 2022 TwitchCon.

Frame Fatales is a week-long event that includes only women and non-binary participants. It began in 2019 as a four-day event and started raising money for the Malala Fund in 2020. By 2022, the event was held twice a year—in February–March as Frost Fatales and in August as Flame Fatales.

Controversies

As GDQ events have become more popular, there have been several controversies. Some players and commentators have been banned, and the stream chat has sometimes been muted. GDQ has advised attendees to avoid conversations that cause disagreement or controversy and to avoid harassing others. Some people have been banned for making inappropriate comments, though some critics believe certain bans may not have been fair.

In 2017, a commentator named PvtCinnamonBun was banned from all future GDQ events after supposedly wearing a "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) hat on stream shortly after Donald Trump became president. This incident happened during GDQ's shift to stricter rules for behavior between 2016 and 2018. Before this change, some runners who wore MAGA hats or acted in ways that caused conflict were allowed to attend events. However, Kotaku reported that PvtCinnamonBun’s ban was later revoked because the hat was not actually a MAGA hat. He was banned again for unplugging a power strip cable. Another speedrunner, Cyberdemon531, was banned for owning a MAGA hat.

In 2018, a speedrunner named "BubblesDelFuego" was banned from all future GDQ events after sharing edible medicinal cannabis with a friend, which caused the friend to have a panic attack and be taken to the hospital. Bubbles used cannabis for chronic pain from health issues related to Hodgkin lymphoma. He told Kotaku he understood the reason for his ban but believed GDQ staff had incorrect information about tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active chemical in cannabis.

At SGDQ 2019, a speedrunner named "QuinnAce" (formerly "ConnorAce") used a spliced run to unfairly claim the world record for the "NoAbility%" category in the game Clustertruck. This prevented the legitimate record holder from being invited. The run was suspicious because it was not officially submitted to speedrun.com, and the video was unlisted on YouTube before QuinnAce joined SGDQ. In October 2019, the YouTuber Apollo Legend exposed the run.

At AGDQ 2020, several runners, including "Luzbelheim" (or "Luz"), were scheduled to participate in a relay playthrough of Final Fantasy VIII. However, Luz’s Twitter bio went viral for stating he dislikes "feminazism," identifies as "deminonbinary," and uses the pronouns "luz/luz." Some online news outlets criticized GDQ organizers for allowing Luz to play in the relay. Luz was banned, but details about the ban’s length were not provided.

At SGDQ 2022, a speedrunner named "Mekarazium" admitted to faking a run of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Blade Wolf DLC. The game was played remotely, unlike most others at the event, and the DLC was a donation incentive. While the main game was played live by Mekarazium, the DLC was pre-recorded. Viewers noticed inconsistencies in the run. Mekarazium admitted to faking the run and was banned from future GDQ events.