End Game Debate

[Halastat Dendross]

So here is something me and the wife were talking about since we both play. Where would you say the end of a speed run for this game should be? When you finish the community center, or when you get the statue of perfection?

[dino_inc]

Well, since the inspection is a hard limit at the end of year 2, and not able to be completed earlier, I would say community center completion. Of course, you could also do it by the fastest time to when you would be able to get the statue if the inspection was the next day, rather than when you actually get it.

Or have a set of criteria for finishing the speed run, like maxed tools, all skills, married, happy animals, completed community center, etc. It's really what you want it to be.

[I Kinda Fail]

Either/or. Completely different types of runs. A "speed run" would, to me, imply you're going the Joja route, as it's far easier and efficient. I'd personally ever do the community center again if more rooms or rewarded were added, because frankly, aside from the trophy, the rewards aren't worth it. And the downsides are tremendous.

- Clint mainly, but a few others as well, leave their normal spots to stare at the walls in the CC. I'll go to pick up my pickaxe, and Clint is standing in the CC basement doing nothing.
- Jojamart, which is open until 11pm(?) is closed permanently. Meanwhile, doing the Joja route still leaves Pierre's shop open normally. This also means Shane is out of a job. (Not Sam, though, he works in the museum.)
- CC takes way longer, for me, to completely finish. I can have the mine carts by summer with Joja, and the greenhouse by fall... CC isn't necessarily requires to get to winter, but most people will be before they get rabbit's feet and the like.

But back to the topic. Two different runs.
- Most people can get the statue within 2 years, and you have to wait for year 3, so I'm not sure "speed run" would really apply here, unless you're counting ending days early and whatnot.
- The CC is more luck based, and can be finished at a variety of seasons, so a "speed run" would apply here better, I think.

[Mackenzie]

Both are acceptable categories for speed running the game. I'd call the topic speed running discussion rather than End Game, but that's just me.

Personally had the Community Centre built by Winter 2nd, Year 1 - which took a fair bit of luck with the travelling merchant.

I'm not sure if earning the statue of perfection is possible to obtain prior to Spring 1st, Year 3, but I did manage to get it on that date too. Fun little challenge with how random obtaining the artifacts can be.

Honestly I find it more enjoyable to go for other time-sensitive accomplishments in a speedy fashion. Such as:

-Reaching the bottom of the mines, my record for that is Spring 15th, Year 1.
-Having all 4 iridium tools, my record is Fall 3rd, Year 1.
-Earned money at the start of Summer 1st, Year 1, my record is 139,677g.
-Earned money at the start of Fall 1st, Year 1, my record is 1,020,054g.
-Earned money at the start of Spring 1st, Year 2, my record is 4,695,166g.
-Donated everything possible, my record is Summer 7th, Year 2.
-Have 10 hearts with all villagers, my record is Winter 25th, Year 2.
-Max all 5 skills, my record is Winter 2nd, Year 1. (I could've raised fishing faster but I was going for maximum earnings during the summer and fall)

Other fun things you could try actually at the end game are:

-The maximum amount of money you can earn in one game day tally.
-The most you can earn in one season (or even one year).
-How deep you can get in the skull cavern.
-How much of each ore type you can mine in one day.
-How many mushrooms you can pick in one day.
-How much honey or flavored honey you can produce per 'batch'.
-How many animals can you upkeep max.
-How many slimes you can upkeep max.
-How many crops you can upkeep and harvest per season/year.

Didn't mean for the post to be so lengthy but speed running this game and going for little goals or accomplishments is one of my favorite parts about Stardew Valley, aside from the amazing game itself. Mix it up, try a challenge and have fun with it!

[SlyJungleKitty]

Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather watch a speedrun of the game where they have done everything for the game. I think where they could make it different would be whether or not they completed Joja Mart, or the Community Center.

I watched a speedrun where all they did was complete the bundles. It took them around 5 hours and about 15 minutes. They were so happy, until they checked the site they are competing on against 3 others, only to find out that the top time was almost 3 hours. They must have shopped from the cart - but anyway. Only speedruns I think I'd watch in the future are marriage ones.

To me - the quote, end quote end game, is obtaining the Statue of Perfection. However I don't fully consider the 2 year mark to be the official ending point. I feel that is more of the countdown to the end. Kind of like a - this is your progress to this point. It's like a place card for how much more you may need to do.

[Snow]

I would have to agree that both could be counted, but the comunity center/joja warehouse would be the fastest to get. Jeez, what a long run that would be..

[I Kinda Fail]

There's probably actual "official" speedrun types, but I guess if I had to make up my own "run", my requirements would be

- Married
- Reach bottom of mines
- Upgrade all tools to max
- Make ___ money
- All bundles complete, CC or Joja path
- At least 5 people to 10 hearts, including spouse
- At least 5 stardrops obtained

And your farm must contain
- Slime hutch
- Horse stable
- One of every animal, excluding void and dinosaur
- "Full" greenhouse - every slot taken by a plant or sprinkler

Optional:
- One of every fruit tree, or at least 10 fruit trees
- 5 of every normal tree
- 10 beehives
- paths

I understand completionism, but I prefer runs with some wiggle room. I hate runs where people abuse mechanics or rely on RNG, so I wouldn't include stuff like 100% museum, galaxy sword, etc.

[dino_inc]

Originally posted by I Kinda Fail:

I understand completionism, but I prefer runs with some wiggle room. I hate runs where people abuse mechanics or rely on RNG, so I wouldn't include stuff like 100% museum, galaxy sword, etc.

Abusing mechanics is half the fun of speedruns, as watching speedrunners abuse obscure exploits is pretty fun, for me.

[Halastat Dendross]

Yeah, speedruns need a bit of wiggle room. For compltionist, it is all about taking your time to do it all right. Kinda what makes videos like mine interesting I think. You get to see how every aspect of the game is played to the fullest instead of seeing a part of it VERY briefly

[alicat1235]

there are lots of good ending spots for a speedrun. Making it to the bottom of the mines, getting married, completing the community centre. I think a really good end point for a speed run could be getting into the casino or getting the statue of endless fortune (since both require you to complete a number of steps - bus repaired, Qi quests finished and, for the statue, a lot of money)