The charity speedrun series RTA in Japan has been forced to remove Nintendo titles from its upcoming event after receiving a notice from the company regarding the unauthorized use of its games. This event, scheduled from August 9 to 15, has traditionally raised funds for organizations like Doctors Without Borders, but Nintendo’s notice has added significant complications to its organization.
A completely disastrous marketing decision
According to a statement from RTA in Japan, the video game company has stipulated that the event must request explicit permission to use any Nintendo title in the future. This situation reflects Nintendo’s long history of rejecting public displays of its games, which has previously affected charity events that have had a positive impact and raised considerable sums of money.
The Japanese event was inspired by Games Done Quick, a series of charity speedruns in the United States that also aims to raise funds for social causes. Despite the goodwill that these events usually generate, Nintendo’s intervention has left the organizers uncertain about the future of their charitable initiatives.
In a countercurrent development, a group of speedrunners has discovered a new trick in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which allows saving two minutes in the run, demonstrating that the speedrunning community remains active and finds new ways to optimize the classic game after almost 27 years since its release. Nevertheless, the atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding the relationship between RTA in Japan and Nintendo invites it to explore new dynamics to keep its event relevant while respecting copyright regulations in the process.
