Tool-assisted speedrun

A tool-assisted speedrun or tool-assisted superplay (TAS; /tæs/) is generally defined as a speedrun or playthrough composed of precise inputs recorded with tools such as video game emulators. Tool-assisted speedruns are generally created with the goal of creating theoretically perfect playthroughs. This includes but is not limited to the fastest possible route to complete a game and/or showcasing new ways to optimize existing world records.

Tool-assisted speedrunning concerns itself with research into the theoretical limits of the games and their respective competitive categories. The fastest categories are those without any restrictions and often involve a level of gameplay impractical or even impossible for a human player, while those made according to 'real-time attack' rules serve to research limits doable by human players.

During development of a TAS, its creator (i.e. TASer) has full control over the game's framerate, which when brought down to a still allows frame-by-frame movement to record a sequence of fully precise inputs. Other tools they are equipped with include savestates and branches, rewriting recorded inputs, splicing together best sequences, as well as macros and scripts to perform automated actions. These tools give TAS creators the ability to perform with precision and accuracy beyond what a human player can do.

Tool-assisted speedruns are produced with an emphasis on entertainment value — such as including tricks and stunts that would otherwise be prohibitively difficult to incorporate. However, some authors may choose to lose time in order to produce a more entertaining movie since the fastest route to the intended goal may not be the most exciting.

Because the vast majority of TAS playthroughs are considered humanly impossible, tool-assisted speedruns also serve as a type of proof of concept to demonstrate that a certain way of running the game is possible, however not without some kind of tool assistance, at least at the time of discovery.