Bunny Hopping
A movement technique that lets Quake speedrunners move much more quickly through levels.
Stratemeyer Syndicate · Public domain
Bunny hopping is a movement technique used in the Quake done Quick series of collaborative speedruns. The source states that the technique "enabled runners to move much more quickly through levels" and was a key discovery that made the Quake done Quick with a Vengeance speedrun over four minutes faster than its predecessor. It allowed runners to save rockets and grenades for other tricks, since certain parts of the game could now be completed without them. The technique is used without cheats, as part of legitimate speedrunning.
- Primary Function
- Momentum conservation and speed increase
- Gameplay Impact
- Alters movement speed and trajectory
Lore & Background
In the Quake done Quick series, bunny hopping emerged as a pivotal technique that transformed speedrunning. The source notes that the Quake done Quick with a Vengeance speedrun, which completed the entire game in 0:12:23 on "Easy" difficulty, was "largely made possible by the discovery of bunny hopping." This discovery surpassed the initial expectations of the runners. Before bunny hopping, the game was completed in 0:16:35 (Quake done Quicker) and 0:19:49 (the original Quake done Quick). The technique allowed runners to move much more quickly through levels, saving rockets and grenades for other tricks since certain parts of the game could now be completed without them.
In Their Own Story
The Quake done Quick team, a group of collaborative speedrunners, discovered that bunny hopping could dramatically improve their times. The source highlights that the Quake done Quick with a Vengeance run succeeded Quake done Quicker and the original Quake done Quick movie. By using bunny hopping, runners could complete levels faster than ever before, leading to a total time of 0:12:23 on the hardest difficulty level. This feat was so notable that Slashdot featured the movie on its front page, and the machinima movies of Quake done Quick became far more popular than conventional speedruns, with some distributed with gaming magazines and posted on news sites.
Reader's Guide
To perform bunny hopping in Quake done Quick, runners use shortcuts or tricks to achieve faster times. The source states that "most playthroughs use shortcuts or tricks, such as bunny hopping and rocket jumping, in order to achieve a faster time." The technique involves repeated jumping while strafing to maintain and increase momentum. In the Quake done Quick series, this allowed runners to move much more quickly through levels. The technique was so effective that it saved rockets and grenades for other tricks, as certain parts of the game could now be completed without them. The collaborative speedrun format, where multiple runners each complete a specific part of the game, allowed runners to focus their practice on mastering bunny hopping for individual levels.
Did You Know?
- Bunny hopping was a key discovery that made the Quake done Quick with a Vengeance speedrun over four minutes faster than its predecessor.
- The technique allowed runners to save rockets and grenades for other tricks, since certain parts of the game could now be completed without them.
- Quake done Quick with a Vengeance completed the entire game in 0:12:23 on 'Easy' difficulty, not 'Nightmare' as often misreported.
- Before bunny hopping, the game was completed in 0:16:35 (Quake done Quicker) and 0:19:49 (the original Quake done Quick).
- The Quake done Quick with a Vengeance movie was featured on the front page of Slashdot.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bunny hopping in Quake?
Bunny hopping is a movement technique that exploits the id Tech engine's physics to allow players to conserve and increase momentum. By repeatedly jumping while strafing, players can bypass standard speed caps and travel significantly faster than normal running.
Which game popularized bunny hopping as a core mechanic?
While the technique originated in the original Quake engine, it became a defining element of competitive play during the release of Quake II. This era cemented strafe jumping as an essential skill for mastering level traversal and combat encounters.
How does a player perform bunny hopping correctly?
Players must execute rhythmic jumps while simultaneously strafing left or right to build up velocity without losing momentum upon landing. Mastering the timing of these inputs allows for sustained high-speed aerial maneuvers across the map.
Why is bunny hopping critical in competitive Quake matches?
In high-level play, this mechanic transforms standard maps into dynamic obstacle courses where movement speed dictates survival and engagement opportunities. Players who cannot maintain momentum are often outmaneuvered by opponents utilizing advanced strafe techniques.
Does bunny hopping change the game's story or lore?
No, bunny hopping is purely a mechanical exploit of the source code and has no impact on the narrative, character powers, or canonical events within the Quake universe. It exists solely as a tool for players to manipulate physics for competitive advantage.
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