Since I got back into this, I've being banging my head trying to find a value to help us with load times. I've just found something that might help. All it needs is some testing.
How to use:
In livesplit, you can add in your layout (edit layout, click +), "scriptable auto splitter" Go in "layout settings" once this is added and click the "scriptable auto splitter" tab, click browse and point it to file https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SVwAd6p-p8JnxmcIvuZMjvyGYwIQOetF/view?usp=sharing You may need to restart the game or livesplit if it doesn't work. (You can see it working by changing "compare against...Game Time", also you can add a new timer and use that for just game time)
How it works:
My thoughts: it seems really good on some levels (starting when you actually gain movement even if loading screen is still up) but on others it doesn't act the same way. This could be a game that will never get an accurate load remover because of this.
EDIT: Just making it clear, I don't think I would outright swap RTA for IGT. I just like having load removers.
EDIT 2: It's more of a gameplay timer with it not working in the menu, having done a full run, it appears the only level that it is isn't consistent on is the first level. Left is RTA, right is gameplay time. looks about right to me tbh. 
I tried to get the lantern for about 20 mins but I couldn't pick it up once. I will say something I did notice while trying this though. The score doesn't increase on the UI but still increases in the background. I wonder if possibly you're picking up an object you shouldn't be (somehow the ones under the table are hitting you) and you just don't realise. I checked this in cheat engine to see.
I've filled out most from my latest run so have at it
Hey
I've added ILs for each level, I'll explain the timing and rules here:
Each level starts with a set timer, when the finish the level the timer stops.
Simply take away the time you ended on with the start time of the level and use that as your time. Don't submit what you got with livesplit or if you counted the frames. It's more consistent to use this method than those.
Video required and must only show the level.
EDIT: I forgot you can do timer levels which are basically the same but it shows you the time you got after you finished the level.
Example run: https://www.speedrun.com/tweotw/run/y43jojkz
Dunno if this is known but it appears to me that sometimes even if you take the same route, you can be locked out on continuing still. This could be a glitch and will only happen one time.
44 (billion) is needed to be able to pick up the slightly bigger blocks but you can see I wasn't able to pick them up until around 63 (billion)
There is 2 secret levels in the game, taken from steam: "Hold P on keyboard while loading Sugar Candy level to get secret level. Hold U on keyboard while loading Arcadia to get secret level."
I've never timed the levels myself. If you decide to time them however, please let me know the results.
You might be spamming start too much, it is possible to go into the pause screen and then go out of it again. If you have a video, I would like to see you trying.
Scarlet hills is ahead captain obvious cutscene skip
Reroute of pawnshop order
Buying the map after the tree, this results in a 13 second timesave, you will need to find new references for the man mo map glitch and the book skip map glitch. I have included my references. (NOTE: references are 4:3)
I'm sure because it's already written in the rules but I'd like to just say to enforce NG only and ban NG+ for this category. From what I understand, you can't share saves between profiles on console but it would be very easy to use an already completed save for NG+ for PC. Makes it a little unfair between the platforms so best to keep it consistent.
Timing and subjective and cheats:
Make it the same as GTA3 and VC for timing start. Once the loading screen is gone start time. Honestly everyone should restart the game between resets. Since I found out in GTA3 the longer you have the game running, the more out of sync in game timing gets, I've always restarted my game in any game I run. It's pretty much known that some values aren't removed when you start a new game without restarting. Enough for me to say restart. Isn't there an FPS thing you can do to make startup almost instant? If this is the case, you have no excuse other than laziness for restarting your game. Accidental cheats shouldn't be allowed, use AHK to avoid it.
Runs with no video:
Read: Eben post on this because I agree with him
All Missions:
"We want all story missions category, no we don't we want no major glitches category, no we don't we want all missions" how about do a run of the category, get interest in the category and then it might be added? So bored of all these category changes whenever they feel like complaining.
FLYING:
I know you said no mention of this but here is a suggestion. How about give him until the 30th of October (1 month after his runs have been removed) to prove himself and if he has nothing, perm ban him. Fool me once etc... We shouldn't have any tolerance for this anymore after the last few months.
This post goes for shenmue 1 as well so I won't repost.
I think we should just stick to RTA if you can't remove all loading times. Doing it manually is prone to human error also so it's never going to be truly accurate so I'd rather it never be a thing. Sometimes there just isn't an easy answer to a problem like this so it's best to stick with what works over trying to fix it. I will say though that I don't believe softmodded consoles should be allowed. It's a clear cut advantage over running on disc.
THIS IS INFORMATION REGRADING THE RE-RELEASE
I'm going to go in order for the run, but to start things. You have the choice of running English or Japanese, English as far as we understand is the fastest version right now.
Make sure to check the post on downgrading. (SEE: https://www.speedrun.com/shenmue2/thread/u22hg )
Stolen bag new route for HD version Doesn't need to be done on the original version but must be done on the re-release.
Route back to Man Mo after Delin skip top left = green > south > wise > man mo 1st top right = green > golden > lucky > man mo 4th bottom left = green > white > lucky > man mo 3rd bottom right = green > white > south > wise > man mo 2nd
Loading times are better on the re-release so only follow this if you run re-release, original version, keep with the old route.
Start of library service to collect antiques
After talking to the guy at collect antiques, 180 turn, open menu and go back to the inventory page. These are re-release only timesaves.
Fast cups cutscene at dou jiang Enter left door, hold left, triggers cutscene instantly. Can be done on original and re-release.
Finding Ren after giving him $500 (bottom left is old route, top right is new route) Can be done on original and re-release.
1BF consistent Can be done on original and re-release.
floor 5 of the yellow head building Can be done on original and re-release.
Firewood Can be done on original and re-release.
Skipping second herb cutscene Re-release only.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1086279994
This guide is a good starting point to learning how to downgrade but I don't want any confusion of which version is the right one to download so once you get to step 7 of this guide.
"download_depot 758330 758332 8248377838039229454" is the version that is currently the fastest.
Once this is downloaded, check back with the guide and follow the last stages of it to make sure it doesn't auto-update.
As it stands: PC is up to patch 1.04 and console is up to 1.02 (1.50 on xbox one). With patch 1.00 being the fastest version on both. (XBO is currently unknown)
THIS IS OUTDATED, CHECK THE NEWEST POST BELOW ON THE NEW WAY TO DOWNGRADE
NO LONGER OUTDATED, THIS POST CAN BE FOLLOWED AGAIN
I've made a video of the differences in the versions so far. The hope is that this is fixed in version 3, but if not, you will have to downgrade your game. (don't watch this video, watch the video below)
(Disregard everything I'm saying about skipping the fight to find Ren, I'm dumb)
Patch v2 has made some previously skippable cutscenes unskippable.
cool z we're leaving scene: 36 seconds joy and wong scene: 41 seconds saying bye to wong: 1 min 10 seconds
I don't know if these cutscenes have also been made unskippable in NG+.
