Thanks! I'm interested in how this idea will play out in a trial.

Hitman WoA: Category Extensions

As a trial, difficulty has been changed from a subcategory to a variable. This effectively merges the pro and master category extension runs onto one leaderboard. 

The difficulty is still indicated on the leaderboard, and if you wish to submit both a professional and master run, both runs will show up.

The reasoning behind this change: There simply is not as much interest in master difficulty category extensions to really justify existence as a separate category. 

With the exception of master/ default loadout, which is relatively popular. However, merging the leaderboard will help the master/ default loadout runs in most cases, as the master/ default runs have become more optimized than the pro/ default loadout runs in several levels.

If the change proves unpopular, it is easy to revert.

There are currently no plans to apply this difficulty merge to the main leaderboard (https://www.speedrun.com/hitman_3), as there is a higher level of interest in playing Master there.

Difficulty Subcategories

After some deliberation with the moderator team, the decision has been made to retire the "Default Loadout/ Any Start" category.

While an interesting concept, there were several problems with the category, in terms of logistics.

The original idea of the category was to see which default loadout/ default start records could be beaten from a non-default start, while using default loadout still.

Originally, all default loadout/ default start records were submitted to default loadout/ any start as well for completion's sake, but this became unsustainable over the long term. 

Accepting only non-default start runs into "default loadout/ any start" was considered, but this resulted in people submitting slower runs on purpose than the existing default loadout/ default start strategies.

And explaining how any of the default loadout categories to newcomers was always very cumbersome (even the name of the category is so long).

The category was also just very unpopular in general.

In the end, I don't think the category is a good fit for Speedrun.com's site layout, it is better suited as a personal challenge away from Speedrun,com.
I have archived the category here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pbQCvOgzn0w4KuQ_erNunVKlQFKf4YvGHhQA5Otd_ng/edit?usp=sharing for anyone who wants to build off of the existing knowledge and keep pushing the idea further.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In other news: After internal moderator discussion, we are staying firm to keeping difficulty (Pro/Master) as only a variable for Category Extensions. We understand that some users are not pleased by this decision, but the moderator position is that merging the subcategories improves visibility and ease of use of the site overall.

Default Category Update

Solderq35

ThatObserver

Hitman: Codename 47

Hitman 2: Silent Assassin

Hitman: Contracts

Hitman: Blood Money

Hitman: Absolution

Freedom Fighters

Minecraft: Java Edition

Hitman: Sniper Challenge

Rocket League

Hitman (2016)

Hitman GO: Definitive Edition

Hitman: Sniper Assassin

Hitman 2

Ghostrunner

Hitman: World of Assassination

Phantom Abyss

Hitman WoA: Elusive Targets [Peacock]

Hitman WoA: Escalations

Grapple Hoops

Neon White

Anger Foot (Steam)

Neon White Category Extensions

Crab Champions

Hitman WoA: Freelancer

Ghostrunner 2

Sheepy: A Short Adventure

Zebulaus

Default Group