Is it possible that a moderator adds the following categories : "Free game Any%", "Free game independance"

I would say provide a run-first as empty categories are sad to look at

Any% :

Currently working on the independance

"Any%" and "The Sunked Dragon" categories added.

I think we need to talk about the categories. As fervast suggested, I also think this game lacks a good free game category. Any% is fun, but it doesn't show anything from the real game. I've tried the idea of the Free Game Independence, (Video will be added), But I am not sure if the category works. The problem is, and you'll see that in the video, that after reaching aristocrats there is literally nothing to do anymore. You simply need to wait for the queen. This means if we run the game at 4x there is a waiting time of over 30 minutes after reaching aristocrats, and that simply doesn't make for a good category. It's tedious. I think we need a better approach. What about reaching aristocrats? or getting to a full palace? Or anything else? I would be interested to hear your suggestions and then I will run the new category.

After some consideration, I’ve identified a few potential categories for our speedruns, each with its own pros and cons. Let me break them down:

a. Largest Amount of Money (500,000 Gold): This category would likely involve a research-heavy speedrun, where runners focus on optimizing strategies to amass wealth quickly. Balancing income and expenditure would be crucial, and depending on the route, it might even involve merchants or (less likely) aristocrats. This could be a very fitting category, as it might encompass a wide range of gameplay elements, making it enjoyable for both runners and viewers.

b. Largest Settlement (20,000 Inhabitants): Similar to the money category, this would also require extensive research and strategy development. However, the most effective strategy might center around building only peasant or settler-level homes, which could become tedious and unengaging. Overall, I think this might not be the best fit, as it risks being monotonous for both participants and the audience.

c. Trader’s Tasks (3, 10, or 30 Tasks): This one is tricky. Completing 30 tasks seems unrealistic due to the long intervals between tasks (likely over 5 minutes), making the run drawn out and boring. However, 3 or 10 tasks could be intriguing. The category would emphasize randomness, quick reactions, and preparation. The unpredictability of tasks and world generation could lead to a fresh and unique experience every time, especially for a 3-task run. However, it could also become boring if the optimal strategy devolves into just staying at the peasant level and waiting for tasks. We need more information on task intervals to make a final judgment, but this has the potential to be an interesting and engaging category.

d. Building the Palace (“Palace %” or “Aristocrat %”): This is essentially a run to reach aristocrats and build a palace, representing a significant portion of the game. It avoids the tedious waiting seen in categories like “Independence” and is more substantial than something like “Settling Islands.” It’s a strong candidate for a category, as it covers a broad spectrum of the game’s features without being too long or short.

e. Settling Islands: This is already an unofficial category and currently the fastest way to achieve victory in the game.

f. Independence: Similar to “Palace %,” but with a 30-minute waiting period that makes it tedious for runners and boring for viewers. The community has already leaned towards deeming this one unfit, and I agree—“Palace %” would be a better alternative.

g. Last Standing (“Extinction %”): This category involves eliminating 3 AI opponents, with a focus on military strategy. This category could require advancing to at least the third population level to access necessary military units, and it offers a unique focus on combat, which could be quite enjoyable depending on the rules we establish.

h. Pirate Pact (“Pirate %”): This might be a dull category, as it revolves around befriending the pirate either by destroying other players’ ships or by paying him off. It could involve a lot of waiting and little action, making it an unlikely candidate for a main category.

i. Colonial Goods: This is similar to “Palace %,” but without reaching aristocrats, stopping at merchants instead. If our goal is to showcase the essence of Anno, “Palace %” would be a better fit, as it inherently includes the elements of a “Colonial Goods %” run.

While victory conditions make for clean categories with a clear endpoint, we can also create our own. These won’t have the satisfaction of a win screen but are still feasible. We could create virtually endless categories: “Research %,” “World Peace %,” “All Goods %,” etc. However, one that stands out to me is:

Aristocrat %: This would represent the ultimate goal in any Anno game: reaching the highest civilization level, which in Anno 1701 is the aristocrats. This category would showcase the best aspects of the game, though it wouldn’t include much in the way of military or naval combat. Whether we go with “Aristocrat %” or “Palace %” is a matter of preference. “Palace %” has the advantage of an in-game victory condition and a more satisfying ending with a win screen, though it requires building three parts of a palace rather than just reaching aristocrats.

For now, I’d suggest we introduce two new categories: “Palace %/Aristocrat %” and “Extinction %.” However, this isn’t a final decision—just an initial proposal. I’m eager to hear what others think and if there are any additional ideas we should consider!