After the WR was beaten recently, it has come to my attention that there are multiple problems with how the boards are currently set up.

Problem #1: Inaccurate times. The final time for the current WR run is wrong, as are many of the IL times; they use the LiveSplit timer time instead of a proper frame-by-frame re-timing tool like SPRT. This should be rectified, especially for ILs where milliseconds actually matter. On that note, it's generally improper to list milliseconds on full game times unless the category is competitive enough that the top times are only a couple seconds apart (which is not the case here, at least not yet).

Problem #2: The rules don't require game audio. Requiring audio is a very common rule across most games (Nitrome or not) that mostly serves to enforce a higher standard of proof and help prevent cheating/splicing. The game rules (NOT category rules) should therefore reflect this and specify that all runs require video proof with game audio. Even if the community is fine with audio not being required (which for all I know, it may be), the rules should mention it considering how common it is for speedruns to require game audio in general.

Problem #3: It's not clear enough when time starts and ends, both for full runs and for ILs. For the sake of clarity, the rules should say something like "Time ends after defeating the dragon on level 15 (on the first frame the skip button is visible)" rather than just saying time ends after defeating the dragon. Same goes for the start time (maybe "on the first frame the screen starts to fade" ?) and IL start/end points ("immediately after entering the level" in particular is not clear enough).

Problem #4: It is not specified anywhere whether you are required to start from a fresh game file or not. To the uninitiated, it's not immediately clear that the "fast level start" technique can be done on a save file where the levels are not already unlocked. Since there is a trick that involves going back to the level selection screen, the category rules should be clearer. Even if starting from a fresh file is not required, the rules should still say something like "It is not required to start from a fresh game file, but you must play as if the game had been reset. You are allowed to use the fast level start trick after defeating the previous dragon, but you are not allowed to skip a level without defeating its dragon."

Problem #5: The rules say nothing about resizing the game window. When playing Nitrome games straight from a file, rather than through the website, you can sometimes resize the game window to allow you to see more of the game than the default window size allows. This is banned in most games, especially when you gain an advantage from it, because it's not something you're able to do when playing the game on the original website (or through Supernova). Again, even if you wish to allow it for this game, the rules should be clear, because there is a precedent of banning it in most other Nitrome games. Ex.: "You are (/ are not) allowed to stretch the display in a way that lets you see anything outside of the basic window size."

Problem #6: nodrog has two visible runs on the Any% leaderboard. It seems to be because this one has no Platform specified. This should be a very easy fix.

Good observations, I will change the rules to be more precise, and as for existing records, what do you think should be done with them? If let's say I add a rule that an extended window is not allowed, should I then delete all speedruns that were previously done in an extended window?

Do not delete the runs and don’t ban extended window my dude that’s like the only way to play old flash games

Do not delete the runs and don’t ban extended window my dude that’s like the only way to play old flash games

I agree that deleting old runs after a rule change is something you just don't do, for the obvious reason that they were valid when performed, and also to preserve the category's history.

However, it's definitely not true that playing with a resized/extended window is "the only way to play old flash games". For one, if you play through a browser (either the original Flash version, the HTML5 port, or through Supernova), you can't see anything beyond the standard window borders at all. And even if you don't use a web browser, the game is still playable through Flashpoint (some setup is required) or an unlocked SWF. You're able to resize the window then, but I don't see why you would need or want to.

I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to share any links here, so feel free to join the Nitrome Speedrunning Discord server if you want more information on different methods of playing the game.

So you don’t mean a window outside the browser ie supernova. Plus that’s just how the game is recorded nobody doing the runs can actually see the stuff on the side. Any decisions should also be put through nodrog first. I understand that it says that he hasn’t been active for months on speedruns website but this community has been dead for 3+ years. Most of the original guys are still in talks about it too. This shouldn’t be the decision one or two people especially if they are just now talking about it

I am for allowing the window to be extended, it does not give any significant advantage, at least in this game, the serpents always move the same way. As for the sound in the runs, it should be specified that the game sound is required and the save state is optional, because it does not make any difference. I am of the opinion that the time should start from the first frame, when the game menu starts to fade and the level number plate becomes visible, and the run should end on the first frame, when the "skip" message is visible after killing the serpent. What do you think?

The biggest problem I have is with the records in individual levels because you can start the level from the menu and in this way you have to wait for the character to fly down to the serpent which adds about 3 seconds to the run and there is also a second way, namely clicking the next level after killing the previous serpent which cancels the whole time you have to wait for the character to fall, only the problem is that in order to have one attempt to kill the serpent as quickly as possible you have to kill the previous serpent each time (or die and click restart level). In your opinion, should both methods be allowed or only the method of starting levels from the menu?

Any decisions should also be put through nodrog first. I understand that it says that he hasn’t been active for months on speedruns website but this community has been dead for 3+ years. Most of the original guys are still in talks about it too. This shouldn’t be the decision one or two people especially if they are just now talking about it

I agree, this should be a decision made by the whole community.

I am for allowing the window to be extended, it does not give any significant advantage, at least in this game, the serpents always move the same way. As for the sound in the runs, it should be specified that the game sound is required and the save state is optional, because it does not make any difference. I am of the opinion that the time should start from the first frame, when the game menu starts to fade and the level number plate becomes visible, and the run should end on the first frame, when the "skip" message is visible after killing the serpent. What do you think?

That seems reasonable. Like I said at first, the most important thing is that the rules are clear on what is and is not allowed, no matter what decision is taken in regards to game audio and window size requirements.

The biggest problem I have is with the records in individual levels because you can start the level from the menu and in this way you have to wait for the character to fly down to the serpent which adds about 3 seconds to the run and there is also a second way, namely clicking the next level after killing the previous serpent which cancels the whole time you have to wait for the character to fall, only the problem is that in order to have one attempt to kill the serpent as quickly as possible you have to kill the previous serpent each time (or die and click restart level). In your opinion, should both methods be allowed or only the method of starting levels from the menu?

I don't think it makes sense to allow both methods; you should pick one, for the sake of simplicity/convenience and to ensure all IL times can be compared with each other. I think starting from the menu makes the most sense, but as long as it's possible to start from a reset after a failed run, either way is probably fine.

"Any decisions should also be put through nodrog first. I understand that it says that he hasn’t been active for months on speedruns website but this community has been dead for 3+ years. Most of the original guys are still in talks about it too. This shouldn’t be the decision one or two people especially if they are just now talking about it

That's why I proposed what the rules could look like and asked for your opinion. I already wrote to nodrog asking for his opinion on these changes on the forum, now we just have to wait. And the question is how much time has to pass and how many people have to express their opinion to agree on the rules

Overall, I generally agree with these suggestions. I'm having Toosa help retime the runs and clarifying the rules as suggested by Nate_Nitrogen.