The Tragic Story of Metroid Prime Speedrunning's Biggest Bounty

Metroid Prime speedrunning had a massive bounty for impossible world records, but something weird happened.
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Special Thanks to these Prime Speedrunners:
Metroid0925: / @m092
JustinDM: / @justindm
TRR: / @trr
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Resources:
Metroid Prime Speedrunning LB: www.speedrun.c...
Metroid Prime Speedrun discord: / discord
Metroid Prime Any% Tutorial: • Metroid Prime Any% Beg...
M92's 21% LOTAD: • Metroid Prime 21% Dama...
T3's Any% WR: • Metroid Prime - 0:44 A...
JustinDM's 21% Record: • Metroid Prime - 1:33 2...
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Music:
Metroid Prime - Tallon Overworld
Silent Hill - Claw Finger
Axium Waves - Untitled 4
Super Monkey Ball 2 - Monkey Shot (Expert Stage)
Legend of Dragoon - Divine Tree
Baba Is You - Crystal Is Still
System Shock 2 - Med Sci 1
Final Fantasy X - Guadosalam
SMT Nocturne - Beelzebub
Silent Hill 2 - Prisonic Fairytale

[@DoctorSwellman]

EDIT: I made an error stating that T3 did not use discord. He does and has since 2016, but wasn't actively participating in the Prime 1 speedrunning discord at that time. Also, here's some additional context from T3 on being contacted about the bounty: "I was contacted on discord by jacktherigger and several others about the bounty in Feb 2022. I responded, he never replied and ghosted. I run prime for my personal enjoyment not money so I don't really care if he delivers or not." Thank you all for watching!

[@jojocraftybot]

let report that liar scamming bitch.😈

[@simonhouse4126]

You got dannmg right I did 🤍🐲

[@maurobrunno6032]

what a chad

[@Nemo2342]

I'm definitely getting old (or at least more cynical), because I saw "$1000 bounty" and immediately thought it wouldn't be worth it once you converted it to an hourly rate.

[@DoctorSwellman]

Imagine if you had to pay taxes on it too 😅

[@drowningin]

Well if you are playing it for free a lot of the time anyway

[@Nemo2342]

@@drowningin If he was just giving a prize if new records were set, then maybe. However these were clearly designed to get people to really work, and work hard, to find new routes or just grind out attempts until all the RNG fell into place.

[@codahighland]

​@@DoctorSwellman You DO have to pay taxes on it...

[@MarioLuigi0404]

Bounties aren’t supposed to be a sustainable source of income. This is the same fundamental misunderstanding that happened with the BotW Multiplayer bounty. They’re meant to serve as an extra little bit of motivation for people who are already trying to do something, in this case set a lower and lower record.

[@Kasaaz]

As soon as I saw 'or BTC'... Well, lets just say Jack might not HAVE the money to pay people anymore even if he wanted to.

[@GamerNym]

Yeah I saw that and realized I was more sad than mad about this. Still mad. Just more sad.

[@drowningin]

Plus COVID, he may of lost job. It happens

[@inthefade]

@@drowningin may *have

[@drowningin]

@@inthefade you may want to get a job grading papers instead *have annoying people in KZbin comments

[@ZeroKitsune]

@@drowningin If you'd bothered to learn grammar the first time, you wouldn't have to get so annoyed at people correcting you all the time.

[@bramble553]

"...Paid Out in either US Dollars or *Bitcoin.*" Gee, I sure do wonder what went wrong here.

[@TigeriPlaysGames]

guy who uses crypto is full of shit? gasp, who could've seen that coming

[@lillithplays6514]

The fact that he offered Bitcoin should've been a red flag.

[@zEr-ne5ri]

a men

[@LemonMori]

@@zEr-ne5ria men

[@That_One_Sunshine_Knight]

And a name like Jacktherigger; I don't know if this person plays a role in the Metroid Speedrunning community. But still a name like that, and to payout in Bitcoin as a choice. Seems fishy.

[@Siinory]

That and the name, I mean JacktheRIGGER

[@celestialkitsune]

And the fact it's "paypall"?

[@tylerherr4288]

let this be a lesson for people DONT FUCKING TRUST NEW CURRENCIES

[@Ukkosade]

maybe he was just "overflowing with money" with the crypto rise, and when the crypto crashed, he lost almost everything and went back to being a pleb xD

[@ShadowEclipse777]

This. I don't think he intended to scam people out of their winnings, but because he was a dumbass cryptobro he didn't get out when the going was good and lost all the prize money

[@Kasaaz]

I missed this Era of gaming for some reason, so these are always fascinating to me. The Strafe Dashing reminds me so much of Unreal Tournament 2003 / 2004. You could link side hops to double jumps for something very similar and people would be navigating the world sideways.

[@Twisted_Logic]

There's a really cool guide on Metroid Prime movement. I'd love to see an arena shooter with movement inspired by it

[@lhfirex]

That's basically what inspired it. Not UT specifically, though. It's Prime's version of Quake strafe jumping/bunny hopping.

[@Laerbn]

UT04 trials maps were where I lived

[@Kasaaz]

@@Laerbn I remember when I finally figured out how to use the speed of the strafe jump to get up a level on some of the maps in those little shortcut panels. I never had great aim with snipers, etc. But I could work out the angle on rockets and use them to push my opponents to a dead stop and set them up because the speed of the movement meant I could get in close and be hard to hit. Then I remember being so crushed when I finally go to play Unreal Tournament 3 and they had like this awkward hoverboard thing. The movement in UT04 is still the pinnacle for me in any FPS game.

[@Monado.]

Been really into Metroid Prime over the last few weeks from doing Multiworld Randomizers to now the Remaster being out. Learned something really cool today and didn't realize there were bounties surrounding this game. Thanks for the great video, Doc :)

[@Thirsty4Chicken]

It’s still so wild for me to see you become a genuine content creator outside of streaming. I’m loving the care & craftsmanship put into the videos & the success you’re having. Watching Xem was the best happy accident to find this out.

[@averageboiii]

T3 has had discord since 2016

[@zerorig]

@@TRR010 he didn't seem to be aware of the bounty or active on the discord discussing it. that would be the most important thing to the overall story, because it might have been different if he was.

[@MetalGlennSolid]

never trust a crypto bro. good watch.

[@elzar5987]

I'm not a metroid or speedrunning fan. Yet you kept me engaged throughout the full run of the video. Great stuff keep doing what you're doing

[@idontwantahandlethough]

But it turns out the $1000 cash prize was inside our hearts all along 🙂

[@tails183]

Sounds like an artery clog to me. No thanks.

[@VinnytotheK]

The theory at the end about Bitcoin would make sense, if only he didn't say that there was an option to be paid in USD. This makes me think he would've, if it was ever real, converted his money to Bitcoin at the time of payout, not prior to anyone completing the bounties.

[@TyphinHoofbun]

Or he was holding BTC and expecting it to keep rising, and figured he'd cash out to USD to pay out if that's what the winner chose.

[@mjc0961]

Coinbro not being a complete loser challenge Status: impossible The only good news to this story is jack losing a bunch of money.

[@YEs69th420]

@@StopSomething no he wont lmao

[@YEs69th420]

@@StopSomething Do you know what a Beanie Baby is

[@YEs69th420]

@@StopSomething That's classified

[@foxxbaker]

Thank you for naming the songs, some of these I’ve been looking for months

[@MFMegaZeroX7]

Me at the beginning of the video: Uhoh, I know where this is going Me 3/4 of the way through the video: Oh, its just that the runner is weird and won't be contactable, that's good that the person isn't going to scam people out of their money like I thought Me at the end of the video: ShockedPIkachu

[@BashPrime]

If Jack comes back will the bounties technically be remastered?

[@DoctorSwellman]

This might actually be the comment of the year, holy shit

[@Beanee27]

🤯

[@matttran7161]

Ok this wasn't as tragic as I thought it was going to be so that's a relief. Sucks they got ghosted, but I'm glad they're all OK.

[@camwyn256]

So sad they fixed the sideways speed cap for the Wii Trilogy release. I so wanted to get double jump early, just for a casual play

[@SaltpeterTaffy]

Every time you use the System Shock 2 music it's a total distraction because of how much I love that game, lol.

[@ErikSeastead]

Doc I love you for posting high effort content like this

[@deebee5378]

Considering the amount of hours people put into speedrunning, there are much easier ways to make $1K

[@Onyxs]

Never knew that Metroid Prime speedruns were as crazy to see like this as they are, especially for a game as amazing like this. Wonder if the community will be as eager to try and speedrun the remaster with how good it controls and looks now, or if the OG is just got all the right things going for it that there’s no need

[@YutaponCube]

The scan dash and dash jumping is not able to be done in remaster so it will always be the slower run

[@TaoTaoTaoTaoTaoTaoTaoTaoTaoTao]

Jack sounds like the crypto bro who got in early, thought nothing would ever happen, make claims, and reality set in. Smarter if he just put the 4k of btc out at the height. But then again imo 99% of cryptro bros are gamble addicts.

[@ShadowEclipse777]

Honestly I regret not buy into Crypto because I thought it'd crash into oblivion 10x faster than it did. Could have easily swindled some fools of their money

[@ZeroKitsune]

@@ShadowEclipse777 Eh...I see it more like lottery tickets. That ticket you passed on happened to win a million dollars? I mean yeah that could have been you...but there was a reason you didn't buy it, and if you saw another lottery ticket next time it still wouldn't be smart to get it.

[@YEs69th420]

that's the thing though, you never know it's the height until after it drops

[@Arexion5293]

Huh, System Shock 2 music does fit Metroid pretty well, as long as it is used for a more action focused moment. And then Beelzebub from SMT 3? Man this is a treat!

[@ThoraeJenkins]

Knowing nothing about this, as soon as I saw "or btc" i knew the end result was going to be no payouts lmao.

[@ActuallySamuel6710]

Extremely well done video! Cool bit of Prime speedrunning lore to share with the internet.

[@clairevoyanceSLA]

cool to see a (comparatively niche to games like sm64 or minecraft) game like metroid prime getting some good speedrunning content, keep it up

[@mcsweatshop]

Great vid. Subbed

[@ManillaHeep]

Nice video. Those gameplay montages with the music were sick!

[@SleepLIVEYT]

Absolute banger video!

[@personwritingthings]

Hell yeaaaah I hope Remastered breathes new life into MP-related content, I've watched every metroid prime video on youtube lol

[@andr0sra-0h52]

Every time you drop a new video the production level gets better and better SwellL

[@ShuriBear]

Idk how you get this much experience each time Doc, but every new vids editing is next level

[@kaiosekka]

yo this was a banger of a vid. real shame on the bounty but great to see a community pushing their game to its limits and oob x)

[@algar6616]

Rest in power rigger, I hope you return one day

[@dr4gonblitz]

absolute banger as always. thanks so much for these videos

[@DoctorSwellman]

I appreciate you, homie

[@anonymoose2474]

What profit is it to a man if he gains the world, but loses his own soul?

[@jreigha]

"This is called.... DASHING" >footage of Metroid Prime Essence boss fight< what a dash

[@rjsmangitruns]

Sick video. Massive Big Gamer Energy

[@t5k313]

mfw gamer plays out of they mind 🤯

[@NickAndWolf]

Good use of SS2 OST

[@marcoxavyer]

One day my music will work and I swear to all the Metroid community I will pay those amazing speedrunners

[@mattsbroadcasting]

@DoctorSwellman, I love your videos and the way you present them, going over different points, important factors, history, etc. Really, really enjoyable content you make.

[@theotherjared9824]

What I find interesting about this is the legal aspect of the situation. There is no precedent for something like this. In theory, Jack clearly stating in writing that he will pay a certain amount of money should be binding. However, the nature of a bounty like this means there is no formal contract, meaning Jack may not be required to do anything. It might be a good thing for someone to sue Jack and straighten out these ambiguities.

[@medea27]

A couple of issues... first, it sounds like no-one knows Jack's real identity so it's going to be tough to prove any contractual obligations in court. Second - even if a few lines in an anonymous Discord _did_ qualify as a "written agreement", Jack did give himself a right of refusal as the final reviewer before paying anything out (it wasn't just the mod's validation). And third - litigation is _very expensive!_ It would cost more to sue Jack than the value of his bounties, so it's a net loss to you. You'd also deter other potential bounty-issuers who don't want legal hassles over a few hundred bucks to incentivise fellow gamers. At the end of the day, it's not a formal competition but a good-faith promise which (like everything else on the internet) should be taken with a grain of salt. It sucks, but it's not a legal issue... a very different situation to Charlie/Critikal's bounties.

[@harveysattic3918]

Certified banger vid!

[@edermachado2844]

I saw it, so I'm saying hi!

[@VideoOfMike]

Speeddemosarchive had bounty for metroid prime for sub 1 hour for over $100,000. but this was all like pre 2010.

[@aortaplatinum]

Cryptocurrency is fucking stupid: episode 232

[@inthefade]

I'm just starting the vid and reading the comments, but bounties like this need to be put in escrow somehow.

[@Showsni]

I guess jack really should have worded his bounties as "0.016 bitcoin" or whatever it was instead of "$1000". Then he could still pay them out (even though they'd be worth less).

[@BradTheDead]

This guy was never going to pay out at all, bitcoin crashing or not.

[@codahighland]

Dang, Jack never seemed like the type before.

[@Arunnejiro]

4:23 I bet Ridley ventilated samus with his shaft

[@elijahkeay3906]

Damn I feel like this video just like.. ended. Which makes sense considering the situation

[@TheBassicBassist]

I thought you were going to end up saying that the community found out that the bounty provider had tragically died.

[@PJBgamer]

The moral of the story: don't use cryptocurrency. With that out of the way, I shoutouts to the runners who spent so much time and effort to get new records. They're awesome.

[@serval0079]

classic crypto L

[@kevintyrrell7409]

Solution: bounties should be paid into a holding immediately where its kept there by a 3rd party company. Easier said than done but that will certainly solve this in the future.

[@xwater]

Hi i saw it

[@SPFLDAngler]

Never trust someone on the internet who says they will GIVE you money.

[@lonelyPorterCH]

Oh wow rhats cheap of jack...

[@64supermarioreturns]

I'll add this to my ever growing list of why Crypto Bros should never be trusted.

[@roysourboy4380]

yo KSI DOCTOR XD Royboy here WAVE RACE !!!! just wanted to say SUP DOOD !!! :) Kay Ess EYE XD :) have a good one bro

[@toblerone1729]

I mean...payments in cryptocurrencies are as fishy as they can get, and the username doesn't help the case 🤷‍♂️

[@kingk3245]

Sorry honey i can't pay the mortgage this month i promised some gamers thousands of dollars in prize money for playing games good lol. Yeah not suprising all be it scummy

[@diamondkfc6183]

he shoulda just said "0.0167 bitcoin (~1k USD as of oct 2021)"

[@patrick4384]

Might be a dumb question but do we even know if Jack is alive?

[@SohakmetGameplay]

So some random dude comes into the scene and issues challenges with 1000usd payout? And people believed it?

[@youtubeuniversity3638]

Crypto. Aw geez.

[@camwyn256]

7:00 That music is bumping! Where's it from?

[@DoctorSwellman]

System Shock 2, I also show the names of all the tracks on screen as they start playing and they're in the description as well!

[@camwyn256]

@@DoctorSwellman I'm so used to people not doing that, I didn't even notice. :) Thanks

[@yurigagarine6998]

Dude be like: "thanks for the runs! Btw there's actually no prize. Later virgins!"

[@zephyr8072]

Speed running. Never before in history have so many skills been applied to something so pointless.

[@mac9365]

We should send this vid to like Moist Critikal and see if he will payout the winners

[@goblinbutler1313]

omg mind blown ily

[@D_Winds]

We do this for the glory, not for the money.

[@Mr_Spaghetti]

I’m saying hi cuz I saw it

[@HonkeyKongLive]

And here we see again why crypto is a joke lmao

[@LilacMonarch]

So he set aside the $4k worth of bitcoin but then couldn't pay it when the time came because it wasn't even worth $4k anymore. Can't say I'm surprised, but back when the challenges first went up the pitfalls of crypto weren't so well known i guess

[@Eichro]

What's so difficult about a damageless run? I wouldn't be able to do it but doesn't sound that unfeasible for a speedrunner. Am I forgetting something important? (Hi)

[@DoctorSwellman]

There’s several points in the game where taking damage is almost unavoidable. A lot of them are in the endgame, particularly in the Metroid Prime boss fights Try avoiding damage when the Prime Exoskeleton charges at you or fires its poison missiles, it’s super rough

[@PiterLauchy]

Algorithm

[@arabidllama]

Your hidden messages aren't going to trick me into posting a comment!

[@Akuretaki_Nikolay]

gg

[@LimeCultivist]

hi if you see this

[@kabojio2755]

Safe to assume his PayPal err "paypall" option would've been funded by BTC he sold off? PayPal or BTC 0:56 BTC funds 10:09

[@blackshard641]

Jack the Ripoff

[@underthepale]

hi

[@VinnytotheK]

Great video! *Spoiler warning to anyone who hasn't played through the game though! Especially with the remaster out!*

[@DerDarak]

Hi if you see this :)

[@Thebdippy]

Hmm yes this fellow calling himself "jack the rigger" is certainly trustworthy

[@rhtj8]

hi :)

[@Pepesmall]

Maybe he died. Otherwise you're telling me that someone would go on the Internet and tell lies and i just don't believe that.. lol

[@NicoleMay316]

Moral of the story? Never trust crypto bros

[@Monuver]

hi if you see this KZbin really needs to implement a frame-by-frame feature, or better communicate it if it already exists.

[@NightKev]

Comma and period are the hotkeys to advance frame by frame backwards and forwards. Of course, you could have easily searched google for the answer to this, not sure why you're asking in a random speedrunning video.

[@BuffoFesss]

Jack the WHAT??

[@TheVeyron623]

Rigger. Meaning to rig.

[@jobibones]

Hi :)

[@jeremygrimsley7154]

I love the video but the lighting on Metroid Prime is terrible in this video. Idk if it's because I been playing the remaster or it's just your video.

[@DoctorSwellman]

It’s a bit of both. OG Prime is really dark and I forgot to increase the alpha channel before exporting the vid 😅

[@xamus-wn-6023]

It's a boring explanation, but it's likely Jack doesn't actually have the money after BTC's dropping prices. I doubt he's doing this maliciously and doesn't know how to approach the community now.