Why This Speedrun Makes You SING | King's Quest VII Speedrun History

[@OneShortEye]

Something I didn't mention in the video is "glitch mode." Loading a previous save post any puzzles results in them being in a "glitched state" where their starting position is not the same as a fresh start. For that reason, all runs must start from a fresh restart of the program according to the rules. It is not actually required to sing to have a valid run. It's a joke. The runners love Berta. There would be no King's Quest games without her, and all of us look up to her. The joke of the Franzia Song is that Berta would not care (at all) about people beating her game quickly. It is not an implication that she is actually an alcoholic.

[@timothymclean]

I wonder what kind of glorious, buggy skips there could be in a Glitch Mode category...

[@OneShortEye]

@@timothymclean It's territory worth exploring. Right now, it's banned from the main category because no one know exactly what all it affects.

[@SageOwl]

@@timothymcleanCurrently, the only glitch we have found with it is where the volcano timer in chapter 6 doesn't stop counting down when you restart at ch1. What happens is it erupts and you get trollsella talking as Valanice and other such funny things. Unfortunately, it seems to be useless and inconsistent at best to execute. I invite anyone who wants to sleuth through the code or game to do so. There has to be something there.

[@CallN0w]

Well I think it should be required

[@OneShortEye]

@@notsyzagts7967 That might encourage people to actually watch the runs though. And, God forbid, to run the game... Fine, you win. ;)

[@shinyagumon7015]

So if you want to speedrun King's Quest III you have to play Ocean Man while you wait for the unskipable cutscene to end, meanwhile in King's Quest VII you will need to sing both the Franzia Song and the End Credit Sing yourself? I didn't know KQ was such a musical franchise.

[@OneShortEye]

Fun fact: King's Quest IV was the first commercially released game for IBM PC compatibles to support sound cards.

[@Fender178]

Also KQ6 had and ending theme as well.

[@Fender178]

@@OneShortEye Ah yes including the vastly superior MT32 by Rolland.

[@AdriftForWeeks]

Petition to make Girl in the Tower mandatory in KQ6 too

[@timothymclean]

@@AdriftForWeeks It would probably make the Boring Book gnome-skip obsolete.

[@mikedrop4421]

As someone who's never played a single KQ game I have to admit that because of your talent for storytelling and video production I've come to really respect these games and I absolutely love these videos. I've watched every second of everything you've uploaded and hands down your best work was the last ten seconds of this video. * *chef's kiss* *

[@OneShortEye]

Those are extremely kind words. Thank you, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@crumpuppet]

I feel exactly the same way. KZbin's algorithm decided to show me a speedrun video a while ago and now I am hooked on every new video that gets uploaded. Bravo OneShortEye 🙇‍♂

[@Okami1313]

I never really cared about speed runs, and never even heard of kings quest before, yet I have watched all the speed run videos on this channel. They play like well done documentaries and I love it

[@3rdalbum]

I feel the same way! I enjoy these videos and they have very high production values given that you must interview the speedrunners online. If I had time to play games, your videos would inspire me to try playing Kings Quest. They look like great fun.

[@henotic.essence]

I feel the same way! I really admire the games now and if I ever had the chance, I'd play one!

[@RodrigoTheHappyDog]

My favourite part of this video is that Chuck Grody's mic compression makes him sound like a character from the game.

[@yourhighschoolenglishteach8405]

love that even though you “have” to sing, these guys arent mean enough to reject runs that dont

[@bassguitarbill]

If there's a better aspect of speedrunning than "joining a community full of inscrutable memes" then I don't know it

[@metallsnubben]

And you can go years without having done a run and still be ready at a moment's notice to tell of the Old Lore to a newcomer that strays into the dusty halls, it rules

[@bassguitarbill]

I remember posting this, but on rewatching it I had completely forgotten how unhinged the Franzia stuff gets. Top-tier video, 10/10 all around

[@want-diversecontent3887]

I have never played a single King's Quest game, I have no idea why I'm here, but I'm staying

[@ManlyPuffs]

Been waiting 13 hours for a game he never played

[@FonMeller]

Me too, friend, me too

[@Jarczenko]

Hahaha same

[@cassidy8307]

I do not know who I am, I don't know why i'm here... all I know is that I must sing

[@NoahGooder]

same

[@stevencurtis7157]

I can always rely on speedrunners to perfectly and reliably explain exactly how the weird mechanics work in the childhood games that drove me nuts.

[@taffyadam6031]

Old man

[@NeoDraven757]

The Franzia song just tickled me to death. One of those things just so stupid that it reduces you to helpless belly laughter for a solid three minutes of not being able to breathe. God, I needed that. Just to imagine innocent, spritely little Roberta Williams guzzling nine entire boxes of wine and then peeing on the carpet on her boat and yelling at her husband to come clean it up. My stomach hurts.

[@santiagoacosta3372]

Hearing a bunch of middle age men singing a disney-like song off key was the highlight of my week

[@chrisprou9216]

same

[@SGBlack]

Something I absolutely love about your videos that I don't necessarily see in other speedrun documentaries is how much emphasis you put on community and it comes through so well. it's one of my favorite things about your stuff

[@OneShortEye]

Glad you enjoyed it! Insane records that take long grinds are definitely impressive. But I'm getting older, and honestly I care more about having a good time. :)

[@metallsnubben]

@@OneShortEye You used to care about a good (fast) time, now you care about a good (enjoyable) time

[@JamEvil]

Thank you for highlighting our love and passion in such an amazing and thoughtful way. Outstanding work!

[@OneShortEye]

Thank you for all of your time! It was great getting to speak with you and getting to know you better.

[@ChrisVoiceman]

You're probably my favourite speedrun history channel. Even though I haven't played any of the games you cover, there's something really nice about having interviews with the actual people who play it. It adds an extra layer to the dedication of the runners and history of the game.

[@OneShortEye]

Those are incredibly kind words. Thank you!

[@fatribz]

oh man, that ghost in the desert scared me when I first caught a glimpse of him.. then I gave him salt water and he was PISSED. thank you for these videos, I love Sierra adventure games

[@Miradai]

This video is impressively made for making me watch an hour about a game I've never heard of in a topic I don't know anything about and enjoying it wholeheartedly the entire time

[@OneShortEye]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrismanuel9768]

I watch a lot of speedrun videos, but you're the only one that talks so much about the runners themselves and the human element, and the makes it so much more interesting. Every game has glitches and weird execution. Not every game has mandatory singing about the creator getting drunk because people won't stop speedrunning it. And that's the most interesting shit.

[@The_Kentuckian]

I am waiting for one of his new videos to start with, "And then Urquan came back!". He's so mysterious.

[@KineticRX]

Damn, you're good at this. I dunno how or when I found your channel, but I'm glad I did. I knew (and still know) nothing about these games, but I get genuinely excited when I see you've uploaded something new. The research, the interviews, the production quality, the pacing/writing... You got so much talent, dude. If I had the funds, I'd Patreon the SHIT outta you. All I can do is say thank you, drop a like, leave a comment, and hope The Almighty Algorithm points a philanthropist your way

[@OneShortEye]

I'm really happy that you're enjoying it so much. I appreciate you spreading the word, and more than anything, it sounds like my excitement for these topics has rubbed off a little. If I've done that, then I've done what I set out to do. :)

[@ChaosPootato]

Oh hey fancy seeing you here man :D

[@KineticRX]

@@ChaosPootato The Almighty Algorithm is working!

[@Guruc13]

I like how the runners' names could easily be names in King's Quest

[@Radical_Rainbow]

Alright, everyone harmonizing at the end was pretty great.

[@Pihsrosnec]

if someone makes a TAS, should they have a TTS program sing the songs?

[@Giffsen]

What a beautiful video! I instantly became a fan of both dudes, Julian specifically bc dude made his dearest memories into effort on speed running, later helping to raise money for a great cause. Thank you for the upload!

[@OneShortEye]

Julian was extremely nice and a pleasure to talk to.

[@cubicinfinity2]

With "makes you sing," my imagination said, "What if you have to scream at the hard drive to get a certain result?"

[@adam100x7]

i can't even being to describe how happy it makes me to see a speedrun history for niche games I've never heard of with a handful of runners

[@TylerBelmont]

That ending deserved a standing ovation!

[@piroshi3rd]

It is such a blessing to get a longer video from you like this. Not only just because you do an extremely good job at editing at collaborating with the people you're interviewing for a great story flow, but because I get distracted easily from documentary videos bc of my ADHD symptoms I can keep coming back to this and rewatch it and get more and more of the tiny fascinating story details each rewatch. I often listen to your videos when I'm going through especially stressful times or I have too much anxiety to sleep, and they always cheer me up and make me feel like things are organized and okay and people in this world support eachother on all kinds of things. I really love your videos more than any documentary maker. thank you for your work.

[@OneShortEye]

Those are extremely kind words, thank you! I'm sorry you have that anxiety, and I'm happy to hear that my work has helped, even if it's in a small way. Keep up your self care, and know that you've got this. :)

[@LemmingRuns]

Are you happy? Thrilled? Delighted? You're watching the Princeless Briiide. Yes I'm so excited, I'm going to press suuuuuscribe!

[@retrotks]

This comment deserves more likes, I did my part

[@akpokemon]

This. was. INCREDIBLE!!!!! SO well-edited and so wholesome!!! You put in SO many relevant screengrabs of what they were talking about instead of just sitting the camera on their face. UGH. SO GOOD

[@OneShortEye]

I'm really happy you liked it so much. Thank you!

[@happythekatt8419]

I’ve watched this like 2 times already and have gone back to watch your old docs. You do these games justice. The quality- commentary, editing, timeline, interviews- is always stellar. One of the few channels that I’ve subscribed and hit the notification bell for. They’re always a treat 💕

[@OneShortEye]

I'm so happy you're enjoying them so much. Glad to have you around. :)

[@ara3866]

I've never played any of these games, but your storytelling and interviews with the players makes this an absolute delight to watch. Thank you for this!

[@OneShortEye]

Thank you for the kind words! Glad you liked it.

[@RikipediaGO]

The singing is perfect! Love to see speedrun communities having fun with their games

[@banjkazfan]

I’ve been struggling to consume new media in general, watching the same videos over and over again for comfort, but the KZbin algorithm reached out to me at the right time: “hey, you wanna watch a 52 minute video about King’s Quest V speedrunning?” Sure! “Cool, now how about a 52 minute one on King’s Quest VII speedrunning?” Speedrunning and King’s Quest are two of my interests, and I’m so glad I found your videos! Super well put together and engaging. Take my subscribe!

[@Bronzite]

This was unexpectedly heartwarming.

[@OneShortEye]

I'm happy you thought so. :)

[@Ari-ez1vj]

it's so cute ;-;

[@KnuxMaster368]

Games like this are why I love niche speedgames: the community is always going to be awesome

[@dgarrard100]

Urquan: • beats WR by 3 minutes • refuses to elaborate • leaves What a legend.

[@OneShortEye]

Agree with your conclusion, though I really wish he hadn't done the last part. Miss that guy.

[@autumnshinespark]

I remember this game when I was a teenager. Troll Princess was an absolute mood and I'm pretty sure I liked her better that way.

[@BoxSox82]

Though I've never played a KQ game, your amazing videos about this series is probably my favorite and most enjoyable ADHD rabbit hole I've ever been forced down. Thank you to both yourself and the amazing runners (LOVE the interviews. My favorite part) for everything you did. Please keep making more. I love watching your work.

[@Karanagi]

Speedrunning seems to be as much about dealing with the madness of the grind as it does with anything else. Another very entertaining video!

[@VintageMidiMusic]

Seeing Topkekshrek show up right away let me know things were gonna get interesting. Side note: keep hoping to see kq4 show up, it's possibly my favorite of the series. Keep up the great work!!

[@retrotks]

This guy knows what’s up

[@sheltongolden4394]

Reporter: "You're widely considered the most successful person on the world. How did you do it?" Most Successful Person on the World: "I sang the Franzia Song."

[@mackado]

I played this game with my cousin for hours and hours as a kid and never got past the rng world since we didn't realize it was rng and just died over and over until we gave up for the day and started again the next day. Thanks for this - it really brings back memories.

[@Ditcho13]

Every single one of your videos is a joy to watch. Don't tell anyone else, but I'm pretty sure you're the only channel I've hit the bell for notifications. KQ7 was one of the first adventure games I tried to play by myself (that could never finish because I was 6-7 years old and probably too young to fully understand what was happening 😅) so while not at all my fave, it's still a nostalgia hit and it was wicked watching the stories behind the speedruns. I'm forever changed just by knowing the Franzia Song™exists. If you, or the the other runners feel like you need more lines or rhymes to spice it up for future songs, in Australia, we call boxed wine Goon Bags or Goon Sacks. Make of that what you will. I'm sure Berta would approve.

[@paddaaweh]

These mini documentaries you produce so wonderfully are my favourite content on the internet. I can't wait to see what you do next.

[@rileytimes]

I absolutely loved this game as a kid even though I could not play it and was terrible at puzzles. Watching this video healed my inner child. I could also listen to every single person, including the voiceover, for HOURS. So much love.

[@verg4469_]

love the content. helps me get through my boring ass 12hr shifts at work

[@OneShortEye]

If I can help someone get through work, that's more than I could've hoped for. Keep your head up. :)

[@psyjinx]

I think you do an amazing job showing genuine love and nostalgia for a game in your videos. It helps set the mood and connect us to the story you're about to tell.

[@Meatnyan]

Yours is the only video game-focused channel I have notifications on for. I am amazed that you can keep making videos with such high production value and so much research put into them. These are some of the most enjoyable to watch documentaries I've ever seen, period - and that's saying something, because it's coming from someone who despises playing adventure games. I think the cherry on top that really emphasizes this series' quality is the amount of interviews with prominent players you include, as this helps better understand the people behind the runs (as opposed to if you were just DM'ing them questions and integrating the answers into the script). The only thing I hope for at this point is that you don't burn out. I am more than aware that making long, highly edited videos is a very taxing endeavor. Make sure to rest every once in a while, as constantly thinking about your content is a surefire way to go insane. Best of luck.

[@OneShortEye]

That's extremely kind of you. You're right, it does take a lot of effort, and I'm happy the interviews are so helpful. Your point about avoiding burnout is well-taken. It's been a balancing act, because there are so many more stories I want to tell. Thank you again.

[@Sharicite]

I've found your channel months ago and has been enjoying these cool retro game speedrun documentaries, here's hoping for more. Very heartwarming vid btw

[@OneShortEye]

I'm always working on something! Happy you enjoyed it.

[@emo6577]

Beautiful visuals, equally beautiful storytelling. You made this so easy to follow, the people you interviewed were incredible, and just an overall wonderful video!

[@reagansido5823]

one guy makes up some lyrics for some music, and it becomes a requirement for a KQVII run. This is certainly the most interesting speedrun community I've ever seen.

[@swimfanTV]

awesome work as always, OSE! that horse luck at the end of the game is brutal

[@derfette7148]

Great video. Never seen a kq7 speedrun but the game was a big part of my childhood. In the end scene I couldn't help but to sing along! Thanks for the great storytelling and taking me a trip down memory lane. I didn't even know the pumpkin or the dog was rng or that there was a branch showing the boogeyman was there. I always thought I was doing something wrong or the game was bugged when I was a child, lmao! Thanks for that clarification 20 years later :)

[@rushnerd]

Thank you SO MUCH for doing this. I was waiting on your KQVII coverage. I didn't know a lot about PC at the time, but I got that famous KQ collection for PC and owning that, the guide book is your bible. 6 is my all time fav, but I felt 7 even with a different artstyle was the most modern one and I loved playing it. Extremely memorable.

[@Nemo2342]

Another fantastic video, thanks OneShortEye!

[@OneShortEye]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Nemo2342]

@@OneShortEye Your videos are great and I'll often rewatch them on my second monitor while working.

[@NatsukiNoTenshi]

I absolutely love your KQ speedrun history videos. I've watched each multiple times while doing mundane stuff or during my walk to university or work and I find myself enjoying them every time. Thanks for making the videos and giving non-players like me insights into really cool games and speedrunners!

[@OneShortEye]

I'm really happy that you're enjoying them so much. Thanks for the kind words!

[@katyamurrayy]

I’m so happy this little gem has been seen by so many people now! Love this so much.

[@dmsanct]

people: games make you violent gamers: 51:10

[@FloydMaxwell]

Great storytelling. Thank you, all.

[@rphntw1n]

This is what solitary confinement looks like. 😂

[@String.Epsilon]

What a delightful speedrun history. And what a delightful community for this game.

[@retrotks]

KQ community = best community

[@VitorRibeiroVR]

KQ7 is one of my favourite games with a beautiful soundtrack. I still have the original CD and a 486 PC. I came by this video because I was listening to "Bountiful Woods" (as I sometimes do). I played this game so many times that I knew all the tricks on level 2 so it was so awesome to see them here and be like "YES!!!", but I never tried to speedrun because I like to game at the normal pace and stop and enjoy the music, listening to the dialogue. Also never understood why people would find pleasure in speedrunning. After seeing this video and all the chill people I think Im gonna give it a go! Oh and the ending brought a tear to my eye then a huge laugh. That song and all the guys singing and Admiral Jay comedy timing coughing was perfect! Haha. Cheers!

[@OneShortEye]

Glad you enjoyed it! Feel free to stop by the discord if you interested in learning the run: discord.gg/fGbwuNx

[@onceagian]

I think I have been looking for this game since the age of 8 when I saw it on a demo disk that broke the next day. My life is now complete, Please keep up the amazing Videos, I look forward to them every single time I see them!

[@KaoruMzk]

I’ve never played a KQ game, but for some reason I find these speedrun videos fascinating. Maybe some day, when I have the time, I’ll give the games a try.

[@emilybarner3440]

I tried to like this twice. KQ7 was such an integral and compelling part of my childhood -- seeing you all sing to the song I did at the end was a joy!

[@eetadakimasu]

This was so good! My grandma got me hooked on King's Quest and was the MVP of games, creating maps and noting where to go and what to do to advance creating her own cheat notebook❤❤❤

[@jayst]

Your videos have inspired me to play Kings Quest for the first time. Thank you so much for making these amazing movies.

[@emilybarner3440]

This video slaps and I'm so glad I came across it! Thank you for making these; it allows a KQ7 fan who grew up playing the game with my mum and loving it to glimpse into speedrun history. LOVE that it is the speedrun that makes you sing!!

[@trueilarim]

Excellent video yet again! Thank you! I would not compare your videos to Summoning Salt because you are both good in your own ways. And I think he may have borrowed the ”let’s do interviews” from you. I do not know who first started the speedrun times timeline but that is a good one too.

[@OneShortEye]

I definitely got the timeline idea from him. Such an obvious move in hindsight, but he was the first that I saw do it like that. I couldn't say if he got inspired to do interviews from me, but regardless of the source, I'm happy to see it.

[@AlonsoEscalante86]

Played this as a kid, in my old Compaq Presario, 486, barely knowing any English. Loved the storytelling and the singing closure was spot on. Great work.

[@SnessFresh]

This shows how incredible the community can be in the speedrunning scene. The whole singing thing is amazing. 😂❤

[@TheGirlChris]

"When the stick shaped like a snake..." SNAKES ARE STICK SHAPED

[@somekindofbox264]

8:20 I had a copy of that magazine as well and distinctly remember everything shown here. This is where i got KQ7 from as well back in the day. Thank you for the blast from the past.

[@flyingtomato98]

I sure do love a whimsical use of data analysis. The power of song.

[@carleetodd4324]

That ending was epic & I smiled so much watching this. Thank you for such a wonderful vid on a classic favorite.

[@Caddynars]

UrQuan: *sets a world record that was seconds ahead of the previous, doesn’t elaborate, leaves*

[@hauntedsunsets]

the ending really brought this one home

[@toriofthestarpalace]

The "The Power of Franzia" webpage is now one of our favorite webpages ever created, actually.

[@Annausagi2]

Dorito-eyed Valanice on the thumbnail already makes this the best video ever.

[@heycheno9310]

I’m so happy to see that this game had a great speed running community !! And this video was amazing!! Thank you ! Made me remember so many things !

[@ValhallaLad]

I LOVE that AJ just starts coughing on the end credits theme 😂

[@TheCrimsonMoogle]

Love King's Quest, Space Quest and Maniac mansion. Love Retro TKS, love the personalities that come to speedrun these games. usually really fun, nice, and funny people. Can't wait to see everyone play Berta's new game.

[@retrotks]

I love you too

[@MManeeraj]

this is crazy. i was just recently introduced to your page. and i quickly checked to see if there was this game, cause i remember spending endless hours on this, but knew no one that played it. this brings me back, big time. - ps. i only watched the first couple mins and i already love this video lol.

[@nwerd7584]

This game gives me so much nostalgia. I remember playing and loving it because of the art which at the time was pretty unheard of.

[@barryyourdad6984]

Never played a KQ game but this was awesome lol the last song almost brought me to tears I was so enthralled 😂

[@TheParappa]

This was a very good video... but then the last 25 seconds happened and it turned into a video of pure greatness and joy!

[@kaw8473]

It's beautiful to see such a dedicated fan base for an older game, Berta should be proud of herself.

[@Fender178]

Man Kq7 one of the classic games that had different versions. 2.0b being the version that added Dos Support. On top of being the 1st KQ game with timer bug issues (The Stupid Firecracker death). If you played version 1.4 that was a Windows 95 only release on a fast system. With me I prefer Girl in the Tower over Grew up Young Lady but that's just me. Oh wow I didn't know a Kq7 Players guide even existed and it is by the same dude who wrote the KQ Companion. I have the Kq7 hint-book though and the 4th edition of the KQ companion that included all 7 games. Very impressive strats for this game. It never ceases to amaze me how runners figure all this stuff out.

[@scrubtheno0b776]

Glad I subscribed a couple months ago. Really neat games + good commentary + good speed runs

[@owlmerangwastaken]

I really love how the runners take the game on its own terms in a lot of ways, its sort of rare to see in speedrunning communities. Fantastic video!

[@maxkaye]

idk why your vids aren't more popular -- the kings quest series is great. I only know of it from your vids. Keep up the good work

[@wilhelmschmidt7240]

I like the implied connection between singing about boxed wine and faster run times.

[@Saltience]

possibly the biggest trip of a speedrun history yet. keep it coming!

[@Trollami]

Love these Videos. Hope to see some Kyrandia in the future,

[@GwydionAE]

Sorry, but "Land Beyond Dreams" can't hold a candle to "Girl in the Tower". XD In all seriousness, love all these KQ speedrun videos! Super fun and informative, whether covering one of my favorite games in the series or ones I'm a bit less fond of.

[@PatrickKnoll]

It's nice to be able to take guys that speed run 10 hours a day and cut it down to one video. So then I can work all day and watch it after because I'm too tired to do it myself.

[@brittislove]

These videos are so well made and fun. Thanks to you, and those who did the interviews. Interviews are a fantastic touch, I can really feel their excitement

[@cantrip7]

Absolutely fantastic video. The editing here was juuust right, and I felt very relaxed but engaged watching.

[@Kyrkby]

Point-and-click games are not what I think of when I hear the word speedrunning, but damn if it isn't just as complex and time consuming as any other genre. I have mad respect to all the speedrunners, takes some serious dedication. Also, 27:38 was completely understandable.

[@OneShortEye]

To be fair, there are some p&c speedruns I find boring (but, of course, I don't make videos about those). Though that's true of any game genre, I suppose. Thanks for the comment!

[@richardm9934]

Thx for shedding light on these untold legends, making meaning out of something in life ❤

[@NorthernWhisper]

I never knew why it was controversial that this is the best King's Quest. It's so obviously the most well designed game.