Conquering Jak 3 - ERA V: THE DESERT

ERA V OF IX
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►Soundtrack: pastebin.com/q7qnzg5E
►Full Mission Tree Image: imgur.com/AitpAJr
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My Info/Socials:
► Twitch: / tharixer
► Twitter: / tharixer
► My Discord: / discord
► 2nd KZbin: / @tharixersspeedarchive...
► Speedruns: www.speedrun.com/user/Ricky

[@ChevisPreston]

The fact that you’ve gone to such lengths to document something so cool yet so niche for such a select community of 20-30 year olds, despite knowing your talent for video editing and storytelling could make you MILLIONS when applied elsewhere, is pretty fuckin’ admirable man. Thanks for the continued content.

[@ThaRixer]

Hope you all enjoyed ERA V! After releasing this I feel like I can safely say we're past the half way mark in the series. Feels good to be making progress, and it feels good that a lot of you guys are enjoying the series so far :> This is in every way possible, a passion project of mine. I wanted to wait until my channel was of somewhat size before i tackled this behemoth, because I knew this series would completely tank in views compared to other stuff I could have made. KZbin is literally NEVER going to recommend anyone something with Part, Era, or Episode in the title because it requires you to have watched the first one. But despite that I decided to go through with this project because Jak 3 is my most knowledgable game, and its what i'm most passionate about. I hate asking for this but if you do enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon, or tossing me a sub on twitch sometime. It goes a long way~ I'm gonna be attending yet another ESA in a weeks time, and after that I shall be moving back to Denmark for the time being, where I will begin working on ERA VI. Thanks everyone for the patience, much love.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

I have never played any of these games or owned a Playstation but these videos are fascinating. How many hours so many people spent figuring out how it all works. I hope that you will do great at ESA and am looking forward to finishing this series. Oh and youtube did recommend the video to me, but I am subscribed to your channel and watched all the previous parts so I guess that helps.

[@TheLonelyKirby]

This series is amazing, even if i only played Jak 1 way back when i barely understood how anything worked these PS2 era games were our childhood and it's so incredible to see how much it means to so many others. A little sad that more people probably won't experience these videos the same way i or everyone who has kept up so far have but i hope you keep enjoy making them, they're something special and i bet you already knew that very well, so thanks.

[@deancarruthers444]

You say that, but this series was again the reason I found you again. KZbin recommended the first episode to me. Now, mind you, I had just started to go down a rabbit hole of watching videos talking about speedrunning about specific games, but it does go to show that if you even start to dip your toes into this world, people might get told to check this out.

[@nailtoolofamusement]

We're only half-way through? Oh god yes

[@victorpelini5995]

It shows, I'll be sad once this is over

[@jonypo928]

As someone who finds speedrunning fascinating but has no interest in doing it themselves, these historical deep dives into speedrunning are pure gold.

[@Tyler__309]

💯

[@The_Stellar]

The camera shots of Jak 'swimming' above the void are peak Jak & Daxter speedrunning

[@Bintendo]

As someone who has changed jak 3 in the past year a lot, the idea of a route getting "worse" really hits home. Explaining both the upsides and downsides does explore the very real truth about new discoveries. It's never just a new cool trick that everyone loves. It's a lot more complex and deeper then that. How hard it is, what it skips, how much it saves, if it's "fun" or "boring". It's nice to see that complexity discussed because new discoveries are as complex as new world records, and not a lot of people understand that. Thanks as usual for the most banger videos Ricky, can't wait for the history of No OoB :)

[@zaccoe8454]

That fast swimming animation gives me life.

[@iancheruiyot4332]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Quasartist]

"Sorry boss, I can't come in today. New Rixer Jak 3 chapter just came out. You understand."

[@s-zs7nn]

15:37 Most dramatic scene since Light potato chip scene

[@flufficornss]

shit had me crying

[@EbolaBearr]

I genuinely felt a little scared when you shown the tentacle getting Jak in the deep water. Playing all the Jak games as a child really left some subliminal fears in my brain haha

[@VoodooJonnyFear]

Another banger. I've said it before but as someone who doesn't do any speedrunning, this stuff is still SUPER interesting to learn about and I think you do the best job of explaining the evolution of this game's speedrunning community. Super excited for the rest of this series, almost dreading when it'll be over lol

[@ThaRixer]

When it's over you can always revisit it :), and there will always be new stories to tell

[@VoodooJonnyFear]

@ThaRixer Oh I will lol when it's over so you think you could compile them all into one super long video? I love stuff like fjords to fall asleep to lol and I def look forward to future stories you tell

[@ThaRixer]

Yea i'll make a supercut at the end@@VoodooJonnyFear

[@LeGiletRouge]

I feel like one thing that's not praised enough is your ability to mix music and footage to create a moment that transcends its relative nicheness to become artistic. Your soundtracks made me discover hidden gems I didn't even dream existed. Thank you for making this series on one of my favorite games ever made (along Ratchet and Clank 3 and Sly Cooper 3, I think they're the golden trinity of the early 2000s). You are one of the few channels for which I drop everything I'm doing when there's a new vid out!

[@ThaRixer]

Thank you, this is one of the nicest comments i've read, seriously.

[@jackhealy3328]

Anytime Rixer uploads, I literally drop everything that I'm doing (work, study, house chores, my own wedding) and binge it in one go. Stellar work as always, mate!

[@Saucy_Wiggles]

I made a very audible noise of surprise seeing it in my feed. I honestly didn't think it would be out this soon.

[@MegaDrainProductions]

14:15 I really like the use of this Timesplitter's track considering it takes place on snow level which is obviously a complete contrast to the desert. Just feels really fitting for some reason.

[@theblacksheep144]

These speedruns are perfect dopamine fuel for late night "I should be sleeping for work tomorrow, but nostalgia beckons me towards childhood ".

[@EATSxBABIES]

I do find it ironic seeing Any% runners having the EXACT same issues that alienate glitchless runners. It sucks that anyone has to have that moment of "oh.....efficiency isnt fun in this game thats supposed to be fun"

[@Kiproll26]

I can't really say it better than the other comments, but thank you very much for your dedication. Speedrunning might not be glamorous but it's passionate. Roast me but I tear up when a video game brings people together like this.

[@ThaRixer]

Nah i feel that, the Jak community is my family. I will go into detail about my love for the communtiy way later in the series too

[@joshhurst9770]

This is a great title! The way desert refers to both the literal desert wasteland, and the desert as in the away from the green exciting pastures before to the emptier desert skip

[@Brown95P]

The unfortunate inevitability of competition like speedrunning is that it ultimately strives for better efficiency, and that in turn ultimately begets further scraping of what made it fun in the first place; what happened here is *_EXACTLY_* why I'm not interested in doing competition of any kind anymore, because when all of the fun of an activity is gone, the only thing you have remaining for when things go badly for you is frustration -- and life as a whole is already toxic enough as it is.

[@CrazyIrishmen7]

Fitting that the "Doom & Gloom" section of all of this is based around a desert, feels too perfect lol

[@chompompcharly]

Not a speedruner by any means, but as i've been watching speedrun history videos of various games, there comes a "point" where a speedrun progresses to the extent that you basically skip all of the "fun" out of the game or the speedrun progresses to a point where it's not very "fun" to play. While this doesn't happen with every game it's a looming threat. But seeing the community wanting to create a new category in order to get to play more of the game, is great, cuz at the end of the day you all just love playing jak 3.

[@CasualFehPlayer-rf6sl]

Hey Ricky gotta say loving this series and your channel as a whole, it’s really changed my opinion on speed running as a whole, as I used to think it was boring and waste of time but when I realised how much dedication, time and effort people put into it blows my mind. Jak 3 is one of my favourite PS2 games I still have mine and I’ve played it so much I can almost recite all the dialogue I’ve never had the mental capacity, time or energy for speed running but it’s always fun to see people break games in half for fun nevertheless looking forward to the next video.

[@CamCaustic]

I am genuinely enthralled by this series. You have single-handedly made speedrunning documentation and analysis one of my favourite genres of video and I was eagerly awaiting part V alot. Thank you for your efforts and I look forward to the rest of the series, and more!

[@ThaRixer]

Thanks :)

[@dewrod96servantofakenohime58]

Man… as someone who doesn’t follow speedrunning very closely, my mind continues to be blown learning things I didn’t even think were possible in my favorite game of all time. I’m just watching this documentary series like crack at this point. 🤣 Stellar work as usual, Ricky. 🔥

[@Hairbeaar]

WAKE UP BABE PART 5 OF THARIXERS JAX 3 DOCUMENTARY IS OUT

[@CrescentStorm]

The music and over all tone of the whole video was phenomenal, all the documentation of events from years ago is outstanding to say the least. it gives us all a better understanding on how far Jak 3 as a whole have come and the people behind all the new and wonderful tricks that have come and gone from the routes over the years! :) Absolutely amazing video Ricky!

[@ThaRixer]

:3

[@DijiEva]

Wanna say how much I’ve been enjoying this series. But I also want to mention my neuron activation at 2:06 when you used the KH2 Underworld music. Game music from this era is super nostalgic

[@Nightman_67]

Gave me a chuckle that when you said "The Desert" and the Siberia theme from TS2 started playing. Funny bit of irony

[@gloomlordssbm]

this series is my favorite speed doc ever, started watching jak 3 runs in 2014 so this is super cool to see all the innovation

[@DoctorSwellman]

Really really liked this one Ricky. You conveyed what honestly many communities have gone through at some point, even EarthBound. I remember when tutelarfiber7 went and routed manipulation through Twoson in the glitchless category, permanently changing the fastest route from then on. Apparently there was a gentleman's agreement in the community to not route the manip further as no one wanted to even think about getting the record with it It made several people quit or just switch to no manipulation at the time, because they just weren't having fun with it anymore. For better or worse, that's the glitchless route we use today in the record, and while new runners have taken the route in stride, it saddens me a little that such a massive change in the game put off many who I wanted to compete with at the top level Again, great job and wonderful storytelling. This is peak speedrunning content

[@ThaRixer]

Thanks doc, and yea i can see how manipulation would ruin the fun of earthbound a bit

[@Tairashimuzu]

That KH2 underworld music is putting in work

[@ANGELM73350]

I absolutely love the music edit when you introduce a new speedrunner It's "simple" but works so well every time I was wondering how we could possibly have 4 more videos to go before No OOB was mentionned Can't wait to see where this takes us

[@osukarui]

Finally had time to watch. Great storytelling as usual! Loved the route animations in the desert

[@heatblayze]

Great video mate. I feel like I can kinda even see your video editing and production skills improving over the course of this series alone. Thanks again for covering this topic so thoroughly, it's really awesome to see the history of the speedruns like this!

[@madeleine-bell]

these videos are all incredible. love using the dustforce soundtrack at the end too - been one of my fav chill tunes since high school.

[@nitronic4377]

Thank you for making these amazing videos. It makes me remember my childhood so much. The quality is insane. Its a miracle that you cover something so niche in such depth and so highly produced

[@PennoCash]

So much props dude this series is absolutely stellar, the edit, the script, the pacing, the music, very killer work.

[@DeltaKaT98]

This series is so awesome and well put together, I can't get enough of it! Soon as I finish the episode I am waiting eagerly for the next, knowing it will be several weeks at least. It's super cool you have put so much effort into this project and it really shows how passionate you are about this game. Keep up the great work bro! Can't wait to see what lies in store for you and the channel!

[@TheDunk93]

Amazing video as always. I also absolutely love the music and how you use it in this, from the underworld from KH2, the eerie soviet dam from timesplitters 2, to the classic FFX, incredible, absolutely incredible. Hats off to you sir

[@kuroraiko986]

The way this is presented is so engaging. The interviews, the clips, the analysis, and the fact that this is one of my favorite games come together to make this my favorite series on KZbin right now

[@frecio231]

I've never been into speedrunning, but your videos are extremely interesting. I cannot fathom complething Jak 3 in 20 minutes, like that game to me felt like a long, several hours epic and to reduce it to les than 30 minutes is incredible, thanks for the videos.

[@darko5290]

Your fooking editing man.Its nostalgic enough that you document one of my favourites games as a kid,but also adding all these bangers of ost from other legendary PS2 titles?AND FOOKING TIMSPLITERS AS WELL?You have given me a severe case of nostalgia

[@paulcuellar2680]

So glad I went to search for you after at least a year. Glad that I was able to watch 5 videos straight and can’t wait for the remaining 4 videos. Not a speedrun but of course love the jak series.

[@KalinGames]

What a great story. It's insane the things that people still do for this game. Really liked a lot of the camara work, cool shots when swimming

[@matthewwebb7921]

I freaking LOVE these videos and this format! This is such a good series! SO AMAZING

[@flufficornss]

i've watched this entire series so far while high and thank you so fucking much people like summoning salt even could take so much influence from your approach to the speedrun documentary formula

[@oftheBlazingNinjas]

Another banger video, Ricky! I'm very new to the speedrunning scene and learning about all my favourite classic games and their speedrunning history. Truth be told I rank the Jak franchise the lowest out of the classic PS2 franchises, but learning about the history of the scene, and your history with the game, has given me newfound respect. Looking forward to Era VI!

[@dykkerlaus]

Jak histroy with Kingdom hearts music continues to be the best soundscape on youtube

[@juggerdawg4505]

when you're done making the whole series you should make a supercut. I'd love to have 5 hours of jak speedrunning lore to binge all at once.

[@ThaRixer]

That is the plan

[@Smograd]

I love this series. Jak 3 was one of my most played games in my childhood. Seeing you wrapping up the speedrun history for this game fulfills my inner Child with great happiness. THANK YOU FOR THAT!!

[@nickonfaith_music129]

That TS 2 Siberia music takes me back, never been involved with speed running in any way, however I loved the Jak games & been hooked with this documentary from the first episode, absolutely amazing/interesting stuff! you sir are a legend

[@NotJackeru]

Ive been subscribed for a long time so the quality of your videos shouldnt be a suprise, but every video I watch I am amazed by how you manage to create a narrative that comes together beautifully at the end. Your storytelling is so interesting, I hope I get to experience it for years to come.

[@marathonmanspeedruns]

Great reflection on the thoughts and feelings towards change throughout this video. Excellent work man.

[@quarth9396]

i love that you highlight both the exciting innovation and unfortunate disappointment of the temple run strat so clearly, really helped me understand the mindset of the community members at the time. good luck on part 6 and thanks for the incredible work on all 5 episodes so far, they've been so damn engaging

[@Nuke_SR]

Another banger video, can't wait for the next one! May have to spend some time learning Jak 3 soon now that I know so much about it.

[@ash3s]

i remember i was watching when u was still at 10-20k something subscribers, nice to see u've come a long way

[@vulpinitemplar5036]

I love the niche of Spyro fodder profile pictures being great speedrunners :b

[@ThaRixer]

It's true lol

[@CasuallyClutching]

ERA V and we're still at 10 year old lore, this is so awesome

[@zaku28]

15:36 just leaving this here for future reference, what an incredible segment :D lovely video, can't wait to watch part VI once I'm done with this, and also VII when that one comes out!

[@OpenSourceai-iv8jb]

I absolutely loved the interviews included in this one. One small thing is could you please label them like you would see in a documentary!

[@ThaRixer]

Yea I did it the first time they appear but never after. I think for the supercut I'm going to change that to their name showing up the first time they're introduced in each era

[@NickSharpx]

I have been subbed to your channel for years and just found this series through this video. I'm gonna start watching them in order❤❤

[@SuperBeals]

Really appreciate all the work you're doing with these!

[@furqanamjad90]

Really loving your series on Jak3.

[@cerealsgames3118]

Love this series so much, the videos are amazing each time

[@jandaxprss6784]

The amount of depth and detail this series goes into compared to the video I watched about a year ago is amazing. Can’t wait for Era 6

[@keonakel9678]

Really enjoying this series, thank you again!

[@SimplyNotReally]

This series has become the most exciting notification i get on my phone. When i see it my heart skips a beat in excitement, like OH FUCK THE NEXT ERA IS READY!!! On one hand cant wait for this series to be over so it can become my bedtime playlist that i watch over and over. But on the other hand, im so grateful to get to be here as the story unfolds and its gonna be sad when it finally wraps up. Godspeed Ricky. Youre a phenomenal human being.

[@forthehomies7043]

I usually ASMR your vids to fall asleep a couple times a week (after legitimately watching them of course). Thanks for the next sesses :)

[@kinkytheslinky]

My favorite thing about your jak and ratchet videos is how in depth they are and learning the history behind speedrunning.

[@forestcult7780]

Your videos, and this Jak series as a whole has kinda given me a huge appreciation for the community that builds around speed games. If the PS4 version is viable, I might even try some of these tricks for fun

[@VBTMYT]

I was gone for a while Ricky but I'm back now. This is my favorite game of all time and I wanna start running it; you're an insiration sir!

[@Kfox0963]

Every time I see one of your videos in my subscription list, my jaw drops in excitement. YOU ROCK.

[@nobodysbusinezz]

love this stuff, Rick. I've had a lot of fun trying out rac and jad glitches because of vids like this. keep up the good work. o7

[@HunterNexos]

Man FANTASTIC work! I love all the episodes and the amount of effort you put into making them. Keep up the good work! :D

[@lostsoul8628]

I guess you could say the swimming to temple route gave insight to a community about the dissapointment of "finishing to fast" ;p And that you can indeed have to much "speed"

[@bballmaster1209]

Man I remember joining Ricky’s stream in 2015 and people were clowning on rolling through the desert %. And Ricky was pissed. Good times!

[@The-Wock]

Crazy work as always Ricky can’t wait to watch

[@bob_mikhail]

Thank you, this docuseries is very interesting

[@bobjoe9575]

Every time a new episode comes out, I feel like I've received bardic inspiration. Love the work!

[@alyshacoe2082]

The tense dramatic music whilst you get the various close up shots of Jacks fast swim had me cackling so hard 😂😂😂

[@lucasvieira9642]

Its nice to see you talking about something youre clearly passionate about. Waiting for the next eras ;)

[@AzureFan1]

the face when you said "what? are you going to there on foot?" was fuckin perfect @ 2:58 I also love the interviews! Not just the history, but the personalities behind the scene. (Think game cribs that TSM did for league way back in the day)

[@KongMan21]

I no joke looked yesterday to see if Part 5 had posted yet since i can't wait for each part and what are the odds it came out today! So excited to watch the rest of the series when it drops

[@Djassie18698]

Thankyou Rixer!! Every single day i check and see if you have a new video up, and today is my lucky day!

[@daffyduckffxiv5817]

My favorite series of games and i'm enjoying the hell out of all of these videos.

[@jacobbm2569]

keep up this amazing work! it's very entertaining and informative thank you so much

[@samuelmorojacques752]

I get so hyped when another episode drops

[@b5892q]

Another Fantastic video! It's awesome to see how each part evolves and the times get shorter and shorter, but also that people weren't entirely happy with just a faster time. Would be interesting to see the same for Prince of persia: warrior within. Ive only ever seen the fountain skips and your videos have me wondering the evolution prior to that.

[@shindig9000]

I'm super excited for the next part already!

[@funkdocc7880]

This series is soooooo good, keep it up Ricky

[@ahjington89]

I don't care at all about this game but I can't stop watching this series. Seriously some great content

[@Orice11]

I'm so invested in this mate. Can't wait to see the next Era.

[@mrphauker]

I'm not a speedrunner but I'm just glad it's 2024 and there's still Jak content coming out that has a lot of views. This is an awesome video regardless though !

[@nickolassantos9703]

this video series is definitely a masterpiece, thank you Ricky

[@DKTeddyBear]

I absolutely love how the whole map seems to be there all the time, meaning you can go anywhere you arent even supposed to, not like spyro where its seperate levels

[@moody7947]

Can’t wait for the next one! This is an incredible series

[@keminoharrul9071]

LETS GOOOOO!!!! Another amazing Jak 3 episode, it's always a highlight in my day, thanks Rixer

[@wearsjorge55]

The trigger discussion at 21mins makes me wish we couldve seen a finished jak 3, heck even jak 2 complete

[@Macro11Underscore1]

this felt like the oceans 11 of speedrunning; threading the needle of game logic holes to sneak in insanity. amazing.

[@yopoporrapax1135]

I was waiting for this so eagerly

[@0EloLP]

Coming home to a new vid from Ricky always makes my day