Without a recording of their performance, how could anything other than time and number of targets hit be judged? It's too easy to lie and it would defeat the purpose of the event if we can't see it.

If a person can't record with software, then use a phone. Set it up to point at the screen, record, play. If a person can't do either, then they can't participate. Not much else to be done there. Streaming and recording is becoming more common these days. I understand not everybody can, but it's easier than ever and not too much of a stretch.

The Hypercam2 software is free, a small download, and easy to use. It's pretty low tech so it should run on most low end computers. But it would just be one option, the person could use any method they want to record.

I don't think it's too weird that someone who wants to participate could choose a time they have free, and dedicate some time to download this and play it right away. I'm not going to get into details, but it wouldn't be as simple as uploading a file for everyone at once, to download and play whenever they want. There would be some coordination.

I never said that the video has to include any personal information, or even the RMN inbox. There are endless ways to send a person information that include timestamps. If I add you on any IM service, let's say Discord, I could send you a file and you would have a few minutes to open it, play it, and send a recording. I know when I sent you the file and I would know what time to expect a video. That way I know you're not running the level because you didn't have it until now, and if too much time passes it could be DQ'd for possible fraud. hahah Look, I'm not saying I've thought this out completely or that it's not silly or over...protective. But it can be deployed easily in a fair way that removes/reduces the chance of cheating. A person could get instructions and set everything up, test a recording, be totally prepared to receive the file and record it. Short video file, quick upload, done in 20 minutes.

But yes, it's all done to ensure nobody cheats. Why is that a bad thing? People will cheat if the opportunity is there. Even in the Olympics people cheat. If it's easy to remove that opportunity, why not do it?

Any person can make their own levels, or there could be a set of test levels made available for a time before the event. Practice there. But the actual runs themselves would be new to the player. All the basic skills are used, so it doesn't really matter if someone has seen this particular level before. They should still know how to jump, climb, and run.

This isn't THAT MUCH like the Olympics, it is Mario after all. Any mention of Olympics was more about the parody of Mario and Sonic game. This is more like... American Ninja Warrior. An obstacle course. And you can't compare this to a speedrun, because it's not about how fast you can one set level. This is about finding a way to test overall dynamic skill, reactions to new things is part of that. Doing the same level over and over until you master it, isn't really skill. That's just remembering. That could be a different type of event but it's not what I had in mind.

I'm making all this up as I go along, and I'm just thinking out loud. I don't know how well it would all work out or if I would even bother doing it. But the idea that it's elitist or condescending is kind of silly. It's competition. Are the Olympics elitist? Is the Stanley Cup playoffs condescending? Some people like to compete, it's that simple. E-Sports wouldn't be booming if that wasn't the case. If you don't like the idea and just play Mario for fun, then don't participate.