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Narcissa Wright appreciation thread

maxcriden

Member
I thought given the situation with the internet bullying of Ms. Wright, despite her immense talents in the gaming community, it might be nice if we could show our support and appreciation for this incredible talent.

If you're not familiar with Ms. Wright, per wiki:

Narcissa Wright (born July 21, 1989) is an American speedrunner and cofounderof the website SpeedRunsLive, which allows speedrunners to race with one another in real time. Wright has previously held the records for the fastest completion of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on the GameCube, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on the iQue Player, Paper Mario on the Wii using Virtual Console, and Castlevania 64 on the Nintendo 64.

Wright has attended many notable charity speedrunning events, including Awesome Games Done Quick and Dreamhack 2014.

Ms. Wright has done a ton for the gamin community in terms of talent and charity.

Some highlights:

AGDQ 2014 raises over a million bucks for charity

Full Nintendo World Championships 2015, where Ms. Wright took second place!

Zelda OOT in 18:10 - self-described best speedrun she's ever done

If someone could be so kind as to tweet this thread to her, please do.

Note: please keep any discussion of the bullying to the other thread. This is simply a place to show our appreciation for the legend herself, as a role model, gamer, and philanthropist.

Mods, if this is not appropriate, please lock. No harm intended with this thread, I just thought it might be nice for her to be able to see how appreciated she is here at GAF.
 
Here's her youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmoSpeedruns/videos?nohtml5=False

I remember her playing WWHD when it came out to see which glitches still existed in the HD remake. Not entirely a speedrun, but a glitch run, and it led to a lot of great moments and miiverse pictures.

My favorite moment was getting so many of the little thorny guys (Morths) it nearly broke the game. In gamecube, this would have crashed the game, but on Wii U, it just looked crazy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y8ZLnypHOQ

There's also this video explaining melee competitive play a bit, and the 'exploits' people use to their advantage to make it so entertaining to watch (in particular, fox): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwo_VBSfqWk

Definitely who got me into watching speedruns.

100% absolutely. Without cosmo/narcissa, I definitely would not care about speedruns as much as I do now.
 
I always tuned in to watch those Zelda speedruns. Anyone should take the time to watch them they're really amazing. She is a great talent, it was really one of the first times I was really impressed by speedruns.
 
I remember her playing WWHD when it came out to see which glitches still existed in the HD remake. Not entirely a speedrun, but a glitch run, and it led to a lot of great moments and miiverse pictures.

My favorite moment was getting so many of the little thorny guys (Morths) it nearly broke the game. In gamecube, this would have crashed the game, but on Wii U, it just looked crazy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y8ZLnypHOQ

That's a glorious sight to behold. Almost looks like some kind of fluid dynamics simulation when they're all in that pit and hopping around in an attempt to reattach themselves.
 
I think some of her runs played a huge part in the speedrunning popularity boom that's happening today, including the millions of dollars that the AGDQ runs have brought in over the past few years. Wouldn't be possible if speedrunning hadn't gotten as big as it has.
 
Super impressive speed runs and she has always seemed like a total sweetheart on streams. Wish you the best Narcissa! Fuck the haters, you are a master! You can have a safe internet haven here on gaf ya know!
 
Speedrunners play and think about games so differently than I do so I'm always SO impressed. Great work here!
 
Her Wind Waker runs were what got me into watching speedruns, and I loved her OoT ones, too. She's always very knowledgeable and charismatic, and I was always incredibly impressed that she could provide thoughtful commentary whilst accomplishing such impressive feats. All the best to her, I completely agree with those above saying the community wouldn't be the same without all that she's accomplished.
 
Narcissa, together with other speedrunners like Siglemic, ZFG etc. were and are definitely instrumental in getting speedrunning to the masses. I know that I have been massively inspired by her work, and want all the best for her. I especially enjoy the Wind Waker speedruns. Such a great speed game.
 
I only know her from her appearance on the Nintendo World Championships, which was glorious! I hope she still owns the 3DS signed by Miyamoto, I am so jealous!

What a hero. I truely hope to see her compete again or blow people's minds with speed runs.

I know I haven't seen much of her work, but if the haters get to criticise her based on what little they know, then I should get to praise her based on my few peals as well.
 
Uuuuuuuuh......

Isn't she also upset that people egg on her to speedrun again even though she's physically unable to?

Bad timing, OP.

I'm not egging her on to speedrun. Is it untoward to celebrate her prior accomplishments? I thought some appreciation and recognition would be nice and appreciated regardless, given what she's been going through, so she can see people care and appreciate her. I'm open to what you think, though.
 
Another instance of the tacit acceptance of hate against trans people, honestly.

I hadn't heard she'd ended her twitch channel. Can't say I'm surprised, though. I watched her speedrun windwaker for probably 80+ hours of my life.
 
I used to watch her sporadically back when I was more into speed runs. But I just so happened to be watching the stream when she got the OoT world record. That was a blast to watch. I don't think speed running would be where it is now without her and I hope that she sticks around and remains a figure head in the community. Event planner/master of ceremonies type deal of gdq's or something.
 
Narcissa was a wicked speedrunner who's given more then her fair share to the community. As usual, the internet hate machine couldn't have fallen on a better person.

If Narcissa does end up receiving this thread, I appreciate the work you've done and the amazingly educational commentation on the majority of your runs (I love this Symphony of the Night commentary)! It may not be worth much from a single poster on the internet, but hopefully as a whole, we wish you the best going forward!
 
I think it's more important for her to know that speed-running isn't where the possibilities of achievement / her identity end.

Of course not. But amidst the hate, I thought the least to be done was to celebrate her skills. These are not limited to speedrunning in my OP as I also highlight her charitable acts. I'm unsure what your issue is with the thread really. I want to understand so if it is something heinous I've done by creating the thread despite my good intentions, I could ask a mod to close it. But I'm failing to see the issue with lauding her in a time when others are deriding her, my understanding is that's usually when people are most heartened by kindnesses. My real point is that she is skilled in speedrunning, in charitable acts, in excellent live performance during NWC. I have every confidence that she is immensely talented and can be an incredible success at anything she sets her mind and skills to. I had hoped this intention would be self-evident.
 
Loved her appearances on AGDQ and during the Nintendo championship, that was my highlight of E3 2015. I've seen her Ocarina speedruns so many times!

With her talents, skills and intelligence, she will be able to land on her feet without a doubt. She just needs to see that people support her even if she doesn't feel like speedrunning anymore. She's raised thousands of dollars for charity at a very young age, that's already a great acomplishment and I'm sure there are more to come.
 
I'm not egging her on to speedrun. Is it untoward to celebrate her prior accomplishments? I thought some appreciation and recognition would be nice and appreciated regardless, given what she's been going through, so she can see people care and appreciate her. I'm open to what you think, though.

I think that, aside from the trans issue, Narcissa is probably one of the first examples of what happens when someone gets "out" of the business and it goes bad.

I think you could argue she was one of the most popular and prolific of the current speedrunning community. But calling it a community might be a little generous. For many people, it was nothing more than watching an entertainer and wanting to be entertained. They have no interest in the entertainer's life nor really should they.

Narcissa decided to get out of the business, for her own personal justifiable reasons, and now we witness how the community is handling that. I.E., poorly.

It also highlights the problems that many of these speedrunners, and even streamers in general, face when their time in the spotlight is over. What do you do? For many, your entire life and career was built around this, and now that you can't do it, or the money isn't there for you anymore, what are you to do?

Anyone would look back on that and feel a bit of resentment. Like your heart is in the right place trying to celebrate her accomplishments and popularity, but it also sums up her career in a neat little package, and highlights how narrow her skills being displayed actually were, along with reminding her that really, those days are over.

There might be great future prospects, but they are still the "future". In the here, and the now, everything that she has essentially spent a fair chunk of her life on is over.

It's a tough situation to be in and it's a tough situation to try and help.
 
OoT in 18:10, meanwhile I've been playing it recently and it's been taking me weeks LOL

Amazing stuff. Talented speed runners are incredible, and I hope she finds happiness in whatever she decides to do next!
 
It also highlights the problems that many of these speedrunners, and even streamers in general, face when their time in the spotlight is over. What do you do? Your entire life and career was built around this, and now that you can't do it, or the money isn't there for you anymore, what are you to do?
I believe -- though I may be misremembering -- that she does freelance web/graphic design work?

I don't think this is the biggest issue in this case but perhaps I am ignorant.
 
I believe -- though I may be misremembering -- that she does freelance web/graphic design work?

I don't think this is the biggest issue in this case but perhaps I am ignorant.

I'd have to imagine a lot of streamers/runners have day jobs and/or do freelance work. It's almost a necessity. I think Narcissa might have been one of the few who reached the level, if only for awhile, that she wouldn't "need" to, but losing that amount of income can be a pretty massive hit.
 
My absolute favourite speed runner, always been a genuine and cool person on stream and at events, she and Siglemic are GOATS! its terrible hearing about these things going on because I've been out the loop for a while in the speed running community.
Doesn't she post on GAF sometimes, at least I remember her room mate did! Maybe they can forward this all on?
 
Pff, Ocarina of Time, look at this Monkey Ball speed run. Anyone who knows thisgame will be mighty impressed. OoT is good, but a loto f it is cutscenes playing. The Monkey Ball speed run is pure gold.
 
It's okay, I just reckon a "remember your glory days" isn't that productive in an existential crisis.

Right, but the intention isn't "remember your glory days." It's "you're awesome, people appreciate you." To brighten her spirits. That's it. Not for the sake of any further contemplation or existential crisis fuel, but simply in opposition to those spreading hate to and about her, my understanding is that one way to counter such awful behavior is by celebrating the person's excellence and showing them how they are seen as excellent. I think you are seeing this as a lot more complicated than it's intended to be. This is simply meant to be an appreciation thread for her. People are deriding her, so I and others are celebrating her awesomeness, which will hopefully only make her feel better, and I'll note again this awesomeness being celebrated is not simply as a speedrunner but as a philanthropist and public figure.

(So I'm confused as to what's making it come off to you the way it is. Not for the first time, you seem intent on interpreting my posts in a way antithetical to how I'm intending, so I'm wondering if I just am not conveying myself at all properly. My apologies if so.)

I think that, aside from the trans issue, Narcissa is probably one of the first examples of what happens when someone gets "out" of the business and it goes bad.

I think you could argue she was one of the most popular and prolific of the current speedrunning community. But calling it a community might be a little generous. For many people, it was nothing more than watching an entertainer and wanting to be entertained. They have no interest in the entertainer's life nor really should they.

Narcissa decided to get out of the business, for her own personal justifiable reasons, and now we witness how the community is handling that. I.E., poorly.

It also highlights the problems that many of these speedrunners, and even streamers in general, face when their time in the spotlight is over. What do you do? For many, your entire life and career was built around this, and now that you can't do it, or the money isn't there for you anymore, what are you to do?

Anyone would look back on that and feel a bit of resentment. Like your heart is in the right place trying to celebrate her accomplishments and popularity, but it also sums up her career in a neat little package, and highlights how narrow her skills being displayed actually were, along with reminding her that really, those days are over.

There might be great future prospects, but they are still the "future". In the here, and the now, everything that she has essentially spent a fair chunk of her life on is over.

It's a tough situation to be in and it's a tough situation to try and help.

I completely understand where you're coming from but I guess (a) I don't see her accomplishments as at all narrow given her philanthropic accomplishments and immense skills in a hobby many of us make a significant part of our lives, and (b) please do see my post above, where I try to clarify the intentions with this thread, which are more simple than it seems like they may be coming off as.
 
Right, but the intention isn't "remember your glory days." It's "you're awesome, people appreciate you."

I mean the thread is literally called "Narcissa Wright speedrunning appreciation thread".

If it wasn't a "remember the glory days", it would've just been "Narcissa Wright appreciation thread".

Again, not saying your heart isn't in the right place, just I can see why it would be interpreted as a "remember how awesome you used to be at speedrunning?".
 
I mean the thread is literally called "Narcissa Wright speedrunning appreciation thread".

If it wasn't a "remember the glory days", it would've just been "Narcissa Wright appreciation thread".

Again, not saying your heart isn't in the right place, just I can see why it would be interpreted as a "remember how awesome you used to be at speedrunning?".

Telling an entertainer "we like what you have done, we still find great enjoyment in this and we appreciate you characteristics that made this possible" should not be reduced to "we are sad that you cannot produce the same content anymore". The character traits that are needed to get this good in those games are still present within the entertainer then. Take a look at sports champions (even though I don't consider video games sports, mind you, it is still analogous), you can celebrate past achievements and therefore the person in question without it meaning "why are you not this good anymore".
 
Her speedruns are wonderful and really entertaining. She just seems like a great person in general, and i hope she's able to continue doing whatever she wants to do. Seeing some of her tweets on my timeline yesterday made me very worried.
 
I didn´t know much about her, but I enjoyed the videos a lot. Very entertaining to see, I love a good speedrun!
 
I mean the thread is literally called "Narcissa Wright speedrunning appreciation thread".

If it wasn't a "remember the glory days", it would've just been "Narcissa Wright appreciation thread".

Again, not saying your heart isn't in the right place, just I can see why it would be interpreted as a "remember how awesome you used to be at speedrunning?".

Yes. The thread is called that. I can't dispute that. She is primarily known for speedrunning, so I titled it thusly for the sake of efficiency and recognition by posters. If I called it "speedrunning and philanthropy and gaming expertise appreciation," it would've been too wordy for my tastes. So that was for my own linguistic selfish purposes.

But I still think you are reading into it a degree that is unusual for such kinds of appreciations. When Owen Wilson struggled with mental health conditions, I don't think it would have been untoward to make note of his accomplishments as an actor and human being in order to draw attention to his successes so people could have a greater appreciation of his skills, especially if seeing that might be heartening. I don't think he'd read it and think it was easily interpretable as "remember when I used to be great at acting?" And I would have to imagine such a person of talent and humbleness, as Ms. Wright has always come off as to me, wouldn't merely read the title and interpret it in a self-deprecating way. When you read the OP I think it's pretty clear that's in no way my intent.

There's nothing about my others' posts ITT that I can say to me comes off at all as "remember those glory days of your prior talent," especially when the focus on the actual content of my post was about her other talents as a charitable person and charismatic performer as well, and especially as I've clarified this beyond in my OP. I think there can be a tendency in reading others' words online to interpret them in the most dire or drastic way possible, whatever the intention, but I think those interpretations can often be to the extreme and far beyond how most are going to take in a post and read it themselves. That's my take on it, I hope you don't feel like in delegitimizing your feelings about it because I do respect them.
 
Telling an entertainer "we like what you have done, we still find great enjoyment in this and we appreciate you characteristics that made this possible" should not be reduced to "we are sad that you cannot produce the same content anymore". The character traits that are needed to get this good in those games are still present within the entertainer then. Take a look at sports champions (even though I don't consider video games sports, mind you, it is still analogous), you can celebrate past achievements and therefore the person in question without it meaning "why are you not this good anymore".

No, it shouldn't be reduced to that, and I'd wager in most situations when you're celebrating someone's past achievements that's exactly how they would take it.

But now you're dealing with someone with heavy depression and suicidal thoughts, and they're not going to have the same benefit of rationalization.

I just spent the better part of the last 3-4 months of my life making sure my girlfriend didn't try and kill herself. Trust me when I say I have a bit of direct personal experience in this kind of situation.

We should all, definitely, be supportive of Narcissa, and we can show this in any way we can. She was definitely a beacon of the speedrunning community, and thanks to her dozens if not hundreds if not thousands of people may follow in her footsteps and get into the practice.

That's the kind of legacy we should be celebrating. Not marveling at her records. But acknowleding what she is responsible for going forward. That speedrunning is and forever will be a more noticable, enjoyable place because of her time in it. That there will always be a place for her there, no matter where she goes or what she decides to tackle next. Speedrunning isn't all she is, but it will always be there for her.

I get that that's maxcriden was "trying" to do, and I would hope if Narcissa reads it she'll understand that as well. Just.... understand how tricky this gets and how careful with words and sentiments you need to be.
 
I don't watch speedruns on the regular, but she was the first speedrunner I ever saw. It was back in the days where OoT runs were nearly half an hour long, so I guess that was a while ago. It was still super impressive, and is probably THE reason I watch AGDQ and SGDQ every year now.

Thanks Narcissa. I'm so sorry that this is happening to you.
 
No, it shouldn't be reduced to that, and I'd wager in most situations when you're celebrating someone's past achievements that's exactly how they would take it.

But now you're dealing with someone with heavy depression and suicidal thoughts, and they're not going to have the same benefit of rationalization.

I just spent the better part of the last 3 months of my life making sure my girlfriend didn't try and kill herself. Trust me when I say I have a bit of direct personal experience in this kind of situation.

We should all, definitely, be supportive of Narcissa, and we can show this in any way we can. She was definitely a beacon of the speedrunning community, and thanks to her dozens if not hundreds if not thousands of people may follow in her footsteps and get into the practice.

That's the kind of legacy we should be celebrating. Not marveling at her records.
But acknowleding what she is responsible for going forward. That speedrunning is and forever will be a more noticable, enjoyable place because of her time in it. That there will always be a place for her there, no matter where she goes or what she decides to tackle next. Speedrunning isn't all she is, but it will always be there for her.

I get that that's maxcriden was "trying" to do, and I would hope if Narcissa reads it she'll understand that as well. Just.... understand how tricky this gets and how careful with words and sentiments you need to be.

This is exactly what the thread is intended to be for, and what the examples in my OP are meant to show. I know at least one of them falls into the "marveling at numbers" category but that is in respect and awe, not in an attempt to reduce her to numbers. FWIW, though, as Yoshi was saying we do often celebrate accomplishments of impressive numbers in a variety of fields. I think perhaps the word "speedrunning" in the title is what stuck in your craw. I'm glad to have it removed and will ask a mod to do so.
 
Telling an entertainer "we like what you have done, we still find great enjoyment in this and we appreciate you characteristics that made this possible" should not be reduced to "we are sad that you cannot produce the same content anymore". The character traits that are needed to get this good in those games are still present within the entertainer then. Take a look at sports champions (even though I don't consider video games sports, mind you, it is still analogous), you can celebrate past achievements and therefore the person in question without it meaning "why are you not this good anymore".

A difference is that no one tells sports champions who retire to return to playing because they usually stopped due to age and/or their physical condition.

People still actively demanded Narcissa to do something that she didn't want to do anymore (speedrunning) and harassed her about it. That's why I personally feel uneasy about focusing only on the speedrunning at this time, even though that's what she's primarily known for.
 
Narcissa was one of the most enjoyable and talented speedrunners that I had the pleasure of watching, and was undoubtedly an influence on my few speedruns from a few years ago. One of Narcissa's most impressive talents was being able to explain very complicated scenarios clearly while simultaneously completing speed runs, which is no easy task when running games takes so much focus. Very sad to see the hardships she is dealing with and I truly hope for the best.

I know this thread is about speedrunning but I also wanted to show appreciation for her Smash Bros. play and performance at the Nintendo World Championships. Total respect from me.
 
I've been enjoying her speedruns lately, what a great channel! Hope she decides to continue in any forms she wants. I think the audience will be there, regardless.
 
A difference is that no one tells sports champions who retire to return to playing because they usually stopped due to age and/or their physical condition.

People still actively demanded Narcissa to do something that she didn't want to do anymore (speedrunning) and harassed her about it. That's why I personally feel uneasy about focusing only on the speedrunning at this time, even though that's what she's primarily known for.

Here in this thread, though, FWIW, none of us are advocating her to return to speedrunning. But I do see your point. Also, as I tried to clarify above, I want to focus on not only her speedrunning here. Apologies for muddling the OP and title.

I just spent the better part of the last 3-4 months of my life making sure my girlfriend didn't try and kill herself. Trust me when I say I have a bit of direct personal experience in this kind of situation..

I meant to reply to this as well. In my haste to respond to you quickly I neglected to do so. My apologies. You have my deepest sympathies for what you have been dealing with, and I hope things have or will be getting easier for the both of you.

ETA: I see now when I said "this esteemed gaming community" it probably read as though I was saying the speedrunning community. I actually meant GAF. I've edited the OP in general based on feedback in this thread, and also edited this statement to clarify.
 
The whole reason I got into watching speedruns was because of the TLoZ:WW speedruns. And the Super Monkey Ball runs? Insane stuff. Incredible.
 
FWIW, though, as Yoshi was saying we do often celebrate accomplishments of impressive numbers in a variety of fields. I think perhaps the word "speedrunning" in the title is what stuck in your craw.

I won't derail this thread because I know it's purpose (your purpose for it) was a show of support for Narcissa. One I wholeheartedly agree with. She's only 26. Life has literally just begun, and the opportunities for her are endless. I'll PM you a short blurb.
 
Hi Narcissa! If you're reading this, I just want you to know that no matter what some jerks are saying about you, you're a wonderful person and are loved on NeoGaf and beyond. I know you're struggling right now, but we have your back! Things will get better, I promise!

If everyone could send her some nice, positive tweets as well, maybe even send her a link to this thread, that would be great.
 
Narcissa...Cosmo...you're an inspiration. I don't mean because of your game playing skill either. You had the courage to be you. Most people will never even try. I'm a gamer working in a power plant surrounded by rednecks and bigots and amongst them I can see several folks who dont have your strength to admit who they are. They parrot and snicker and do whatever is easiest to get by and tell themselves that its enough because they don't want to risk ever being unhappy for a moment to truly be free and be themselves. You are free. Its not without pain, or without the derision of those so insecure they feel that they themselves are threatened anytime someone is different and it never will be, but you are free.

You don't have pretend you're someone you are not. You dont have to live up to anyone else's standards, or preferences of what they think everyone should be including yourself. You've come out as who you are, and shown what you love. Anytime anyone does this there are those that will be eager to pounce and pour their own derision on that person as if putting down someone else will somehow elevate their own status amongst others. Folks like that only know hate because they forgot long ago how to care about anything...usually because they became to afraid to show what they truly cared about unless someone should mock them.

Your strength in putting who you are out there to the world over and over again surpasses those of the people who wish to bring you down and hurt you inside. You standing up makes them regret the things they never admitted they cared for because people become to obsessed with fitting in to be themselves. The crew I switched to at the plant has folks opening up now compared to the crew I was on for years. I'm discovering nerds, gamers, old men who collect comic books, and at least one person who is in the closet. Not everyone has your strength, but you staying out there for those that were there is something that helps give folks strength to look for the courage in themselves to admit who they are and eventually celebrate it. I'm seeing that now after openly being a nerd in a power plant full of roughnecks for years. I stayed myself and now folks are respecting that because they couldn't make me stop being what I was. They either accept...or move on.

I know people hurt you. Words hurt. You hear them after they are silent. But just because you hear something doesn't mean you have to listen.

You are you. At the end of the day its just you who has to be okay with that. If others choose to have a problem then its THEIR problem to have and not in any way your fault. If they choose to be the kind of person who gets upset over how others live or what others do then they choose themself to be upset...but that doesn't mean you have to choose to join them too. Choose to do what you love and be who you love. At the end of the day it only has to be good enough for you. You can't make others happy just by being honest. It'll burn you out trying. Just accept folks will continue to find targets to hate on because they will never address the things they hate about their own choices and leave them to themselves. Hopefully one day seeing someone like you standing tall and still enjoying their life no matter how much they hate will make them realize that they can find happiness too if they stopped spending all their time tearing people down and instead tried to find their own happiness. I'm starting to see it where I work.

I hope this message reaches you. You're very special. Not because you game. Not because you're public. But because you are you. That's all you ever need to be and the fact that you try is more than most people ever have the courage to attempt to do.
 
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