As Awesome Games Done Quick 2026 in Pittsburgh comes to a close, I’m full of emotions.

Right now adef is playing the final run of the event: a Pokémon Emerald run with wild rules designed to make it take even longer, which was also interrupted by a fire alarm (thankfully a false alarm). AGDQ and its summer counterpart SGDQ (the S is for Summer) are the twice yearly week-long events that help me hold on to that persistent belief that humanity is ultimately good.

I’m emotional every time it comes to an end, and oh my god I was emotional the whole time I was physically AT SGDQ2025! Such an aggressively welcoming event where “trans rights” is perhaps the most common phrase uttered all week. Trans speedrunners are featured throughout the week and the majority of the cis people featured are fighting for us too. This is a space that was actively forged to be this way. Ten years ago it was not like this and like many gaming communities it was at risk of turning bigoted and fascist. To turn around and become such a great place takes intense and active effort. And the event is GROWING every year because of it! GDQ is continual proof that being inclusive and good is a winning strategy that people want and will reward.

As of this post, they’ve currently raised 2.395 MILLION DOLLARS for the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

I’m determined to stay up for closing ceremonies. I always cry.

I can’t wait to go back to SGDQ this summer in Minneapolis. It was by far the best event I’ve ever been to. This time I hope to be more social and meet people too 😤