The speedrunning community is gearing up for Games Done Quick’s Back to Black 2026, a four-day charity event kicking off tomorrow, . Organized by Black in a Flash, the event aims to raise money for Race Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing systemic racism.
Back to Black 2026 follows closely on the heels of Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) which took place in January. This event is specifically designed to highlight the talent within the Black speedrunning community, timed to coincide with the start of Black History Month. The event will run through .
While the full schedule was released on Tuesday, a preview of some of the runs had been available since last year. Confirmed runs include speedruns of Hades II, Donkey Kong Country, and Silent Hill 4. The complete schedule, available at gamesdonequick.com/schedule/63, also features a co-op run of Plants vs Zombies: Replanted scheduled for , and an Any% run of The Barbie Diaries: High School Mystery on .
Games Done Quick events are known for their live broadcasts, and Back to Black 2026 will be no exception. Viewers can tune in to watch the speedruns live on both the Games Done Quick Twitch and YouTube channels. This provides a platform for showcasing the skill and dedication of Black speedrunners to a broad audience, while simultaneously supporting a vital cause.
The choice of Race Forward as the beneficiary underscores the event’s commitment to social impact. Race Forward works across communities to address systemic racism, aligning with the event’s focus on Black excellence and representation. This isn’t simply a gaming event; it’s a deliberate effort to leverage the popularity of speedrunning to support an organization actively working towards racial justice.
Black in a Flash, the organizing body behind Back to Black, plays a crucial role in curating the event and ensuring it provides a welcoming and supportive environment for Black speedrunners. Their involvement is key to the event’s success in highlighting the often-underrepresented talent within the speedrunning community.
The Back to Black event represents a growing trend within Games Done Quick to create more focused and inclusive events. While AGDQ is a broad showcase of speedrunning talent, Back to Black provides a dedicated space for celebrating Black speedrunners and raising awareness for issues impacting the Black community. This targeted approach allows for a deeper engagement with both the gaming community and the cause being supported.
For those unfamiliar with speedrunning, it involves completing video games as quickly as possible, often utilizing glitches and exploits to bypass normal gameplay limitations. It requires a high degree of skill, practice, and knowledge of the game being run. Games Done Quick events showcase the incredible dedication and ingenuity of speedrunners, turning what might seem like a niche hobby into a compelling spectator sport.
The event’s schedule is a key component of its appeal. The variety of games featured ensures there’s something for everyone, from classic titles to newer releases. The inclusion of both solo and co-op runs adds another layer of excitement, showcasing different styles of gameplay and teamwork. The full games list can be found at gdq.gg/btb2026-gameslist.
Back to Black 2026 is more than just a gaming event; it’s a demonstration of how the gaming community can come together to support important social causes. By providing a platform for Black speedrunners and raising money for Race Forward, the event is making a tangible difference in the fight against systemic racism. The event’s success will likely pave the way for similar initiatives within the Games Done Quick organization and the broader gaming community.
