Welcome, on this thread you will find the full ruleset of the VCS leaderboard. Let's start:

Any% & No Major Glitches:

Timing starts on the first frame after confirming a new game and ends on the first visible frame of the End Credits

Already a rule.

Runs use the Real Time Attack (RTA) timing convention, which means it measures the real time that has passed from start to finish, rather than in-game time. Runs may be timed with an external timer (such as Livesplit/WSplit), though the timer does not have to be shown on video.

This rule hasn't changed.

Submission video must show the entire duration of the run from start to finish, including the menuing process leading to new game start (i.e beginning a highlight/VOD from 'System' tab in-game, or on the confirmation screen isn't allowed), as well as showing the end of the previous failed attempt that runner reset before starting a new run, if there's one, otherwise the early game booting process showcase would be required for a singular attempt.

Any save files loaded must be made during run. Loading an save file not made during run (including accidental) is forbidden. Usage of cheats (including accidental) is forbidden.

Every failed attempt reaching at least past Soldier requires a full game restart + starter save load before starting a new run to avoid any invalidating NG+ effects/any leftovers from any Dupe made (Any%) Starting a new game after starter save load is only allowed after a full game restart. Restarting process must be included in the submission video.

Real Hardware and Emulator:

Runs that wish to be considered world record require an additional full game restart + starter save load between each new attempt, because of possible NG+ effects and for extra cheating prevention purposes. Restarting process must be included in the submission video.

For more info about starter saves, check 'Info - How to create and use Starter Saves'

No Major Glitches:

The following Glitches are not allowed: -On Mission Manipulation including but not limited to: Vigilante, Crash, Rush, Pagers, Rampage or Empire Attack abuse -Current Mission Strand Manipulation -Partial Act Change Bypass -Padlock warps and other glitches only possible with the above

100%:

Timing starts on the first frame after confirming a new game and ends once the player has completed every single objective that gives the player a completion point.

Being rewarded percentage for the same objective twice is allowed (i.e: duping), but should be noted in the run comments for easier verification purposes

For more info on 100%, check 'Requirements for 100% Speedruns'

Individual Levels (ILs):

Only ONE mission instance is allowed to be active at any time; no duping nor instapassing. No unintended script execution is allowed to be used to pass the mission, such as executing the mission cleanup command during the mission.

This hasn't changed either.

Abusing IGT "accuracy" is banned (IGT is already inaccurate by a small fraction, but after several days can be abused to completely freeze).

Emulator:

Usage of savestates for runs is allowed, but only from a point before the official mission/sidemission/race/TT (run) start

Real Hardware (applies to all main and misc categories):

Any non-essential plugins are forbidden (e.g GTANativeRes, RemasteredControls, GePatch, Sharpscale)

Usage of savestates (even accidental) is forbidden. Emulator only glitches are forbidden. Anything proven not to work on console hardware (PSP's, PS2, PS3) is not allowed.

Making save states (even accidental) is also banned.

Emulator (applies to all main categories):

Usage of savestates (even accidental) is forbidden. Emulator only glitches are forbidden. Anything proven not to work on console hardware (PSP's, PS2, PS3) is not allowed.

Making save states (even accidental) is also banned.

Emulator runs require showing emulation/cheats settings after finishing a run. (Settings -> System -> Emulation and Cheats sections) Fast Memory option must be turned on, Ignore Bad Memory Accesses option must be turned off and Enable Cheats option must also be turned off.

You MUST use PPSSPP v1.11 (or any version newer than v1.11).

The Frame Counter and the Speed Counter must be present on-screen at all times For older PPSSP version: (Settings -> Graphics -> Overlay information section -> Show FPS counter -> set to "both") For newer PPSSPP versions: (Settings -> Graphics -> Overlay information section -> Show FPS counter and Show Speed) -> Check both boxes.

Limiting/changing FPS with external software is forbidden. Hardware related framedrops (unintended) are fine.

Plugins are FORBIDDEN, usage of ANY plugin will get your run rejected.

Emulator (applies to only misc categories):

Usage of savestates (even accidental) is forbidden. Emulator only glitches are forbidden. Anything proven not to work on console hardware (PSP's, PS2, PS3) is not allowed.

The Frame Counter and the Speed Counter must be present on-screen at all times For older PPSSP version: (Settings -> Graphics -> Overlay information section -> Show FPS counter -> set to "both") For newer PPSSPP versions: (Settings -> Graphics -> Overlay information section -> Show FPS counter and Show Speed) -> Check both boxes.

Limiting/changing FPS with external software is forbidden. Hardware related framedrops (unintended) are fine.

You also MUST use PPSSPP v1.11 (or any version newer than v1.11).

Plugins are FORBIDDEN, usage of ANY plugin will get your run rejected.

Any questions? Ask on the Discord server #gtavcs-help, me or another mod will help you for sure. BE AWARE: This thread is subject to any rule change at ANY TIME (as long as it is needed).