All Restart Checkpoint Time saves

https://docs.google.com/document/d/146jp7iA7BA7cZVIeQHsSgNB7VwiKKkeILd0Lw6rFGbY/edit?usp=sharing

Fastest Dialogue Options

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sWaew_Vnm_DYUirokCvRofQK83h4MuPQeGBOi2vTxbM/edit?usp=sharing

Guidelines on "Time without loads"

# Guidelines on “Time without Loads"

These are the rules on what count as a load in Horizon Zero Dawn Speedrunning. Time is not being counted while the loading screens listed below are on screen during a run. We encourage every runner to read these guidelines and try to learn how to time their own run without loads.

## Why are HZD Speedruns timed without loads?

Leaderboards are timed without loads because having different hardware (PS4 with an SSD, high end PC, ...) speeds up your loading screens. So in order to have a more fair playing field for all runners we time runs loadless.

# What counts as a load

Loading screens are the orange/red screens with the “Loading...” text in the bottom left corner. The text is different depending on the text language you play on.

There are also 4 cutscenes with loading screens at the beginning of the game. These are cutscenes that can be paused, but can not be skipped immediately. The “Loading…” text will appear in the bottom left corner when the cutscene is paused. When the game is done loading the cutscene can be skipped. It only counts as a load when the cutscene is loading. You can see the status when you pause the loading screen. You don't have to pause for the memory based load remover on PC to detect the load.


**The 4 cutscenes are:**

- The second cutscene between “A gift from the past” and “Lessons of the Wild”
- The training montage cutscene where Aloy becomes an adult.
- The intro cutscene to “The Proving”
- The cutscene right after the “The Proving”

*Note that the first two cutscenes listed above do not appear in New Game+  (NG+) because the Childhood section is automatically skipped in NG+.

# How do I time my loads?

On PC you must use the memory based load remover to time your loads. On console you can use the video based load remover. The best and most accurate way to retime it manually, is to take the video of your run and put it into a video editing program. Cut the video to exactly where the run starts and ends. Then cut out all the loading screens. Once that is done you can see how long the video is and that will be your “time without loads.”

You can also time all the loads and subtract that from your “time with loads” to get your “time without loads.” It is important if you do this to be as accurate as possible.

# Common questions about loads

## Does it matter how a loading screen happens?

No, as long as the loading screens listed above appears, it counts as a load. The reason as to how the loading screen appears does not matter. If the loading screen is there, its a load no matter what.

## If my game crashes/blue screens does that count as a load?

No, only the loading screens listed above counts as loads. If you close the game or it crashes mid run it does not count as a loading time.

**If you have any questions after reading this then the best place to ask in on our community discord server. You can find a link to it on the top of this page. If you don't use Discord then you can ask questions on the forum.**

How to set up a NG+ Save File

Here is a guide on how to set up a Speedrun NG+ Save File. Check the link below to see the guide.

Link to the guide:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17mG3F4aNJvYAKJ7GYNOrgRQE01ePeIBgJbhrhubcYmo/edit?usp=sharing

How to Smack%

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiq4HJnrQBA&t=3s

LiveSplit Load Remover Installation and Setup

The following link provides instructions for setup and installation of the video based load remover for HZD.

**Important:** If you are on PC, you must use the **memory based** load remover, not this one!


https://github.com/blegas78/autoSplitters

So far this has worked for various system configurations including for those that use a capture card or PS4 Share.  If you have any issues, please let me know in the discord.

Good Luck!

Up to Date Video Tutorial: https://youtu.be/TIU9j-prm7M

NG+ Story Tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzhDIN-fGvc

TFW 100% Route

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xvcq6-tuHHDbCluW3PCkkV67bl4cfcJpizTkTAieZZA/edit

TFW Any% Route

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rgS-XLxGEsknI4Eiz6zZO9HlgNXT9aJdjrLQnSDSep8/edit

TFW NG+ Story Tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w85xdblrZv4

If you have questions you should visit the community discord

Nome	Autore
All Restart Checkpoint Time saves	everydayaussie 4 years ago
Fastest Dialogue Options	Robsdedude 4 years ago
Guidelines on "Time without loads"	Elkjaer 5 years ago
How to set up a NG+ Save File	Elkjaer 3 years ago
How to Smack%	Overkiter 2 years ago
LiveSplit Load Remover Installation and Setup	blegas78 3 years ago
NG+ Story Tutorial	imbeingian 3 years ago
TFW 100% Route	everydayaussie 4 years ago
TFW Any% Route	everydayaussie 4 years ago
TFW NG+ Story Tutorial	imbeingian 4 years ago