The most recent big modding tool made for the game by Batzpup includes a modification option to skip the entire intro sequence of the game. You hit new game, pick your name, then deck, then side, then start. This would obviously not be the same as running vanilla, but it would create an environment for all types of speedrunners to pick up and play and do runs. In particular, newer players have a good format to learn the game and focus on playing it rather than focusing on resetting the intro.

Kind of like how Forbidden Memories has the popular 15 card run to make a more runnable format in a modified game, an intro skip mod could be its nice own thing that exists as means of people to run through DotR in a more run-friendly format.

The DotR community has voted against things such as savestates, starting from continue, and maintaining its way of play for a very long time now, and it's quite clear that this will not change any time soon. The state of the game is dead very often, and while I don't think adding a speedrunner mod will revolutionize the game, I think it can be a more accessible fun gateway for newer players.

I'm only posting this to gauge interest and peoples second opinions on this. And related to that, I would like some sort of assistance and support with this if possible, after organizing a patch for the rom for this format at all, for there to at least be a leaderboard for it as category extensions if done so there is a board for people to submit runs.

I personally think this is a good idea. I know a lot of people wouldnt care and it wouldnt necessarily bring everyone back to the game, if anyone at all even briefly, but I think it is worth giving this idea a try.