Technically you don’t even need a timer on the screen at all (unless the game has bad rules and lazy mods). As long as you submit a run with an accurate time, it doesn’t matter whether you use splits, just a timer or an old fashioned stop watch to time it.

Some games also use igt :) like for sonic so yeah ^^ just make sure to read the rules of a game to find out about the igt thing :)

Splits are for the benefit of the runner first and foremost. (They can also benefit the audience, but only if they benefit the runner) If you prefer not to have splits, or to take them in different places than is conventional for your run, go for it. Only thing that matters is that the timer starts and stops in the same places as everyone else.