For some games the difference between a gold and cherry clear is nonexistent for high level (or sometimes even just competent) speedrunning. What I mean is that skilled runners attempting a gold clear will naturally fulfill the cherry requirements by accident. I suggest that some games should simply have an empty cherry category--or a "run" providing info as to why it's empty--with cherry runs occupying the gold board, instead of dividing competing runs between two leaderboards. By no means does this need to be permanent: if it turns out an optimal gold clear is incompatible with a cherry clear, the cherry category can simply be re-added.

Wait, why get rid of the cherry category and not gold? Players below the top level may have a run that qualifies for gold but not cherry, ex. Bushido Ball (win without continues) or The Big Bell Race (place 1st in all rounds). If the gold category was instead removed, where would these runs go? This may seem like it contradicts my entire post, but I think this is the best way to keep runs accessible to new players while also gearing the boards towards the top level.

A list of games I think qualify, so should only have a gold category:

• Paint Chase - Beat every level for gold, win with 555+ score for cherry

The only way to really speedrun Paint Chase is to get 100% paint on some levels, as this ends the level before the timer runs out. It seems clear that any competent run would reach the score requirement.

• Planet Zoldath - Win for gold, win in <20 minutes for cherry
• Devilition - Win for gold, win with 30k+ score for cherry

The one completed run for Devilition clears this by over 5k, even with unused and "wasted" pieces--there's also a time bonus, so as runs get faster the score becomes even less of a problem.

• Kick Club - Win for gold, win with 150k+ score for cherry

The only thing standing between a gold speedrun and a cherry speedrun is laziness. Just collect the junk food at the end of the round.

• Bushido Ball - Win for gold, win without continues for cherry

The Big Bell Race - Win for gold, place 1st every race for cherry

• Pingolf - Place 1st for gold, place 1st with <0 score for cherry

Any decent run won't be close to 0.

• Mortol II - Win for gold, win with <50 deaths for cherry
• Fist Hell - Win for gold, win without continues for cherry
• Elfazar's Hat - Win for gold, win without continues for cherry
• Campanella 3 - Win for gold, win with 1500+ score for cherry

The bar for the cherry clear is extremely trivial here.

A list of games I think may qualify, but let's wait and see:

• Hot Foot - Win 6 rounds for gold, win with 6 blowouts for cherry

Cherry seems like a simple goal for runners, but I don't know if the game is easy enough that the cherry's never a problem. Currently there are no submitted runs.

• Rock On! Island - Win for gold, win with all levels perfect for cherry

Same deal as Hot Foot.

• Star Waspir - Win 5 rounds for gold, win with 300k+ score for cherry

Same deal as Hot Foot.

If you've read this far, I'd love to know your thoughts on any of this!

With how speedrun.com works, and how the boards are currently set up, I don't think the Cherry category can be removed for specific games. Right now people are just submitting the same runs for Gold and Cherry.

I understand they can't be removed: "I suggest that some games should simply have an empty cherry category--or a "run" providing info as to why it's empty"

the rock on island cherry run is very different from the rock on island gold run

I am a huge fan of the changes that have been made!

By that I mean the addition of gold/cherry runs, no options changes for bushido ball, etc. Why get rid of the quick games/thinky games and such though? I liked those categories