I know this is a meme game (not easily speedrunnable) but we should add some categories to this.

I recommend that the 'standard' category would be Mixed Terrain, Normal Difficulty, and Small or Normal map size.

Ok so

Variable A - size (small, medium, large) Variable B - type (archipelago, mixed, continent) Variable C - starter ship/ no starter ship

But I do not think anyone wants to actually speedrun a large map

Difficulty doesn't matter that much for a run, except for the ability to have a starter or not, and the type of shipyard you get as a starter, which is mildly insignificant and will be obsolete very soon due to a huge content update where the shipyards are all equalised and you have to build them up with cash. Veasy easy and normal are practically indistinguishable from eachother as well. Hard is slightly harder and Vhard is the first difficulty without a starter up to Imperial.

Research should always be normal and at a t0 start in my opinion, it won't matter much except for higher tiers, but that is a very unsual type of play.

Monsters have little bearin on the speedruns.

As a first category I'd suggest Small Mixed w/Starter and Small Mixed wo/Starter

New here, but I'm pretty interested in the idea of speedrunning A:CTS.

A problem I want to bring to the table is if the inclusion of pre-built crafts, specifically, player made, are allowed or not.

Personally, pre-built crafts should probably have category splits, which would either allow players to build crafts before starting a campaign or having to build crafts during the campaign using the designer.

Ok, finally making the categories

hello, I wanted to ask if this is still actively used ? I would like to make a run but mut the new diplomecy settings.

my idea for a few new category:

become emperator

• must win by being crowned emperator
• quick orders, direct control. reputation. diplomacy, coronation victory, logistics and optional autocombat must be active
• monster and research on normal
• start technology on 1

conquest+aliance

• quick orders, direct control, reputation, diplomacy, logistics and optional autocombat must be active
• monster and research on normal
• start technology on 1
• aliances etc are allowed -no crowning victory

Land conquest

• quick orders, direct control, reputation, diplomacy, logistics and optional autocombat must be active
• monster and research on normal
• start technology on 1
• aliances etc are allowed
• no airships may be built, the starting ship (if it is an airship) must be destroyed.

Diplomatic conquest.

• quick orders, direct control, reputation, diplomacy, logistics and optional autocombat must be active.
• monster and research on normal
• start technology on 1
• aliances etc are allowed
• no war may be declared by the player
• spies may be used freely
• you may only conquer a country that has declared war on you
• obtaining land through diplomacy is allowed.
• to support an allied AI in sieges is allowed