What would be the best way to handle categories starting with a new account? Other gacha games (like Zenless Zone Zero) have categories like this, which may be a good place to look for guidance on rules. Here are some general rules that adapted from ZZZ that seem applicable to Nikki:

1. Runs must be in a full-sized single segmented video showing the whole game screen. Editing is prohibited.
2. Runs must be in a video format that is available permanently to be view by anyone (e.g. Twitch, Youtube, Bilibili).
3. Major glitches are prohibited.
4. Mods of any kind are prohibited.
5. Paid contents are prohibited.
6. Limited time events and contents are prohibited.
7. Mail rewards are prohibited.
8. Resonance gacha is prohibited (except where required by the tutorial).

I think these rules seem good, but maybe we can also have a category that allows gacha on the permanent resonance (blue crystals), but only with currency earned in-game (no cash purchases of stellarite). There is a "Gacha" category for ZZZ that works this way, and would replace the last rule with these:

• Gacha in the "Distant Sea" resonance using Resonite Crystals and/or Diamond's earned in-game are allowed.
• Gacha in time-limited resonance using Revelation Crystals is prohibited.

It seems like the no gacha rules are more popular, but both of these could exist if players were interested.

As for timing, I have a few ideas on what runs could be fun. All of these would start timing when you first gain control of Nikki in the Prologue.

Aurosa%

Timing ends when you craft the final piece of the Wishful Aurosa outfit.

This may be a really really long run, but with good routing it may be a very interesting category. You need to beat the main story with all of its platforming/puzzle segments, but you also need to route in enough whimstars and crafting materials to beat all of the Sovereigns to craft the outfit.

Chigda%

Timing ends when landing the final hit on the boss Chigda in the Wishing Woods.

This is similar to the Aurosa% run, but cuts out any material farming and the long chain of stylist battles needed to beat the Sovereigns. It's a more platforming-focused run, similar to a game like Mario Odyssey.

Cool%

Timing ends when reaching the "Success" screen in the stylist battle against the Sovereign of Cool.

This is like a mini-version of Aurosa% that doesn't require the player to move past Florawish. I suspect this would be a popular category.

Bouldy%

Timing ends when landing the final hit on the boss Bouldy.

A mini-version of Chigda% that also doesn't require a lot of stylist battles.