Remember back in the day? Back when Super Mario Bros. was a thing, and you and your neighbors played for hours and hours without the ability to save?
“Mom, dad – I’m gonna speed-run Super Mario Odyssey on the Switch today! Ok?”
“Ok? It’s Saturday, so do whatever you want…? Need help?”
“Yes – can you time me?”
Having a limited understanding of what speed runs are, we agreed to time Oskar in his attempt to do something we knew little about. After all, he was in our living room, safe, and seemed happy about his attempt.
Three hours later, or “sub-three” as he put it, he was done. Done with what, you ask?
The whole game.
Not just level 2-2 from Super Mario Bros. which is where I tapped out in the 1980s… no, the WHOLE GAME!
Oskar played every level, every mission, every objective. In less than three hours. Unreal.
Turns out there’s even a speed run tracker (https://www.speedrun.com/) where you can log, track, and see others’ attempts.
And here’s the takeaway / reflection…
We’re dealing with different kids these days, with skill sets far beyond those of our childhood. Kids that are able to solve problems, navigate obstacles, and make things happen outside of our own imaginations, and in very different ways than we experienced being 11.
How are you going to deal with that? How can we help them capitalize on their skill? How will the world change from here on out?
“The whole game, Oskar?”
“Yup.”
I stood there in awe for a minute or two, reflecting on my own inadequacy in the videogame arena as a child.
He’s going places, that’s for sure. But likely, not the same places I’ve been, and that’s ok, too! I can’t wait to see what game he speed-runs next…