Games Done Quick's Back to Black event returns in February
Alright, listen up, squad—the speedrunning calendar just dropped its next major event, and it's looking absolutely fire. Games Done Quick, the absolute legends who just wrapped their 2025 marathon for Doctors Without Borders, have officially announced the schedule for Back to Black 2026, and we're all tuning in from February 5th to the 8th.This isn't just another speedrun event; this is a full-blown celebration of the Black community in gaming, masterfully organized by the incredible crew at Black in a Flash. They're taking over the GDQ stage to showcase an entirely Black lineup of runners tearing through everything from the hottest new releases to deep-cut classics, and it's a vibe you do not want to miss.The schedule itself is a thing of beauty, a perfectly curated playlist of pain and glory. We're talking about someone taking on *Hades II*—yeah, the same game that just cleaned up at The Game Awards and is basically everyone's 2025 Game of the Year.Imagine the sheer skill required to blitz through Supergiant's roguelike masterpiece while chat is spamming 'POG' in the background. Then, for the true masochists in the audience, we have a run of *Cuphead*.Let that sink in. This is a game that has broken the spirits of countless players who had all the time in the world, and now a speedrunner is going to style on it live for charity.The sheer audacity is breathtaking. But it's not all about the modern bangers.The schedule is packed with nostalgia trips that hit right in the feels. We've got *Donkey Kong Country*, a platforming titan that defined a generation; *Street Fighter 2*, the fighting game that started it all; and *Sonic Heroes*, a chaotic blast from the past.And for the real connoisseurs of the obscure, they're even running *Mr. Bones*, the gloriously weird 1996 Sega Saturn title that is basically a fever dream set to music.This is the kind of deep-cut content that makes GDQ so special—it's not just about the popular games, but about preserving and celebrating the entire, wonderfully weird history of our medium. The best part? All of this high-level gameplay is for an incredible cause.This year's Back to Black event is once again supporting Race Forward, a powerhouse nonprofit dedicated to building racial equity and justice. Last year's event managed to raise a staggering $44,000 for their work, and with this lineup, the community is poised to smash that record.It's a powerful reminder of what makes the gaming world so unique: our ability to come together, celebrate incredible talent, and use our shared passion to make a tangible difference in the real world. So, set your reminders, follow the runners on socials, and get ready to spam that donate button.This is more than a stream; it's a testament to community, culture, and the absolute art of the speedrun. Let's go!.
#featured
#Games Done Quick
#speedrunning
#charity
#Black in a Flash
#Race Forward
#Hades II
#Cuphead
