Summer Games Done Quick 2017, the annual game speedrunning marathon for charity, officially begins today with runs including Halo: Combat Evolved, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and Metroid Prime. SGDQ is one of the biannual major speedrunning events held by Games Done Quick, and is quickly becoming one of the largest charity events in gaming.

This year's AGDQ raised a staggering $2.2 million, but SGDQ hopes do better, or at least break last year's $1.2 million summer record. The event is live right now and will go until July 9.

Day 1 of SGDQ 2017 started off with a bang, showcasing a debut speedrun of Nier: Automata. The fun doesn't stop there, though, as Sunday had perhaps one of the best line-ups of the event despite its half-day schedule. Halo: Combat Evolved follows Nier: Automata, with speedrunning favorites Diddy Kong Racing and Luigi's Mansion following soon thereafter. Prime time is filled with a Metroid Prime 100% run and the startlingly fast Castlevania: Symphony of the Night run. Night owls will then be treated to Okami HD.

SGDQ Schedule Highlights

As ever, no single day steals the show at SGDQ. Monday features a combo of Sonic the Hedgehog and Mirrors Edge blocks. Tuesday's got lots of Pokemon, Half-Life, and Resident Evil. Mega Man, Kirby, and 2D platformers like Super Meat Boy, 1001 Spikes, and VVVVVV highlight Wednesday. Thursday can't be missed, as it's scheduled down Mario Kart and 2D Zelda blocks, as well as three different Tetris game runs that should be insane. Friday's Super Metroid race is a must-watch. And Saturday's event-ender is a 4 hour and 40 minute Earthbound run.

This year's SGDQ is supporting one of the event's favorite charities, Doctors Without Borders. The Nobel Peace Prize-awarded humanitarian organization provides emergency aid in nearly 70 countries where catastrophe caused by armed conflict, natural disaster, or simple lack of health care has created need. Funds go to directly supporting the thousands of medical professionals who volunteer their experience to bettering the world through care.

Just several hours into SGDQ 2017, over $65,000 has already been raised for charity. As Games Done Quick always says, watching is outstanding, spreading the word is better, but nothing's as excellent as donating if you're able.

SGDQ 2017 is streaming now live on Twitch. The event began this morning, July 2, at 9:30 PT and will run through July 9 at midnight.